LEXINGTON — Approximately 6,000 runners and spectators were mired in muck Saturday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course for the annual Tough Mudder event.
The 10-mile obstacle course, punctuated with numerous water and mud barriers, is not a race but a teamwork challenge.
“It’s about challenging yourself,” said Courtney Jordan, event director of Mansfield’s Tough Mudder. “It’s about doing something different.
“People are coming out as a team and even if you come alone, you’ll probably leave with new friends and a new team because you can’t really do the obstacles by yourself. It really is about the camaraderie out there on the course.”
Weather could not have been much better for early victims, make that participants of the course. While Saturday’s forecast hinted at cloudy skies and rain, the morning was sunny and warm. It stayed that way throughout the day.
“The day’s going great; the sun came out which was a nice surprise for us. We weren’t expecting that. Things are running smoothly,” Jordan said, noting the help of volunteers. “The day’s been good.”
Throughout the course, spectators could hear the shouts of those about to depart on the mud-riddled adventure, and others completing the 22-obstacle course with vigor.
“It was great,” said Frank Lingle, a participant. “Working together, we came together with a bunch of guys and everyone worked together.”
Benjamin Klekotla said he was excited to be finished for the day, but will partake in the muddy festivities again.
“The course was really good this year; they did great job with it. This is my seventh time doing it. You bet I’ll be back,” he said.
