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closeIt’s time to get ‘Down & Dirty’
Popular mud run series returns on Armed Forces Day, offers 5.2K course full of water, slop and obstacles
By Matt Smith, Northwest Guardian
Jason Kaye/Northwest Guardian File
Michael Truong climbs out of the mud pit during last year’s mud run.
Where: Behind Soldiers Field House
Time: May 17, 9 a.m.
Cost: Active duty, family members and retirees — $5;
DOD ID card holders — $10;
Civilians $20;
Active duty, family member and retiree teams — $15;
DOD ID card holder teams — $30; Civilian teams — $60.
For information: 967-2604
It seems as though every special event the Army has gets kicked off with some sort of run. Armed Forces Day will be no different. The type of run, however, will be a little more on the dirty side than most races.
Fort Lewis Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation is sponsoring the first of two scheduled “Down & Dirty Mud Runs” May 17 at 9 a.m. The second event will be July 4.
“(Runners) need to bring their best rags because there’s 5.2K of trail with plenty of hills, obstacles and lots of mud,” said FMWR sports programmer Dale Eichhorst. “Definitely expect to get dirty and have a fun time doing it.”
The course is set up behind Soldiers Field House with a pit filled with water as well as smaller obstacles full of mud spread throughout the course. Most of the obstacles will be tackled at the beginning of the race.
This year’s mud run takes the place of what used to be a 12K run that served as a qualifier for the Sound to Narrows Run. Eichhorst cited lack of interest as the reason for the change.
“Things started dying off with (the 12K run),” he said, “and we wanted to put some new runs in anyway and we came up with the mud runs and they’ve been more popular.”
The race is open to Soldiers as well as the public. The deadline for registration was May 7, but those wanting to compete may still register up to May 14 for an additional $10 late fee.
Medals will be awarded to the top three finishers in each age group as well as to the top three teams. All members from each team must finish the race together.
Racers can pick up their packets beginning at 7:30 a.m. in the Soldiers Field House parking lot. Call the Fort Lewis FMWR at 967-2604 for more information on the race.