It is pretty hard to look at Facebook these days and not see one of your friends participating in an Obstacle Course Race. Events like the Warrior Dash, Tough Mudder and Spartan Race have catapulted their brands to the forefront of recreational athletics through the use of social media. To their credit, these particular races succeeded where many, many other have failed. This might lead you to believe that they are the forefathers of OCR but, the roots of tackling muddy obstacle courses for fun go back much farther. Before becoming the proving ground for a new kind of fun sport, obstacle course were used for training military members. So, it should be no surprise, that the first obstacle course race for fun here in the United States took place at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California. I was lucky enough to be apart of that race with three good friends. While the big three races mentioned above continue to dominate social media great local events like the Armed Services YMCA Mud Run in Virginia Beach are representing the roots of OCR in true military fashion. So, to help you find the best race for you, we put together this guide that highlights the key elements of each genre.
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 are 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.
Don’t wear your best clothes – there will be mud!
Leave the marshmallows at home ’cause you’re jumping this flame!
Bring a Q-tip to swab the mud from your ears, there’s gonna be music!
If you are of legal age to consume alcohol, there’s beer. (Purchase required at some events. Check the race website or bring $$ just in case.)
Wear white and go home with a Jackson Pollack-inspired shirt.
Don’t have a Zombie Survival Kit? Get one! You’ll need it here!
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MARSOC Mud, Sweat & Tears 5-Mile Mud Run | Camp Lejeune, NC – April 23
Mud, Sweat & Tears is exactly what you will get when you run this 5-mile mud run. The Marines from Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC) pride themselves on physical superiority and mental toughness. See if you can hang with them! The Mud, Sweat & Tears off-road course includes forest terrain, dirt paths, winding trails, fallen tree obstacles and mud! For 5 miles, this challenging race will test your strength, stamina and endurance. Be forewarned – you will be challenged! For registration form and for more information, visit mccslejeune.com/grandprix or email at lejgrandprix@usmc-mccs.org.
The Claytor Lake Ness Monster | Dublin, VA – April 23
The Claytor Lake Ness Monster is a challenging, but doable obstacle course race featuring 3-4 miles of wild terrain and wicked obstacles. For those who want to challenge themselves beyond a fun run this is YOUR event. Held at beautiful Claytor Lake State Park in Dublin, Va., you can expect at least cold water, sand, mud, climbing, crawling and more.
The Color Run | Roanoke-Salem, VA – April 23
The Color Run was founded in March 2011 as an event to promote healthiness and happiness by bringing the community together to participate in the “Happiest 5k on the Planet”. They are the original paint race and have created a completely new genre of running events that continues to grow exponentially. Now the single largest event series in the world, The Color Run has exploded since their debut event.
Rugged Maniac | Petersburg, VA – May 7
Rugged Maniac is returning to Virginia Motorsports Park with 25 epic obstacles and one rockin’ party! You’ll get a chance to run our 3-mile course where you’ll climb towers of shipping containers, rocket down a massive water slide, crawl through underground tunnels, leap over fire and experience some BIG new obstacles, like trampolines! As if that weren’t awesome enough, before and after you run you’ll get to party with thousands of other maniacs in their day-long festival where you can ride mechanical bulls, pretend to be a kid in adult bounce houses, dance in the festival and enjoy lots of new games and activities!
Warrior Dash | Mechanicsville, MD – May 14
Warrior Dash is one of the world’s largest obstacle race series, held on the most rugged terrain in more than 50 locations across the globe. Participants earn their Warrior helmet by tackling a fierce 3-4 mile course and 12 extreme obstacles. After conquering the Battleground, Warriors celebrate with turkey legs, beer steins, and live music at a post-race party in a league of its own.
Dirty Girl 5K Mud Run | Virginia Beach, VA – May 22
The Dirty Girl Mud Run Series is a 3.1 mile (ish) obstacle course run for women of all fitness levels. If you’re an uber cross fitter looking to make your weekend even more challenging, then the Dirty Girl Mud Run has a place for you. Over 900,000 women of all ages, shapes, sizes, and athletic backgrounds have completed this incredibly fun obstacle course since it’s debut in 2011. Some run to challenge themselves, some make it a girls’ weekend and tailgate in the parking lot before the run, most run in memory of a loved one who lost their battle with cancer, or OUR HERO’S – Those who have looked cancer in the eye, kicked it’s ass and are celebrating their health at our start line. The Dirty Girl Mud Run is for every lady out there.
Tough Mudder Virginia | Doswell, VA – June 11
Built upon Virginia’s scenic rolling countryside, Tough Mudder Virginia Presented by Merrell features 10 – 12 miles across rolling fields, meandering trails, deep mud pits and more than 20 of the most epic, world-class obstacles ever seen on a mud run course. Conveniently located right off I-95, the only place you and your team are going to need help navigating to is the finish line. With terrain ranging from swampy wetlands to heavily-wooded forest trails, this Tough Mudder is an all American classic. You don’t have to be a professional athlete to cross the finish line, but there are no free rides on this track.
FEATURED EVENT – Armed Services YMCA Mud Run | Virginia Beach – August 6
Whether you are 22 or 72, this run is challenging and rewarding while maintaining a family friendly atmosphere. This challenging 8K course winds through sand dunes, and a variety of coastal terrains with obstacles like a low crawl, a 5-foot wall, a series of beach barricades, and mud pits and some new obstacles for the 15th anniversary all before coming into the homestretch. Come out and see where America’s finest train every day and run a few miles in their shoes. There will be a Post Race Beach Party which will include beer (for athletes 21 & older), activities for children, music, pizza, and of course the gorgeous Chesapeake Bay to cool you off after your run! Plan to join organizers at the post race celebration with the whole family! Non-participants can enjoy food and drinks with the purchase of a “CHEER BAND” at the Expo for just $5. Race time is 8:05 am on Saturday morning and it is HIGHLY recommended you give yourself plenty of time! There will be gate traffic at the entrance to the base and parking time. Please arrive by 7:00. Complete parking instructions with maps and base passes will be included in the packets you receive at the EXPO. Your race bib and t-shirts will be at the EXPO as well. For more information and complete details visit http://www.asymcamudrun.com/home.html or check out their Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/ASYMCAMudRun.
The Helgramite Hustle 5K Mud Run at Smith River Fest | Axton, VA – August 13
A fun, muddy, slippery obstacle course for all ages. Walk, trot, run … or do the Hustle! The Helgramite Hustle Mud Run will accommodate both competitive runners and individuals, families and teams looking for fun. Your entry fee includes race swag, on course aid stations, finisher’s medals for all, post race food and drink, and free admission to Smith River Fest. Held at the Smith River Sports Complex, there is something for everyone at the Smith River Fest, including a river float and bikes for individuals of all ages, as well as a climbing wall and bounce house, food, crafts, demonstrations, and music. There will be a craft beer garden open from 11am to 5pm.
The Color Vibe 5K | Richmond, VA – September 17
Get ready for one of the most colorful fun-filled days of your life! You’ll have more color on you than your happy levels can handle! So get your friends and family stretched out for this amazing color blast event where you’ll get blasted with color while you run the Color Vibe 5K.
Spartan Race | Nellysford, VA – September 24-25
Held at the Wintergreen Resort, this race boasts some of the most thrilling 11,000 acres in the Mid-Atlantic for Spartans to race! Nestled atop the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains, it is one of the most challenging courses in the Spartan line-up. Test your mettle on the slopes with 8+ miles of obstacles, hills and barbed wire. The Spartan Super (Saturday) is 8-10 miles in distance and features 24-29 obstacles. The Spartan Sprint (Sunday) is 3-5 miles and features 20-23 obstacles. A Kid’s Race is also available.
The Blood and Guts Run | Centreville, VA – October 22
The Blood and Guts Run is an all-ages event that encourages participants to fight their way through a unique course by climbing over the Wall of Death, zooming down the Water Slide, and trudging through Blood Filled Foam! You will be chased by blood-squirting zombies as they try to shoot you with their blood-filled water guns. Once you cross the finish line, you’ll be rewarded with a custom made T-shirt! You will have access to entertainment, food trucks, and wild costume competitions.
Battle Frog Obstacle Race | Richmond, VA – October 29
They say ‘Virginia is for Lovers’, and BattleFrog is coming to the state’s capital to spread the OCR love. Bring your friends and family, and you too will fall for America’s sweetheart obstacle race series.The BattleFrog course is a total test for people of all fitness levels from ages 13 and up. The approximate 8K course will take you through 22+ military-inspired obstacles that will be sure to test your body, mind and spirit. Volunteers and race officials are throughout the course to motivate you through the obstacles and to give your all. Nervous about not being able to complete an obstacle? After you’ve given your best effort, you can do (10) 8-count bodybuilders and continue conquering the rest of the course!
