FORT POLK, La. — Squishy, slimy, wet, brown mud covered members of the Fort Polk community took part in the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Mud Run Sept. 24. The goopy stuff clung to participants from head to toe, not to mention some places better not discussed.
The annual event isn’t for the squeamish or those whose closest contact to the dirty stuff is a spa day mud treatment. However, for those hardy enough to confront the muddy muck there were 16 obstacles to contend with on the looping trail that meandered in and around woods surrounding Alligator Lake.
Soldiers from units across Fort Polk ran the course in the week leading up to the community run and some ran it twice.
Kyle Edwards, DFMWR, worked the grounds preparation for the run.
“If it needs to be picked up, moved or hauled, they call me,” Edwards said.
Edwards said he enjoys getting the annual Mud Run ready for action because of all the smiles and laughter associated with the event.
“I love watching the participants work their way through the challenges. It makes the hard work I do worth it.” Edwards said.
Porsha Auzenne, DFMWR, participated in the Mud Run. She said it was a great opportunity to stay fit.
“I got to challenge myself physically while getting down and dirty,” Auzenne said. “It was a new experience for me.”
Auzenne said she enjoyed the event.
“It was great fun and worth the pain. I might be hurting today, but I made it to the finish line and that’s something to be proud of,” Auzenne said.
Veronica Alvarez, 204th Military Police Company, 519th Military Police Battalion, said she and some of her buddies participated in the Mud Run because it was challenge.
“It was a motivational experience. It feels good to accomplish something like this,” Alvarez said.
A couple of her favorite obstacles included the mud slide and the under and over.
“But all the challenges were fun,” Alvarez said.
Alvarez said events like this are important to Fort Polk.
“I don’t get out much, so having something like Mud Run to participate in is great and a lot of fun, not to mention you can get your friends and fellow Soldiers together and do it as a team. That’s good for morale,” Alvarez said.
Check out more DFMWR events at https://polk.armymwr.com/.
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