Recreation

Don't Get Stuck in the Mud!

Mud Jam endurance course thrills and gives back

Eric Christenson |

An actual human being doing this on purpose.
An actual human being doing this on purpose.

From the brains of the people who put on the Chippewa Valley’s summer ode to country music and pickup trucks – Country Jam – comes a brand new mud race that pits those foolish enough to register through three miles of mud and unrelenting obstacles. Bucking the trendy mud race template, Mud Jam offers delightfully local names for each obstacle in its grueling course. Instead of just climbing over any old bales of hay, you’ll be climbing over the “Half Moon Hale Bales.” Then feel free to trapse your way over to the “Brutal Blugold Bars” and the “Zorn Arena Zipper.” I just hope the “Dells Pond Dumpster Dive” isn’t what it sounds like. Seriously, people do courses like these of their own volition! And a nice thing is that a good amount of the proceeds via registration and sponsorships will benefit Bobs House for Dogs – a local shelter that cares for and provides adoption for senior dogs. Then if the mud hasn’t completely worn you down, stick around for the After Party with music by Divided Highway. It’s free to watch for spectators and registration fees are $50 in advance and $60 on the day of the race. Oh. and remember to take your shoes off before you walk through the house, OK?

Eau Claire Mud Jam • Sept. 19 • Country Jam Festival Grounds, 3443 Crescent Ave., Eau Claire • Free for spectators • Registration costs and info: www.ecmudjam.com