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Mud runs add an extra dimension of fun

Friends slip and slide through a mud bog on July 18 at Dirty Dash course, which included a waterslide into a mud pit. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Friends slip and slide through a mud bog on July 18 at Dirty Dash course, which included a waterslide into a mud pit. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
By Jesse Tinsley jesset@spokesman.com(509) 459-5378

These races are about friends, family and mud.

One group of young women started with the first wave of runners at the July 18 Dirty Dash race at the Riverside ORV Park. The longtime friends, all Zumba fitness instructors, dressed alike and balanced mixed drinks in plastic cups through much of the race. Alicia Gilrein lists off why they have come back to the muddy obstacle course each of the last five years. “It’s so fun – a fine time with the girls, the camaraderie, the bonding,” she said. “We do life together.”

Friends bring friends, families reunite and crawl through mud-filled culverts and wade through knee-deep bogs.

There are many similar races. The Spartan Run, the Tough Mudder and the Warrior Dash also fall into this category, but are more extreme in testing the mettle of runners, especially with obstacles or tests of strength. The Dirty Dash, which has staged in Spokane for the last five years, claims to be a run for runners and non-runners alike.  There are no rivers to swim or fires to leap over.

“The founders (of Dirty Dash) had a background in events so they thought a running event that wasn’t as extreme as some of the mud runs would appeal to the masses,” said Katelin Goings, marketing and PR manager for the Dirty Dash and Color Me Rad races.  “We’re avoiding anything that might be too difficult for most people. We’re looking at obstacles that are challenging but still doable.”

Color Me Rad, which has been in Spokane the last three years, is one of a handful of races where runners are repeatedly sprayed with dyed cornstarch to create a rainbow on skin and clothing. Most runners wear all white. The Color Run and the Color Vibe 5K are similar.

“We don’t have exact numbers, but Spokane is a strong market for us,” Goings said of both races. There are up to 20 Dirty Dash races a year across the nation and almost 100 Color Me Rad races, including many overseas put on by franchisees.

At the Riverside ORV Park for the July 18 event, thousands of runners couldn’t wait to dive into carefully created bogs and slip down the giant waterslide into a muddy soup. The organizers bring a core crew to the event, hire local help and partner with groups to get volunteer help, said Goings. The company is based in Salt Lake City.

For many, the mud is nostalgic.

“Having a great time getting back to the roots of the childhood,” said Kevin Miller. “This is my first time. It’s fun (and) worth it.”

Amy Gilbert came with her family, including 20-year-old son Sean Conner. “He’s leaving us for the Navy soon so we have to do all these family fun things together,” she said, cradling his face in her hands.