HURRICANE – Hundreds of runners from all over the state met to tackle the inaugural Hurricane Mud Run Saturday. Way out in the middle of the desert, a couple miles south of downtown Hurricane, wave after wave of muddy runners ran, crawled, and slid their way through multiple military-style obstacles along a 5K course.
“It’s nice to see people have fun,” Race Organizer Chris Mathisen said. “We built this course to get them muddy. We like to get them muddy.”
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Videocast by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
This time of the year the calendar is riddled with a wide range of races for all skill levels, but the National Guard sponsored Hurricane Mud Run is one for everyone. College students, local ROTC groups, and even families hit the trail. Obstacles included a mud crawl, a rope swing, a flat wall, and plenty of mud.
“It’s a little bit of a challenge,” Staff Sargent Kelton Hansen said. “But mostly for people to come out and have fun.”
Many runners attend these races in groups, which provide mutual support, and an occasional, much-needed boost to get through the various challenges.
“It felt like it was raining mud,” Runner Valerie Gallegos said. “When we were crawling through the mud it was crazy; we would turn a corner and there would be another surprise.”
Water trucks patrolled the course to keep the mud flowing, and runners guessing. Meanwhile, members of the local National Guard lined the course to help runners, and insure the safety of the course.
In addition to the opportunity to run the race, National Guard recruiters hope to draw attention to their efforts in the area, and encourage those interested in serving their country to get in touch with them for more information.
Organizers of the event are planning on making the Hurricane Mud Run an annual event.
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National Guard sponsored Hurricane Mud Run drew 400 runners for the muddy 5K obstacle course, Hurricane, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
National Guard sponsored Hurricane Mud Run drew 400 runners for the muddy 5K obstacle course, Hurricane, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
National Guard sponsored Hurricane Mud Run drew 400 runners for the muddy 5K obstacle course, Hurricane, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Hurricane Mud Run obstacle course, Hurricane, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
National Guard sponsored Hurricane Mud Run drew 400 runners for the muddy 5K obstacle course, Hurricane, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
National Guard sponsored Hurricane Mud Run drew 400 runners for the muddy 5K obstacle course, Hurricane, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
National Guard sponsored Hurricane Mud Run drew 400 runners for the muddy 5K obstacle course, Hurricane, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
National Guard sponsored Hurricane Mud Run drew 400 runners for the muddy 5K obstacle course, Hurricane, Utah, April 20, 2013 | Photo by Chris Caldwell, St. George News
Resources
Website: NationalGuard.com
Contact: Staff Sargent Kelton Hansen 435-272-2454
Website: Hurricane Mud Run
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