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SATURDAY, MAY 20, 2023
War Memorial Park – 8 am

Here’s the Down & Dirty . . .

Created for those who think a little differently about this runnin’ stuff.  Definitely NOT your average 5K, the Mud Run is for those with an adventuresome spirit.

Participants run, walk, skip, trot and even cavort through our 5K(ish – please refer to helpful hints section for the clarification of “ish”) course, which winds through the scenic trails of War Memorial Park, then finish with a spectacular frolic (yes style points are given to participants when they enter the pit) through our world-renowned mud pit, which is filled with that amazing (and organic) Arkansas mud.

The point is not to finish fast but to finish with style.

About Our Mud*
For centuries, mud from the Pit has been the beauty secret for countless women.  Found exclusively in the Mud Run, our mud is packed with the finest organic ingredients (i.e. sticks, grass, a few rocks, couple roots, a sock, shoes left over from last year’s race) that tone, soften and clarify.  The Mud Run Mud will leave your visibly dirty as you emerge from the pit as a goddess.  Your skin will appear younger, smoother, and more radiant with your first treatment.  Hoity toity spa treatments like a romp through our Mud would cost you a squillion, but you can take advantage of our exclusive do-it-yourself spa treatment for the mere price of admission into the Mud Run.

*disclaimer – due to the silly nature of the Mud Run any and all statements are conjecture based on the time of day or mood of race officials.

Don’t Wait – Act NOW! When the word gets out on how great our Mud is, we will have to charge a squillion dollars too, then hire some guy named Oliver to tell you how fabulous you look, and then turn people away ’cause we are just too exclusive for our own good.

Race Day Timeline (ish applies)
7:00 am    Late Registration Opens/Packet Pick Up
7:50 pm    Presentation of Official Types (very important)
7:55 pm    Rules and All Other Silly Stuff (yes that’s important too!)
8:01ish pm    Official Race Start
8:25 pm    Mud Bug Start
8:45 pm    Awards Ceremony & Other Official Stuff

Fees (no refunds – no transfers – no whining)

Category Before Race Day Race Day
The Mudiac  $30 $40
The Mud Bug $30 $40
The Mud Nerd $25 $35

Participant Amenities
The Mud Run is a project of and benefits Little Rock Parks & Recreation. We are incredibly grateful to all of you who participate the following amenities are included in your registration fee.

The Mudiac:
For the ultimate “all in” adventure seeker.
  *  the highly prized Mud Run shirt
  *  official race number
  *  a scenic cross-country course
  *  all the flora and fauna of a spring morning
  *  mostly helpful volunteers
  *  the best time you’ve had in 6 months
  *  respect of all in attendance – It’s pretty awesome
  *  Mud – rich Mud Run Mud

The Mud Bug:
Part party animal. Part spectator.  For the enthusiast that doesn’t need to run, but wants to play in the Mud. Bring your lawn chair.  No running required.
  *  the highly prized Mud Run shirt
  *  special start after the general field
  *  really nice volunteers
  *  a really great time
  *  Mud – plenty of Mud Run Mud

The Mud Nerd (no shirt):
For the athlete that does not want a shirt, but wants to part of the festivities.
  *  official race number
  *  a scenic cross-country course
  *  all the flora and fauna of an Arkansas Summer evening
  *  mostly helpful volunteers
  *  a good time
  *  Mud – rich Mud Run Mud

Packet Pick Up
TBA

Photos
Pictures?  Oh yes, there will be pictures.  Don’t worry about carrying your cell phone because you could loose it in the mud pit.  RBSPics Photography will take care of making sure your stroll through the mud is captured.   Official photos will be available 24 hours after the race.  CLICK HERE for more information or to view your proofs.

Competition Categories and Awards
Only the top three men and top three women will be timed – unless we forget to start the clock (then we give it a pretty good guess).

Anyways, awards will be given as follows:

  • Top three fastest (men & women)
  • Cleanest (just one of those)
  • Dirtiest (Adult & Child)
  • Best Costume (Adult & Child)
  • Best Entrance Into The Pit
  • Best Performance While In the Pit
                                 . . . and much, much more

Rules of Competition
Every sport has silly rules, official commandments, or an unwritten code of conduct.  Annoying right? The Mud Run is no exception.  The Mud Run has more of what you’d call ‘guidelines‘ than actual rules.  Here are a few of the guidelines:

  • “ish” is defined as sorta; somewhat; in a way; not exactly; near or about; approximately.
  • Everything is an “ish”.
  • Organizers reserve the right to add an “ish” as needed.
  • REALLY – The only thing serious about our race is THE MUD!

Course, Timing, and Time Limits

  • The course is 3.1ish miles.
  • The course is considered a cross country course.  The surface is mowed grass and old golf cart paths.  Course could have chug holes, rocks, tree roots, crazy clowns, and garden gnomes.
  • Timing is important so we will try to remember to start a clock, but chances are we will forget.  So if you want to keep track of your time, then start your watch.
  • Probably an hour.  The mosquitoes will carry you off the later you go.

Helpful Hints, Useful Tips, Inklings, Ponderings, Sage Advice, Suggestions

  • The Mud Run has its own vernacular.  See Definition section if you are interested.
  • Wear your grungy clothes and old sneakers, because more than likely they won’t be going home with you. There will be a free rinse off area. 
  • Bring a big trash bag (unless you want your car trashed).
  • Leave your jewelry at home (someone lost a diamond ring in 2011).
  • Drink fluids before and after the race.
  • Bug spray is highly recommended.  It is Arkansas. 
  • Do Not dive head first into the mud pit (although points are given to the most artistic entrance into the pit).
  • This is a fun run so help your neighbor if he or she needs it.
  • No pushing, shoving, crying, or biting while in the pit.
  • There will be medical staff at the finish line.
  • Small children or small animals should not go in the pit unattended (in 2012 someone lost their dog in the pit – looking for a lost diamond ring. Fear not – the dog was found. The ring was not so lucky.)
  • No metal detectors in the pit (remember we found the dog).
  • Wear a cool costume (come on – all the kids are doing it).
  • No roller blades, no whining, small horses, no grumpy people.
  • Baby strollers are discouraged unless you have an all-terrain stroller. 
  • If a course marshal looks confused – take that as a sign that you may be taking a wrong turn.
  • If a course marshal is laughing uncontrollably he or she may have knowingly turned you the wrong way or you had a wardrobe malfunction. We love course marshals.
  • “Obstacles” add to the fun and excitement of the race. We may or may not have obstacles this year.  It really depends on how creative we get and if we get a sponsor to pay for them.
  • If there are obstacles, only the CIC knows what the obstacles are until the race officially begins.
    HINT-HINT-WINK-WINK-NUDGE-NUDGE.  The organizers of the Mud Run truly believe that stepping up to the start line of any race should be a celebration of the human spirit.  Since its inception, the Mud Run has maintained the highest standard of silliness, coupled with a huge helping of organized chaos, equality, and humor.   The race staff is sworn to secrecy and will not tell you what the “obstacle” is.  However, flowers and candy have worked in the past when participants wanted to get the competitive edge so they could win the highly coveted Mud Run Crown.

Other Incredibly Compelling Information

  • Mud Marshals have “ultimate power”. If you do not crawl through the mud pit properly or if you do not execute the “obstacle” properly, they will send you back through.
  • You must ask the Mud Marshals for permission to enter the mud pit a second time.
  • Our Mud Marshals will escort participants caught trying to skip the mud pit through the pit.

Definitions

  • Vernacular: the language spoken by the people of the Mud; silly nonsense stuff we made up.
  • Ish: defined as a kinda-sorta; somewhat; in a way; not exactly; near or about; approximately.
  • Chick-In-Charge (aka CIC):  person in charge; the big kahuna or big enchilada; task master.
  • Mud Marshal: refers to an individual that has been designated to by the Goddess to ensure all individuals entering the Pit are good and dirty; having ultimate power.
  • Mojo Stick:  a scepter carried by the Goddess as a symbol of her sovereignty over the Pit.
  • The Pit:  that of stories and legends; filled with magically substances which when traversed will give the participant a source of energy and/or well-being.
  • Majestic Mud Mountain:  a mystical place where individuals claim to attain, or believe in the possibility of attaining, insight into mysteries transcending ordinary human knowledge, as by direct communication with the divine or immediate intuition in a state of spiritual ecstasy.

The Legend of Brian the Barbarian
Once upon a time there was this really fast guy that ran the first Mud Run in 2003.  Let’s call him Brian the Barbarian (aka Brian Bariola –  a really fast dude).  Well Brian the Barbarian was at least 2 miles ahead of the rest of the field.  The CIC did not think it was very sporting to have Brian beat the entire field by such a large margin. So with a wave of her magic Mud Run Mojo Stick, she issued the decree from high atop Majestic Mud Mountain and the course was magically changed in the middle of the race. Thus, saving thousands the humiliation of being beat like a rented mule.  Brian still won the race, got a few extra miles in, and everyone lived happily ever after. 

Volunteers
What’s the next best thing to participating in the Mud Run?  Being a volunteer of course!

CLICK HERE to see the open Volunteer positions and to register.

Questions
Geneva Lamm | CIC
E-Mail 

Mike Garrity | Race Director
E-Mail

Brandy Dixon | Volunteers
E-Mail