Mudtastic Classic runner Sam Fleurantine is excited to make it out of the tunnel, Saturday, June 17, at Wawasee Area Conservancy’s Levinson LaBrosse Lakes & Wetland Education Center. Photos by Blair Baumgartner.

By Blair Baumgartner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The excitement was palpable for the 9th Annual Mudtastic Classic presented by the K21 Health Foundation. The event was held Saturday, June 17, at the Wawasee Area Conservancy’s Levinson LaBrosse Lakes & Wetland Education Center and 200 participants signed up for this year’s race obstacle course mud run.

Proceeds go to the Syracuse Parks Recreation & Youth Programs. The money raised will benefit the department’s general fund.

The first team to set off on the mud run was “Aches and Pains.” “The Yellowbands” took off onto the obstacle course five minutes later. Teams were given time to stretch and prepare for the race prior to start.

Syracuse Superintendent of Parks Chad Jonsson said, “It’s a great event. It’s a lot of fun. Hopefully, it’s a lot of fun for the community. Approximately 200 participants signed up this year which is good because that’s about as big as we can go without adding some things.”

Syracuse Park Board Member David Johnston said, “I just think it’s a great event for families. There are a lot of laughs. The participants will help each other. This is not a competitive race. They’re going down the slide and will help each other. And the muddier they get, the more they laugh.”

Participants were having the time of their lives. Many runners could be seen laughing as they struggled to make it out of the many muddy obstacles.

Jude Rhodes took on the last obstacle with reckless abandon. He went down the slide and plunged into the mud below. He had to wipe off his glasses.

Rhodes said, “It was great! Very fun! You should definitely do it! It was a great experience!”