Seneca Mudslam Mud Run Review

On Aug 23 I went up to Seneca, SC for the 2^nd annual Mudslam Mud Run at the Shaver Recreation Complax. I had previously done a race at the same complex, and it was a blast so I knew I needed to go back. My team and I camped out in hammocks at the race site ready to compete the next day.

Parking

The race venue was at a recreation complex had a large parking lot out front for all participants. Parking led you right up to the facility and the race started in the back.

Registration/Packet Pick-up

All runners registered as a team of 4. Packet pick-up was simple and efficient, with no lines and very organized volunteers knowing exactly what they needed to do. With check-in you received one number and timing chip per team, your 4 shirts, and they marked you with your team number on your shoulder. It was nice to be greated by such happy volunteers early in the morning.

THE RACE

The race format was a little different than I am used to being a team event. All runners were set up in teams of 4 and assigned a separate start time. The first team was sent off into the starting mud pit, which had mud cannons that sprayed muddy water everywhere (really cool!), and straight into a 9 and a half foot wall that forced many teams to work together to overcome. The start was great for spectators as they watched muddy runners attempt to climb up the wall.

The next teams were sent off in 3 minute increments after. We were the 25^th team to go, and I assumed we would not be able to run well starting so far back. Turns out this staging allowed the field to stay spread out through all the obstacles. After the start we headed into the woods to a water fall that we hopped up and continued on the path. The course utilized a lot of the natural creek that ran through it making it refreshing and fun. The next obstacle was one of the more particularly difficult obstacles was “The Weaver.” It is a common military obstacle that uses an A Frame with horizontal beams that make you go over and under without touching the ground. The next mile my team and I were able to push the pace through creek crossings, log hops, and rolling hills.

About half way through the race we hit one of their signature water obstacle that they call “Water Park”. It is a huge hole in the ground that you wade across and have to jump over a row of tires elevated out of the water then run up a slick tube. After we got through water park we got to stretch our legs and run a bit before the rope swing and the water slide. The water slide was a huge near vertical slide that launched you out across the bottom water pit. Refreshed we continued downhill, through a few creeks and tunnels. The next thing we encountered a steep 100 m section called Cardiac Hill. It was a fast hard climb right into a tall A-frame obstacle. After a few more minutes we reached the finish line where the only thing that stood in our way was a 20ft vertical cargo climb. In order to finish you had to finish as a team, I thought that this component along with it being competitive was great and made it a ton of fun.

Immediately next to the start area was a phenomenal kids zone that was more of a mud playground than a race. It had a rope swing, slides, walls, and of course lots of mud

Overall Experience

For this local event I was extremely pleased with how smoothly everything went. We ended up winning the Male Division and enjoying a second lap around the course cheering on the teams that followed. The timing team did an excellent job starting the waves exactly at 3 minute intervals allowing the race to stay spaced out and well run. The course was extremely well marked, and the volunteers on the course were always cheering us on taking pictures and guiding us through the obstacles.

I CANNOT SAY ENOUGH ABOUT HOW AWESOME THE COURSE VOLUNTEERS WERE!!

THANK YOU!

The entire event was put on by the City of Seneca in order to raise money to afford a new drug K-9 unit, apparently they cost $15,000! They had a cool demonstration what the dogs could do that lasted about 30 minutes that included an officer being “taken down” by one of the dogs.

We will definitely be back in April for the Collins Home Mud Run that will be held in April of 2015.

*Photos By: Enrique Tomas

Enrique Tomas is an avid obstacle racer, Father, and recent college graduate. When he is not out getting muddy, Enrique is running road races or training to become the next American Ninja Warrior in 2015. This is his first review for ORM.