Warrior Dash
Warrior Dashes typically are five kilometers (3.1 miles) long, with 10 obstacles. You can skip an obstacle and still get a finisherโs medal. Fees range from $65 to $95 and include a T-shirt for participants; a helmet and medal for finishers; a free beer; and โa kickass party.โ
The Warrior Dashes closest to Pittsburgh this year will be in Millfield, in southeastern Ohio, May 31, and in North Lawrence near Canton, Ohio, Aug. 9. Information, registration: www.warriordash.com.
Tough Mudder
Tough Mudder courses typically are 10-12 miles, contain 25 or more obstacles. Fees range from $90 to $200 and include a T-shirt, an orange headband and a beer.
Thereโs a Tough Mudder in Mansfield, Ohio, this weekend. The Pittsburgh-Ohio Valley Tough Mudder will be in St. Clairsville, about an hour and a half from Pittsburgh, Aug. 16-17. Information: toughmudder.com.
Spartan Race
Spartan Races are timed and contain penalties (10 to 30 burpees) for racers who skip obstacles. If you sign up for one, be prepared to give your all.
โEach Spartan Race is designed to push you to tap into your highest potential and greatest strength,โ the company says.
Many obstaclesinvolve fire, water or barbed wire. There are three basic types: The Sprint is 3 miles, contains 15-plus obstacles; The Super is 8 miles, 20-plus obstacles; The Beast is 12 miles, 25-plus obstacles.
Fees range from $60 to $205. Thereโll be a Spartan Sprint at the Blue Mountain ski resort in the Poconos July 12-13. Information: www.spartanrace.com.
Other races
Many smaller companies sponsor mud races.
Seven Springs held its Mud on the Mountain event Saturday, with 2,889 athletes facing 27 obstacles (mudonthemountain.com). Male and female winners of the first group of participants, in the timed Elite Heat, were Joey Hawley, 25, North Huntingdon (1 hour, 11 minutes, 4 seconds), and Katie Bordner, 39, Carlisle (1 hour, 41 minutes, 35 seconds). Seven Springs will hold its second nighttime version, Mud on the Mountain in the Dark, race on Aug. 16. Headlamps will be provided. Information: 7springs.com.
Hereโs what the Mud Run Guide (www.mudrunguide.com) lists for other races in our area this summer:
The Lake Erie Zombie Run 2014, sponsored by Human Movement Management, May 17, at the Lake Erie Speedway in North East. One race (Zombie Run Extreme) will be run during the day; another (Zombie Run Black Ops) at night. Both will be over a mud-filled 5K course with eight to 10 obstacles. The registration fee for each race is $85 for humans, $45 for zombies, $120 for both races. Registration: thezombierun.com.
The Lago Mad Dash in Jamestown, Pa., will be held at the Lago winery May 25. Itโs a 5K with 10 obstacles over hilly terrain with ravine and creek crossings. The $76 registration fee includes a T-shirt and a glass of beer or wine. Registration: www.lagowinery.com.
The Western Pennsylvania Dirty Girl Mud Run is scheduled for June 14 in Pittsburgh. Itโs a 5K for women only, with obstacles such as PMS (pretty muddy stuff), Runaway Bride and Utopian Tube. The registration fee is $85 until June 3, $100 thereafter and includes a T-shirt and a cocktail. Part of the proceeds support breast cancer research. Registration: godirtygirl.com/events/mud-run-western-pennsylvania.
Also slated for June 14 are the 5K Foam Fest at the Mines & Meadows Resort in Wampum, near Ellwood City, and the Hells Hollow Mudd Run in Mercer.
Thereโll be 15 to 30 obstacles at the Foam Fest, many mixing foam and mud. The Hells Hollow Mudd Run is a 5K with 15 obstacles, including two โmuddโ baths. The $75 registration fee for the Foam Fest rises to $80 the week of the race. It includes a swag bag and a free beer. Registration: 5kfoamfest.com/Location?locId=11. The fee for the Hells Hollow Mudd Run is $55, $65 June 1. It includes a T-shirt, a beer cozy and a beer. Registration: www.hellshollowfarm.com.
If you canโt make the Western Pennsylvania Dirty Girl Mud Run, thereโll be another in Charleston, W.Va., July 26. Registration: godirtygirl.com.
Youโll have to โtrudge over mountains of sludgeโ over the 4-mile course and navigate the โBeer Chug obstacleโ in the Pittsburgh Dirty Dash Aug. 2 at the Mines & Meadows resort in Wampum. The $50 registration fee goes up on June 6, again on July 4. Registration www.thedirtydash.com/race/pittsburgh.
If you missed the Lake Erie zombie run, thereโll be a Zombie Mud Run in Cadogan, near Ford City, Aug. 16. Registration: www.thezombiemudrun.com/pittsburgh-pa-the-zombie-mud-run-zombie-mudrun.
First Published: May 13, 2014, 1:28 a.m.
