MUDD Earth Day 15 Miler

MUDD Earth Day 15 Miler

MUDD Earth Day 15 Miler

( 5 reviews )
100% of reviewers recommend this race
  • Crystal Lake,
    Illinois,
    United States
  • April
  • Other
  • Trail Race
  • Event Website

Jessica

Rockford, Illinois, United States
12 10
2014
"MUDD Dirt & Fun!"
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
Jessica 's thoughts:

I had not prepared or planned to run this race, but signed up last minute to run a loop or two with a friend who was running the 50k. I had missed in-person/online registration, and didn't want to make the drive from Rockford to Crystal Lake only to be turned away on race day due to capacity, so I called the Running Depot during packet pick up. They put me on the phone with the Race Director, and she HELD A SPOT FOR ME! That is A+ customer service right there.
The weather was beautiful, and I located a parking spot almost on the start line (kidding, kind of). The atmosphere was super-friendly, and racers of the 5mi, 15mi, and 50k were all starting together, so everyone was busy checking in and getting ready. As I paid my fee, I joked about a "pay as you go" option, and they told me I could sign up for the 15mile, and finish what I could. DONE! The 50k was 6 5mile loops, so I thought I'd give 3 loops a go with my friend. Race Managment was seriously the friendliest I have encountered, and all of the funds were going to a great cause. They were also collecting shoes for recycling, and offered up nice reuseable bags with only a few race flyers and a sweet MUDD wristband (and some muscle gel).

We all started off after the national anthem played by some local kids, and the trail was immediately tough and trail-y. Rocky in spots, uphill and rooty. But beautiful and scenic, we even saw some deer. They had marked incredibly well with orange flags and flour, and even on the single track trail, everyone was excessively courtesy about passing and high-fiving.
In my brain, the 5 mile loop was easily divided into 3 parts, pre-legbone, legbone, and post-legbone. Pre-legbone was very uphill until you hit some pavement and limestone. Legbone was single track (tough with returners, but again, with the courtesy, it didn't matter) and rooty with rocks, and post-legbone was tough, technical, rocky steep downhill, until you hit some gradual uphill again.
I was able to knock out two loops before calling it a day. The racers filed in finishing their mileage with a shouting and cheering crowd, or greeted by friends/crew passing out food and gear as they continued on. The medals were wood burned (awesome) and the awards were hand wood carvings. The food was great (PBJ, bananas, cookies, granola) and there were nachos for after. I didn't stay for awards, but it would have been nice. They even had "virgin" awards for those running their first 50k! Chip timing, rolling trail course, nice t-shirts, great food, and exceptionally attentive and personal race management. I will be back next year (maybe for my first 50k??)

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