Basically, it's like any other running competition, except there's mud ... and lots of it too! And obstacles; barricades to climb over, ropes to crawl under, a climbing wall to scale, and then some. It's a 5km run up the hill, down the hill, through the shallow sections of the lake, all while dodging low branches and scrambling over exposed tree roots.
I thougth about scratching from the race, because my knee had kept me from training. I also worried about reinjuring my knee, but in the end I couldn't resist and so with my knee covered with gauze and plastic I decided to make a go for it.
The fun started at the metro station. To allow emergency vehicles access to the park, they rerouted all traffic, forcing people to take the metro. Imagine my surprise when a bunch of big, yellow schoolbuses showed up to take us to the park! I've always wanted to ride on a schoolbus ...
View from inside the bus. It was noise and bumpy, but something you have to experience at least once.
The setting for this year's Runamuck was the beautiful Lake Needwood section of Rock Creek Regional Park.
Off we go!
This lovely mess is waiting at the finish line ... no way to finish unless you crawl through it.
The crowd goes wild when someone's going through the mud.
Somehow I managed to run the entire thing without stopping. It took me 7 minutes longer than the last time I ran a 5k, but that was 2 years ago after months of practice and on city streets without obstacles. Not bad all things considered! My (light blue in case you can't tell) top didn't survive the ordeal. I'm considering keeping my shoes for next year, but that's all they're good for.
Did I mention there's also a costumed division?!? That'll be me next year!
Trip summary:
Rating: 9/10
Distance: 16 mi
Time spent: 5 hours
Entrance fees: $40 to run; free to watch
More information: http://www.runamuckfestival.com/
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