If you’re anywhere near a course like this, getting covered in mud is almost completely unavoidable. On Friday, September 30, about 405 participants traversed through RU MUDDY, a “down and dirty” 3-mile mud and obstacle course created by Rutgers Recreation for University students and alumni. The course, designed by the Recreation’s Anne Finetto, encouraged teamwork and the importance of having fun.
Under a clear sky and ideal 70-degree weather, waves of runners left the starting line behind the Livingston Recreation Center and trekked towards the woods to face the challenges that awaited.
The challenges were located in the Ecological Preserve on Livingston campus and included inescapable natural obstacles, hills, water-crossings, tires, wall climbs, spider webs, tunnel crawls, and the famous mud pit. The course was designed for participants of any competition and athletic level.
In addition to the Recreation staff, Finetto had a professional staff of about 30 individuals as well as a number of volunteers from Rutgers ROTC and the Marines helping out with the event. At the end of the run, the weary runners were greeted with a DJ, refreshments, and an congratulatory RU MUDDY t-shirt.
Students from the first wave of runners express their enthusiasm at the starting point.
Organizers outlined a map of the Ecological Preserve including the location of the course’s obstacles.
Participants rinse off at the “Clean Up” station after completing the run.
Students run through the tire obstacle.
