Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

Camp Pendleton, Calif. -- More than 600 Marines and sailors ran the 20th annual World Famous Mud Run as a part of the Commanding General’s Cup here June 7.

The service members entered in teams of five or individually and trudged through 6.2 miles of dirt, mud and off-road obstacles.

“The Mud Run is supported by the Marine Corps Community Services team and the money we raise here pays for the CG’s Cup and makes all the other races here free for Marines to enter,” said Brig. Gen. Vincent A. Coglianese, base commanding general and regional authority for five Marine Corps installations in the southwestern United States. “Marines motivate me all the time. The mud and motivation on their faces and sense of pride make all this worth doing.”

Team MCRD San Diego from Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego was the first place finisher to come in with an unofficial time of one hour four minutes and eleven seconds.

“This race was fun and I had a good time out here with the Marines,” said Gunnery Sgt. Dale Nissen, team captain and operations chief with Headquarters and Service Battalion. “The hardest part was keeping everyone together and motivating them.”

Each team was required to cross the finish line with their arms interlocked, signifying they had completed the run together.

“It felt really good to finish first because we saw small groups of people, but I was excited to see that we were the first whole team to cross the finish line,” said Nissen, a Nebraska native.

The teams were tested by obstacles and mud pits along the trail and to some, the most important thing was sticking together.

“My team motivated me the entire way,” said Cpl. Zack Zoller, a member of the winning team and finance officer. “I started falling behind toward the end and another team almost caught us, but they pulled me through to help us come away with the win.”

Camp Pendleton’s senior enlisted advisor shared his thoughts on the importance of team work.

“The Mud Run is important because it gives the Marines a chance to build some camaraderie and compete as a team for the CG’s cup,” said Sgt. Maj. Derrick Christovale, “This is a big event for the base, and it’s great for the participants to be able to come out and have a great time. As Marines, we work hard and we play hard.”

Competitive spirit is something that is tested among all the runners.

“Competition is part of our DNA as Marines, and it brings out the very best in us,” said Coglianese. “Physical fitness and mental and physical toughness is what we’re all about.”