MARINE CORPS CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Men and women crossed the finish line wearing filthy smiles and a couple of pounds of mud at the World Famous Mud Run at Lake O’Neil, June 7.
Sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services and a part of Camp Pendleton’s Hard Corps Race Series, more than 4,000 runners laced up their running shoes for the 10k course that included, tire obstacles, river crossings, two 5-foot walls surrounded by mud and water, tunnel crawls, slippery hill climbs, and finally a 30-foot mud pit that contestants had to conquer before completion of the course. The Mud Run course, which was constructed by MCCS, took six months of preparation to complete.
“Every year this race gets better and better. If you live on or around Pendleton and haven’t ran yet, you are missing out on a whole lot of fun,” said Angela C. Anderson, military spouse, Camp Pendleton.
There were also plenty of activities for those not running in the race. Wall climbs, raffles, games, food and beverages were provided by MCCS for family members and friends who attended to support the runners.
Wrapping up the dirty work, MCCS provided commemorative t-shirts as a token of appreciation for finishing the race. Closed-off showers and changing tents were also provided so runners could clean up and enjoy the rest of the afternoon with their families and friends.
“My husband has run in the race every year since we moved here. Bringing the kids along is no problem, because there is so much for us to do while he’s out running,” said Kimberly A. Barnes, military spouse, Camp Pendleton.
Race organizers also had to put together a staff that consisted of more than 200 service members and 60 civilian employees to help set up booths and help runners navigate through the course.
“The Mud Run was wonderful,” said Anderson. “Every year they add something new and different to make it more exciting for people to come.”
Blind Start of America participated by entering 12 teams into the race.
On each of the 12 teams, three legally-blind contestants ran along side other runners, resulting in all 60 runners completing the course successfully.
The top three finishers this year received medals, and depending on which category they ran, the top finisher received a plaque in that class. Points for the 2009 Hard Corps Race Series were also awarded to the top ten overall male and female finishers in both military and civilian categories.
“This year’s Mud Run went extremely well,” said Anthony D. Carson, Mud Run race director, MCCS. “With the support of the service members, Camp Pendleton Fire Department and Provost Marshalls Office, the race was a total success.”