‘I wish there was more mud’

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 28 September 2013 at 12:00 am

Participants enjoy run through obstacles in debut Y event

Lisa Cox of Medina makes a “mud angel” near the end of today’s Mud Run. Her son Austin also completed the course.

Photos by Tom Rivers – Jenny McKenna descends a muddy slope near the canal as part of today’s Mud Run. Jenny completed the course with her sister Kerri and their mother Iva.

MEDINA – Skyler Smith turned 14 today. She told her father her wish: for the two of them to finish the Mud Run together.

So that’s what they did, running and crawling through mud pits, climbing over fallen trees, navigating through a field of tires and conquering a host of other obstacles.

“It was definitely fun,” Mr. Smith said. “It’s a really good family obstacle course.”

The Orleans County YMCA organized the event for 75 participants. It was the Y’s first Mud Run, events that are gaining popularity for their daring feats.

Skyler Smith of Albion leads her father Steve through the file obstacle course in a mud pit in today’s Mud Run to benefit the Orleans County YMCA. Skyler asked for the adventure on her 14th birthday.

Participants climb over logs, one of the many obstacles on the course.

Organizers were happy with the 75 participants, by Y leaders are already considering a shift to the spring, when they think more participants will be eager to conquer the course after being holed up during the winter.

Lisa Cox and her son Austin both completed the run, which took participants through fields, the towpath and trails in the woods. Cox, 34, made a “mud angel” in the volleyball court at Sacred Heart Club, where the race ended.

She didn’t mind all of the obstacles, including a slope off the towpath that was hosed down by firefighters to make extra muddy.

“It was pretty fun,” Cox said. “I just wish there was more mud. I hope we get to do it again.”