Mud, Fun & Obstacles!
Since its debut in January 2012, The Color Run has exploded and splattered its own brand of Technicolor happiness across the running community. From more than 50 events and 600,000 participants in 2012 to more than 100 events and an expected 1 million participants in 2013, The Color Run has inspired a whole new genre in the running community. As 2013 wears on, it’s going getting harder and harder to run a 5k without getting a little paint on your clothes, or mud, or foam, for that matter. It seems there’s no limiting what race directors can literally throw at you or have chase you (zombies!) during an event. While races like the Spartan Beast are busy redefining endurance sports, much like triathlon did to the running community in the 1970s, the defining element of shorter distance races seems to be “fun” and, of course, fitness – a 5k is still a 5k, no matter how many obstacles stand in your way. So, this year we’ve expanded our guide to include the new genre of fun-themed events.
Race Key
Distance defines cost at most running events and triathlons, but not so at
obstacle races. Sometimes, there are zombies! You’d want to know that,
right? You would also want to know if you’re going to party like you’re at
Woodstock (the muddy one, of course) after the race. To help you pick
the best race, we created a key for a few defining aspects of mud runs.
Mud – Don’t wear your best clothes – there will be mud!
Flame – Leave the marshmallows at home ’cause you’re jumping this flame!
Music – Bring a Q-tip to swab the mud from your ears, there’s gonna be music!
Beer – If you are of legal age to consume alcohol, get a free beer.
(Purchase required at some events. Check the race website or bring $$ just in case.)
Color – Wear white and go home with a Jackson Pollack-inspired shirt.
Zombie – Don’t have a Zombie Survival Kit? Get one! You’ll need it here!
Ninja – Mastered your one-finger hand-stand push-up yet? You better if you want to beat the Ninja!
Brave Soldier Challenge
Greensboro – April 6
Raleigh – April 13
Fayetteville – April 28
The Brave Soldier Challenge consists of two separate event elements: one focusing on strength and endurance and a second focusing on strength and agility. Each event element is made up of several challenges that will test competitors’ speed, strength, endurance and agility. Among the challenges in the strength and endurance element are a tractor tire flip, a weight plate carry and a one-mile run. The challenges in the strength and agility element include a wall climb, suicide sprints, a box jump and a cargo net climb.
Color Mania
Raleigh – April 6
Music, Color
The Color Mania 5K fun run will have you and your friends going crazy with color in the most exciting color-filled day of your lives! Did we mention we had color – and lots of it! At Color Mania, YOU are the canvas, and when you’re finished with this event you’ll be an exciting and original masterpiece. So, share this with your friends and let everyone know about the Color Mania 5K run.
Project Mud
Virginia Beach, VA – April 6
Charleston, SC – April 27
Mud, Music
Project Mud is a rugged and challenging obstacle adventure race designed for people of all athletic abilities. The 5k course with 18-plus signature obstacles will test your strength and endurance. Whether this is your first adventure or you’re an obstacle run junkie, you will have a ton of fun conquering the Project Mud battle field. Beer is available for sale to those 21 years of age or older. Bring an ID and some beer money!
Color the Hill Run
Chapel Hill – April 13
Color
The Color the Hill 5K and Fun Run is the wackiest time you can have on a cross-country course! Make sure you show up at the start line as a blank canvas – white attire is best. Then run, walk, skip or dance your way to the finish line while you move through a rainbow of fun. All ages, skills, sizes and shapes are welcome and having a blast at the Color the Hill event is what it’s all about. By the finish line, you’ll look like a Jackson Pollock painting! As you make your way through the 5k course and encounter five color stations along the way – green, purple, yellow, pink and blue – you’ll be blitzed with non-toxic color by our volunteers. The finish line will feature an epic color extravaganza! Extra color packets will be for sale onsite – or order yours when you register today and catch your friends off guard.
Filthy Fun
Sanford – April 13
Mud, Music, Beer
The Filthy Fun Mud Run promises pain, glory and more muddy memories than you’ll be able to remember! The rugged terrain is loaded with everything your mother DIDN’T want you to play with, creating an extreme off-road run for you to conquer … or be conquered by! Are you ready to get dirty? Each course has a unique design and style to make it filthy and fun! Once you are done roughing up the course we throw a post-race festival with live music, beer, food and vendors where you can hang with other crazy mud lovers.
Rugged Maniac
Greensboro – April 20
Mud, Flame, Music, Beer
Looking for your next adventure? Sign up for the Rugged Maniac and you’ll get a chance to run the 3.1-mile course filled with 20-plus obstacles designed to push you to your limits! While waiting for your turn on the course, you’ll get to hang out with thousands of other maniacs in the festival area, where you can ride mechanical bulls, play muddy tug-of-war, pretend to be a kid in our adult bounce houses, or just hang out and listen to the bands while enjoying some tasty food or beverages. Rugged Maniac courses feature at least 20 obstacles constructed by a crew of licensed contractors. These aren’t pop-up kiddie obstacles! You’ll climb over walls up to 20 feet high, slide down a 100-foot water slide, jump over fire, crawl through tunnels of mud and face a host of other challenges. Rugged Maniac limits each wave of runners to 300 maniacs to avoid overcrowding.
