FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- On Saturday, people from all over the state and beyond spent the better part of the day jumping through mud puddles, sliding down muddy hills and throwing mud pies.
And though it may sound like a parent's nightmare, it was actually what has become one of Columbia's most anticipated events - the Annual USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud Run.
About 1,800 four-person teams, or 7,200 participants, descended upon McCrady Training Center Sept. 19 to participate in the event, which is in its 16th year. Last year, 1,200 teams participated.
Alex Rollins, a teacher and track coach at North Carolina's Ashe County High School, was among those who made it through all 30 obstacles of the 4.2-mile mud-covered course.
"I think the element of running with a team is fun," he said after the race. "It was good, it was fun."
Teammate and fellow teacher Rusty Rogers added, "It's fun, and it's for a good cause."
Proceeds from the run go toward supporting Columbia-area Marines and their families who have been wounded or killed while serving on active duty. Profits are also used to support local scholarships named after fallen Marines.
Rollins said he and the rest of team "Optimud Prime" trained for the event by running up a nearby mountain once a week. According to unofficial times posted Tuesday on the event's official Web site, the team placed 60th with a time of almost 49 minutes.
Children also had the opportunity to participate in the Pollywog Race, an off road "mini mud run."
Though the lure for the children was obvious, what enticed the adults onto the muddy course'
"It's elementary," Rollins said. "It reminds us of our youth."
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