The Battlegrounds at Cedar Lake's Mud Run

Pigs wallow in it. People bathe in it. Mud is the new black...uh, brown. And mud runs are all the rage for thrill-seekers looking to test their fortitude.

The Battlegrounds at Cedar Lake, the Midwest's only permanent mud run and obstacle course, is the perfect combination for those seeking a messy and invigorating challenge. The fourth bi-annual race will be held Sat., May 3 beginning at 8 a.m. The five-mile run features more than 30 military-themed obstacles for those who are physically and mentally fit. The course is located at 950 State Highway 00 in Wright City, Mo. next to Cedar Lake Cellars Winery and Event Center.

Proceeds from the mud run and a post-race silent auction will benefit The Mission Continues, a national non-profit organization based in St. Louis that engages veterans transitioning out of the military into community service leadership at home. Its fellowship program involves post-911 veterans serving 20 hours a week for six months at a non-profit of their choice while completing a professional development curriculum. Its platoon program has veterans of all generations working together in communities to solve local challenges.

The run's obstacles, which vary each year to ensure new challenges, include the torpedo launcher consisting of a 50-foot water slide that empties into a 15-foot deep water pit. Other highlights include the frozen tundra, a 30-yard pool filled with more than 2,000 pounds of ice mixed with water. The Battlegrounds is modeled after a military training camp and incorporates all types of terrains including creeks, woods, fields and valleys that add to the intense level of competition.

"Our mud run lets you see what you're made of while you have fun doing it," said Carl Bolm, owner of The Battlegrounds and Cedar Lake Cellars. "We have the added ability to make our obstacles bigger and better because our course is permanent." Bolm said this year's mud run will be especially challenging due to the winter's heavy snow fall and its effects on the land.

On-site showers are available for mud run participants. The event, which is free to spectators who can easily watch the run from many vantage points, includes a free kids' mud zone area for children ages 12 and under. Post-event activities include individual and group award presentations, food and drinks.

All participants must be 18 years of age or older. The race is $100 before April 30, and entry is $140 on the day of the event. Registration is available for individuals, as well as teams of four that can be comprised of men, women or a combination of both. For more information, call (314) 569-3005 or visit the website at www.thebattlegrounds.com.