What is the Mad Mountain Mud Run?
A Mud Run is a race with the objective to conquer obstacles while getting muddy! These races have become very popular throughout the world, and we are proud to be hosting our 2nd annual Mud Run in WNC. Our objectives are clear (unlike mud): create a fun and challenging event to draw mud-loving runners of all abilities to our area with proceeds to benefit Hendersonville’s children’s museum, Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery. We will market this event with a targeted reach of 1.5 million with a combined effort of print materials focused on areas within a 2 hour radius of Hendersonville, NC, and worldwide with the benefits of social media. In addition, based upon the success of other similar events throughout the country, we expect thousands of attendees and participants.
THE FESTIVAL
Family members, friends and other people not interested in competing in the race challenge are invited to the site for the day to cheer on their muddy loved ones and enjoy a festival atmosphere with food, beverages, and live music. PLEASE NOTE: No pets will be allowed at this event. And, please make sure to thank our beer sponsors: Sierra Nevada, Empire Distributors, and Southern Appalachian Brewery.
THE PROCEEDS
All proceeds from this event will benefit Hands On!-A Child’s Gallery, a non-profit children’s experiential learning museum located on Main Street in Hendersonville, NC. The mission of Hands On! is to serve the needs of children and families by providing educational exhibits that stimulate the imagination and motivate learning in a fun, safe “hands on” environment. This is a regional organization in Western North Carolina, and an anchor presence in downtown Hendersonville. Thousands of WNC and upstate SC children are served annually, including many underserved and underprivileged children.
WHAT IS THE COST TO PARTICIPATE?
A team that registers before March 15 will be charged $160. The price increases to $190 on March 15.
HOW CAN I REQUEST TO RUN WITH A FRIEND OR OTHER TEAM?
If you have a mud-tastic mate you want to run with, put them on your team!! We do not have individuals running this year, only teams. And, no 2 teams are taking off at the same time, so you will only begin with your team.
HOW DOES REGISTRATION WORK?
Please go to our mucky registration page to learn all the details.
WILL THERE BE PARKING AVAILABLE?
YES – at no additional cost to you. The details about where to park will be emailed to you with your race e-packet sometime mid-May, but please plan to carpool!!
IS THERE A CUT-OFF DATE FOR REGISTRATION?
YES – We are accepting a limited number of participants, and when we are full, registration is closed – we just aren’t sure of that date, so register early. We stopped accepting registrations three weeks before the event last year, so plan ahead! A few things to note: you must register before May 1st to be guaranteed a t-shirt and regardless of the number of registrants, we will be cutting off registrations at least two weeks before the event. We will not have registrations at the event.
HOW DO I GET TO THE MUD RUN?
Our event will be located in the beautiful mountains of Hendersonville, NC in the Berkeley Area and detailed instructions will be emailed to race participants with your race packets. If you want to google directions, put in 2400 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC. This is the address for a nearby gas station. We will have signage & parking attendants helping from this point.
WHAT DO I NEED TO WEAR?
We recommend you wear old comfy clothes that will help protect you from cuts & bruises (long pants or running tights a great choice). We suggest you stay away from thick cotton materials that will absorb water and add weight to a difficult run (like cotton socks or sweatpants). Wear shoes with lots of traction to get you through the mud. Keep in mind that the most creative team costume will receive a prize, so go check out your local thrift stores.
WHAT SHOULD I NOT WEAR?
Everything will get filthy, and possibly torn or lost, so nothing valuable should be on your body – no rings, earrings or jewelry of any kind – or anything else you really care about! Goggles or glasses are not recommended. AND, do you wear contacts?? What are you going to do if mud gets in your eyes? Either bring a backup pair or go without.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME TO THIS EVENT?
- Cash for fun things we have for sale and food & beverages after you race – we will not be accepting credit cards!
- Your identification if you want to have a beer – DO NOT FORGET THIS.
- 1 Trash Bag – Either for your filthy clothes and shoes or to sit on in your car if you don’t want to change
- 1 Towel
- A change of clothes & shoes
- A backpack or bag to keep your items in while you are racing – we will have a bag check-in/out area
WHAT TIME DOES THE EVENT START?
You will receive a confirmation email for your specific start time a few weeks before the event via email. All participants can expect to begin between 1:00 and 4:00. Plan to stay with us after you race to enjoy all the festivities! The event will take place until 7pm.
WHAT IS THE MINIMUM AGE TO PARTICIPATE?
The minimum age is 12, with permission from a legal guardian. Anyone who is 12 years old or older by the day of the event can participate. Participants under the age of 18 must have adult check-in and sign waiver.
DO I HAVE TO SIGN A WAIVER?
Yes. Please understand our course is challenging and the mud is thick. You should not participate if you have concerns. You must complete a waiver to participate. We have to have a hard copy of this waiver! It will be included in the e-race packet, and you should print a copy, sign it and bring it with you to race registration.
WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?
You should arrive one hour before your heat begins to allow time to park, check your bag in and get to the start line. Our registration area will include a line of tables spanning quite a distance for you to continue moving. Please get with your entire team before you begin going through the process. You will 1. turn in your signed waiver forms, 2. your id will be checked the day of the event, and you will receive a wristband if you are 21 or older, 3. Have your teams number written on you with a sharpie, 4. receive your chip (captain only), and 5. check your personal items at the bag check area.
WILL THERE BE ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND SPECTATORS?
Absolutely! We will have a fun festival in full swing all day… food, beverages, live music and muddy games.
WHAT IS THE COURSE LIKE?
Our course will be unique, as all mud run courses are different. Ours will be about 3 miles long, with mile markers along the course to help you pace yourself. We are designing the course so that the first part of the race is mostly running in order to avoid congestion at obstacles. We will email racers a course map to give you an idea of the course much closer to the event. You can check out our training tips to help you get more prepared for the event.
WILL THERE BE WATER STATIONS ALONG THE COURSE?
Yes. With a better water system for runners this year!!
WHAT IF I CAN’T COMPLETE AN OBSTACLE?
No problem….there will be race officials at each obstacle. If you are unable to complete an obstacle, you will tell the race official, who will stop you from racing for a “penalty” period of time or give you a back-up option. Race officials will determine if an obstacle is completed in the correct manner. Some of our obstacles will be “team-oriented”, so you will need your teammates to get through them – in other words, stay together!!
HOW DO I LEARN MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING?
We are always looking for Dirty volunteers, and we need a lot of them! Click here to download a volunteer application. Print, complete then email, mail or fax to Beth Bockoven at beth@handsonwnc.org, fax 697-8305, or call Beth at 697-8333 if you would like more information.
WILL PHOTOS FROM THE RACE BE POSTED ONLINE?
YES…at no cost to you! Thanks to Pardee Hospital, we will have photographers located a few places on the course taking snapshots throughout the day. There will also be one at the finish line, to make sure at least one team photo is taken for each team. We will put the link to all the photos on our mad mountain mud run site, and you can choose whatever you like. The photos will be organized by times the photos are taken (you will have to search some, but it is free!!), so please make sure you are aware of things like your start & finish time to help you find your photos!! Photos will be available about 5 days after the event. Thanks, Pardee!
ARE THERE PRIZES & AN AWARDS CEREMONY?
There will be an awards ceremony for our Mud-tastically wacky categories: most creative team costume and best team name. Other awards will be taken care of following the event upon receipt of the times with prizes mailed to the fastest teams: male, female and co-ed.
CAN I BRING MY OWN FOOD OR ALCOHOL?
You are not allowed to bring your own food or alcohol on-site.
WHAT IF I GET SICK OR INJURED?
There will be paramedics and/or EMS personnel at the event.
WILL THE RESULTS BE POSTED ON-LINE?
Yes. Results will be posted on the Mad Mountain Mud Run website within four days of the event’s end.
HOW WILL MY FINISHING TIME BE RECORDED?
A professional chip timing company, Right on Time, will take care of recording your time and will email you the results within four days of the race being completed.
WILL THE EVENT BE CANCELLED IF BAD WEATHER?
The event will proceed unless under extremely bad weather conditions. Please make sure we have a current phone number and email in case of cancellation. Registration fees will not be refunded if the event is cancelled due to uncontrollable circumstances. But, please know your registration fee will benefit an incredible children’s museum in Downtown Hendersonville!
DO I HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO SWIM TO PARTICIPATE?
No, there are no areas where swimming is required. All mud pits will be less than 4 feet deep.
DO PARTICIPANTS GET FREE BEER?
Yes, participants 21 and older will receive one beer upon completion. You must have your id to receive a wristband , and you must show ID. No ID and wristband, NO BEER… One water or soda will be available for those that would rather receive non-alcoholic beverages with their entry.
IS THERE A TIME LIMIT?
Yes. There is a 2 hour time limit. Don’t worry – even walking, the course can easily be completed in this timeframe.
HOW DO YOU TRAIN FOR A MUD RUN?
We suggest a program that will incorporate core strength, cardio endurance and upper body strength. You can check out our training tips to help you get more prepared for the event.
WHAT IF I REGISTER AND THEN CANNOT MAKE IT THE DAY OF THE EVENT?
All registration fee and donations are non-refundable. If a Captain registers a team and a team-member is unable to race, the team is responsible for finding a replacement. Please understand that a team of less than four participants can not qualify to win the race. Also, t-shirt size changes can not be guaranteed after May 1st.
HOW DO I GET CLEAN FROM THE MUD?
There will not be a GREAT way to get clean, but that’s part of the fun! We will have an outdoor shower area where you can rinse the major gunk. Changing tents will be on-site. Be sure to bring towels and a change of clothes.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE ENTRY FEE?
In addition to participation in the event itself, you get an official Mud Run T-shirt if you register before May 1, you can enjoy a beer or beverage on us, parking is free, you’ll enjoy one of the best times of your life – and the music will get you rockin’, too!
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Sorry…no pets at this event.
