Tuesday, April 14, 2009

LAS VEGAS - April 14, 2009 - Sin City's going to get a lot dirtier on Saturday, May 23. That's when the Mad Mud Run will invade Summerlin and turn the upscale community into a muddy five mile obstacle course all in the name of some "unclean" fun.

"The Mad Mud Run is five miles of action packed fun that includes a dive into our own mud pit," said Rick Eastman, owner of Sierra Adventure Sports and organizer of the Las Vegas Mad Mud Run. "But don't let the fun of diving into a mud pit distract you, this is quite a competitive event."

A mix of a fun run, a mud pit and a competition, the Mad Mud Run offers team awards for the top finishers in the one, two and five person team category. Teams can be all male, all female, or mixed coed teams. There is also a special award for the best crowd pleasing costume.

"Some people take this event very seriously, almost like a competitive five mile run," Eastman said. "For others, it is a fun activity for friends or neighbors and some companies like to sponsor teams as a true teambuilding event."

The obstacle course resembles what most people think of boot camp. There's often a short wall, belly crawl, monkey bars, cargo net climb, a hay bale obstacle and of course the fun slimy mud pit. The course is a challenge for all fitness levels and most teams complete the course in 45 minutes to an hour.

"It is a physical challenge that is very rewarding in the end," Eastman said. "Not only do you get to dive in a mud pit, but there's a sense of teamwork and accomplishment from completing the entire course."

The participants also receive a special commemorative gift, a goodie bag, an official "mine is cooler than your dog tag" along with snacks and drinks. Participants must be 18 or older to participate in the general race or a "minor waver" must be completed in advance.

Children between the ages of 4 and 12 years of age will be able to participate in a special 100-meter Mudpuppy Splash that takes place right after the Mad Mud Run. Mudpuppy Splash participants receive a t-shirt, race bib and dog tag.

There's a special pre-event race registration fee of only $50 in effect until May 9. The price will increase to $60 after May 9 and registration closes on May 20. The cost of the Mudpuppy Splash is only $10 per child.

For more information about the Mad Mud Run or the Mudpuppy Splash coming to Summerlin on May 23 - or to register online to participate in the event - visit the event website at www.madmudrun.com.

-Sierra Adventure Sports-