Rain adds more mud to Indian Mud Run
Hundreds of obstacle course racers challenged themselves on the Indian Mud Run Course, which was held June 23 at Lake Park. Rebecca Maddux | Beacon
COSHOCTON – The torrential downpours on Friday night, June 22, only added to the fun and difficulty of the course for the Indian Mud Run held on Saturday, June 23 at Coshocton’s Lake Park.
Mid-morning showers brought dread and cheers to competitors as they discussed the course. Those who had already competed said it was one of the most challenging courses they had ever completed with awesome obstacles. The people who were still waiting their turn to compete were excited and nervous.
Kate Porter from Avon Lake was competing for the first time and was nervous about it. “I’ve always wanted to do one, but I’m worried about all of the obstacles. I have no idea what to expect.” Her friend, Kristina Schneider, from Strongsville told her she would be awesome. Schneider has competed in two other obstacle races this year and this was her first time in Coshocton.
“I am not that good, but I’m trying,” said Schneider. “It looked like fun and I like to challenge myself. I’m a firefighter/paramedic so I’m active in my job, but I’ve never enjoyed running. I’m looking forward to our turn to try this!”
Porter and Schneider were part of a group of eight or nine that travelled from the Cleveland area to compete in the Indian Mud Run. Jason Duly, from North Olmstead, was also part of the group.
Duly competed in the competitive run and at the time of this interview was first in his age group. It was his first time in Coshocton and his sixth race this year. “This is so challenging! The hills are rocky and muddy – luckily, there were ropes to help pull yourself up the hill. The floating wall was really challenging and I’ve never seen a course where you had to swim three times.” Duly was planning to find Hubie Cushman, one of the organizers of the mud run, to tell him how great the course was.
“We have a group – the Cleveland OCR – that travels together to support smaller races. There is a grand slam of five races this year and Coshocton is the third in the slam. It’s definitely one of the more competitive and harder courses we’ve seen,” said Duly.
There was also a course for children. The Woloch family traveled from Bolivar just so the girls could try the children’s course. Joel and Christina Woloch competed in the Indian Mud Run two years ago and their daughters and niece have wanted to come and try. “The course was lots of fun and so challenging when we competed two years ago,” said Christina. “Ever since, all of the girls have been begging to try it, too,” added Joel.
Kyla Woloch, 10, said the moving wall was the hardest part for her. “But I was happy, because the obstacles really challenge you.” Her sister, Natalia, 10, agreed that the moving wall was really hard. “I’m excited I got to experience this with my sister and my cousin.” Amelia Kline, 11, said “The thing on the tree was the hardest for me and the course got muddy by the tires. There is a big puddle of muddy water there.” The girls ran the course several times as their parents cheered them on.
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