Indian Mud Run raises $13,000 for Lake Park
The Park Board met Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the Park Office to discuss the success of the Indian Mud Run, which was last July. Pictured here is (l-r): Hubie Cushman, Chair of the Indian Mud Run; Dave Erwin, Chair of the Park Board; and Fred Watchel, President of the Friends of the Park, receiving a check for $13,000, which is the net profit from the Indian Mud Run. The money will go toward funding park operations.
The Indian Mud Run, which was at the Coshocton Lake Park complex last July, brought in a net profit of $13,000. Hubie Cushman, Chair of the Indian Mud Run Committee, and Fred Watchel, President of the Friends of the Park, met with members of the Lake Park Board on Wednesday, Sept. 19 to discuss what went well at the first Indian Mud Run and what they plan to do better next year.
Cushman’s main concern for next year is advertising. Since the Indian Mud Run committee won’t have to spend time making obstacles for the run next year, their main focus could be moved to advertising the event through word-of-mouth and posting fliers around the area. Cushman believes that advertising for the event next year will also be easier by using photos and videos from this year. The group also discussed minor improvements to some of the obstacles for next year.
Next year’s event has been moved to June 22, 2013. This change was made so as not to conflict with Pennsylvania’s two mud runs. Six people from Pennsylvania participated in Coshocton’s Indian Mud Run last July, which made them the largest out-of-state participants. Five people from Kentucky also participated, making them the second-largest.
Another main concern that Cushman discussed was that a lot of people left the mud run hungry due to lack of food supplies. Cushman hopes that next year, community members could volunteer to man a grill with enough food supplies to feed all the participants.
Overall, the Park Board was satisfied with Coshocton’s first Indian Mud Run, especially with the $13,000 profit it generated.
“That was the purpose for the Indian Mud Run,” said Lori Everhart, Park Director, “to raise funds to help operate the park.”
During the meeting, Tom Roahrig also reported on the canal boat. He said the canal boat had a good year this year and only had to cancel two days because of storms.
“We’ve not had one issue this year with the horses or the boats,” said Everhart.
The horses were well taken care of. Due to the excessive heat this summer, the two horses were regularly hosed down with cool water and put in front of large fans to help keep them cool.
A longer-term lease is currently in negotiations between Roahrig and members of the Park Board.
“It’s been a win-win situation for all of us,” said Everhart. “I don’t know why we wouldn’t want to continue it.”
Roahrig is also happy with the canal boat and his working relationship with the Park Board.
“The park was there for anything I needed,” he said. “It’s just a good working relationship.”
Roahrig discussed some ideas for next year’s season. He hopes to have a wine and dinner cruise once a month and to do theme nights on the boat once in a while, possibly including a murder mystery, although nothing is decided at this time.
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Clubs & Organizations
