FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- As participants eagerly gathered around the starting line, there were loud motivational shouts coming from the crowd as runners awaited the signal to take off. Each individual knew what he or she had signed up for, but they all shared a common goal: to get as muddy as possible.
Soldiers, Family Members and residents of the local community gathered May 15 to participate in a 5.5-mile Mountain Mudder on Fort Drum.
"It helps for us to have a better life outside of the base as well as on, and brings everyone in Watertown and the surrounding areas together," said Pfc. Tia Shaw, a paralegal specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI).
The Mountain Mudder is sponsored by the Better Opportunity for Single Soldiers program, and this is the second time the event has taken place.
"It's fun; it's good for (physical training) and good for morale," said Spc. Rodolfo Lozada, a generator mechanic with 33rd Financial Management Support Unit, 10th Sustainment Brigade. "I did it last year and it was really fun, but I think it got a lot better this year than last year because they added more to it."
The purpose of the event is to keep participants motivated by doing something a little out of the ordinary.
"We decided to do it as a legal team, and it gave us time to bond with co-workers and helped with team building," Shaw said.
With some 600 participants, event coordinators had to split the runners into three groups of about 200 people and then release them in teams of 25 at predetermined times between waves.
There were a total of 12 obstacles set up around the course, most of which involved getting muddy.
"I'm good at the obstacles, but not very good at the running," Lozada said. "I was getting pushed along to run faster, and it kept me motivated."
After participants crossed the finish line, each was given a few souvenirs as well as an opportunity to rinse the mud off before leaving.
"I've been doing every event that they host since I've been here, so I'm going to continue to do so," Shaw said. "I definitely plan on doing this again in September."
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