GLENWOOD - Fourteen area women recently walked, ran, climbed and crawled through mud to raise money for breast cancer at the Dirty Girl 5K Mud Run obstacle course held at the Kissing Bridge Ski Lodge.
A portion of all the proceeds from the mud run are donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
With the weather forecast calling for rain throughout the day and into the evening, the 14 women (who selected Muddy Mess as their team name) said the down pour didn't hamper their enthusiasm or purpose to finish the hour-and-a-half obstacle course.
Article Photos
In front, from left are: Muddy Mess team coordinator Heather Cater, Shannon Pelow, Jennifer Wendel, Shelly O’Boyle. In back, from left are: Linda Johnson, breast cancer survivor; Melissa Dorchak, Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer survivor; Lynn Catalano; Pamela Pelow; Gail Paluh, breast cancer survivor; Bobbie Jo Carlson, breast cancer survivor; Barbara Counts; Mary Beth Wuebbolt; Andrea O’Boyle; and Emilia D’Angelo. The team completed the Dirty Girl 5K Mud Run Obstacle Course at Kissing Bridge Ski Lodge to raise money for breast cancer.
"We were a muddy mess," giggled Linda Johnson, breast cancer survivor who finished the last muddy water pit of the course holding onto the hands of her thirteen teammates. "I really didn't know too much about the event although it sounded like fun. There were lots of steep hills and mud was every where, but it was one of the most exhilarating and enjoyable bonding experiences I have ever had and I would recommend everyone give it a try. After all, it's for a great cause."
A non-competitive event, thousands of women got down and dirty at Kissing Bridge. Approximately 8,000 women came out, hitting up the challenging 3-mile obstacle course. The Mud Run releases women in waves. A wave, having up to 160 women in it, is released every 15 minutes. The Mud Run obstacle course includes mud crawls, water pits, mud hill scale and descent, cargo net, wall climb, hay bale climb and hopping through nets. Participants can donate their muddy gym shoes at the finish line to be given to those in need. After the race, participants are treated to entertainment and refreshments.
"We loved every dirty minute of it," said Heather Cater, Muddy Mess team coordinator, who finished the 5k mud run course covered in mud. "I believe everyone knows someone who has suffered from cancer, especially breast cancer. Our team wanted to do it for them. The event far exceeded our expectations and there is no doubt that we will be back next year for a fun-filled and awe-inspiring event that supports a very significant cause."
Dirty Girl is the premiere all-female mud run offering a non-intimidating environment for women of all ages and abilities. To sign up for the event or to learn more about Dirty Girl 5K Mud Run, visit their website at www.godirtygirl.com or like them at "Dirty Girl Mud Run" on Facebook.