The USMC Mud Run began in 1993 as an event where enlisted personnel and civilians competed side by side.

It has grown from its original location in Fort Jackson, SC to a privately owned farm just south of Columbia,

SC. The 5.2 mile course features 32 obstacles, testing the endurance of 4 person teams. The race is now

held semi-annually, with funds used for the benefit of the Greater Columbia Marine Foundation. The

October event included 2291 teams, totaling 9,164 muddy participants.

This photo journal depicts a team of Trouble Brewers at several of the obstacles along the way.

The day begins early, as a USMC Mud Run should

Well, sure it’s hard to read. But it’s easier than running it. It’s also pointless for those competing, as basically you do

whatever comes up next. Signs would have been quite helpful for spectators trying to find the various obstacles to

encourage and/or photograph their families and friends, though, admittedly, it would take an athlete to keep pace.

After a brisk registration, we were off and running. Jump some 5’ board panels, go through ditch… that kind of

thing. Shimmy along an overhead bar, climb through muddy culvert pipes, take a rope swing…

This seemed easier to do than it actually was. Imagine that. Left alone, the net ropes sway and are difficult to climb.

With people holding them taut, they sway and are difficult to climb. Yeah.

The team included my friends Jack and Tina, their daughter Brittney (a Senior in High School), and myself. Hill

climbing wasn’t so bad. Even descending wasn’t so bad. Without glasses, I was basically blind and as a result

probably worried a lot less about the consequences of each step. Brittney didn’t worry at all, but rather found

fun, entertaining ways to experience each obstacle.

We came to these series of 5’ high logs, having to clear each one. It turned out with a bent knee to use as a

step or a helping hand, these weren’t so tough. Still, we chose wisely in taking the left set, as the other

appeared to be up to a foot higher. Intelligence matters, right?

Please. Give us a real hill. This was a lackluster obstacle to a walk in the park.

Right. Where’s the mud, you ask?

Well, we’d already been through some. But there’s always more.

For example, there’s more mud under these logs, each of which you have to go under. These, at least, weren’t

partially submerged like an earlier set we’d passed.

Did I mention the water was cold? The mud, too?

The forearm crawl. Maybe the mud grabbed his shorts?

Strange. No one manages to keep a poker face.

I’m 47. I can still play in the mud.

And like it. (Psst. Hurry up, Jack!)

Tina’s not happy.

There, all better now!

But her daughter needs some help. Because walking in mud isn’t easy either.

And now Brittney is happy.

But seriously, making your mom tie your shoe in a USMC Mud Run? Really?

Tina’s comment: None. The “angry mom stare” speaks loudly enough.

But, hey, while we’re stopped, Photo Op!

And that happy moment passes as we arrive at the Tarzan challenge, which involves swinging from rope to rope

above a mud pit. Very few passed this during the Spring competition, but we brought along our secret weapon. Jack.

Still, unlike other teams, we were careful to ask the rules. No, we didn’t all have to complete it (or face a penalty of

mud-angels lying in the mud), only one had to make it. Yes, the other team members could help, but they couldn’t lift

to provide support. Got it. And Jack’s ready to go.

We’re “All in” to help Jack.

By the way, it’s not like any of the mud pits have smooth predictable surfaces underneath.

There are holes here. And in others, logs for tripping hazards.

Eh, Jack, you coming or not?

There you are!

And how are we supposed to help, exactly?

You know what? We should try to help you get to the next rope, or bring the next rope to

you. That’s the ticket!

Hang in there, Jack!

And at this point, we note that the other teams don’t seem to be quite as successful.

That’s right, Team X. Ya’ll just run on by. Like all the rest.

Hey, Marine! That guy with glasses is cheating! And how do you wear glasses doing this?

Jack demonstrating his “I don’t have to work out. I work for a living.” physique. Also, if you’ll note that soft pink

patch of skin inside his left knee, that’s where darker skin used to be before he grasped the ropes with his legs. Ouch.

Almost there!

We were said to be the third team to complete this challenge.

My advice, it’s faster to take the penalty if you’re competing for time.

Tar Pits. I don’t really know what is in this tar pit. It didn’t particularly have the aroma of any type of petroleum base.

It was certainly black. It’s smell wasn’t an odor with which I would choose to bathe. It was mixed with mulch for

some pine authenticity. And there were trip logs buried at chin height under the goo. And holes to catch the unwary.

And a barbed wire fence on each side to keep teams honest.

Curiously, it was also located after all the other water/mud based challenges, like the ¼ mile through a river we

walked through (with even more chin killing logs submerged in its dark water). It might have been nice to work some

of the slime off. But, hey, it’s all fun, right? And maybe useful for hair coloring.

I’m having fun.

So why do my teammates walk like zombies?

At this point, does it matter if we slip in the mud?

I would shortly convince Brittney that she’s costumed as Batgirl.

Brittney was up to her neck in the tar pit.

You got walls? No problem. Not even slippery tar coated ones with tar coated shoes and

hands. Pfft.

I have to do what? A fireman’s carry?

Brittney is 100 lbs. (or so) of Chatterbox.

No portion of our journey lacked narration.

Or is she 100 lbs. (or so) of ham?

Quality Time.

Subtitle Possibilities:

Brittney: “No, mom. Dad is going to drop you first.”

Tina: “You’re so lazy! All you do is hang around!” Brittney: “Look who’s talking!”

Brittney: “Mom, I forgot to tell you I need $40 Monday for school.”

Reese: “Jack, how do you think Clemson will do tonight?”

Tina: “Brittney, it’s time you learned to tie your shoestrings. And do your own laundry.”

Reese: “Jack, if I press her against this tree, do you think she’ll stick?”

Jack: “I should have had an extra cup of coffee.”

Water. Clear, drinkable water.

I pay $38 twice a year for the skin treatment. The hair is just a freebie.

I’m freezing here!

… modeling the latest in faux turtlenecks.

To infinity and beyond!