Mudathlon

Event brings competitors from across U.S. to get muddy

Thousands of people from around the country descended upon the Niederman Family farm for the 2011 Cincinnati Mudathalon, a grueling course taking them through woodlands, tunnels and smoke, over walls and hay bales, and sliding down steep inclines, Saturday.

Staff photo by Kareem Elgazzar Thousands of people from around the country descended upon the Niederman Family farm for the 2011 Cincinnati Mudathalon, a grueling course taking them through woodlands, tunnels and smoke, over walls and hay bales, and sliding down steep inclines, Saturday.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Drake Taylor from Cincinnati crawls through the mud during the 2011 Cincinnati Mudathlon on Saturday at Niederman Family Farm.

Staff photo by Nick Graham Drake Taylor from Cincinnati crawls through the mud during the 2011 Cincinnati Mudathlon on Saturday at Niederman Family Farm.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Gin A. Ando, Staff Writer Updated 9:42 PM Saturday, August 13, 2011

LIBERTY TWP. — Those who completed the test did not come out clean.

Thousands people from around the country descended upon the Niederman Family Farm on LeSourdesville-West Chester Road to test themselves Saturday in the 2011 Cincinnati Mudathlon — a grueling course taking them through woodlands, tunnels and smoke, over walls and hay bales, and sliding down steep inclines — mostly while completely slathered in mud.

They came from all over the country to do three things: get muddy, defeat obstacles and, for some, drink beer.

Ron Gibbs, 52, of Eastgate, has competed in endurance trials before, but said the course at the Niedermans’ farm was a tough test.

“I’ve done triathlons before, but this was something different,” he said. “The obstacles aren’t bad — they’re actually kind of fun — but the running from obstacle to obstacle is (what’s tiring).”

The farm was essentially turned into a fairgrounds for the “mudathletes” and came complete with live music, food, beer and water stations.

Ambulances and medics were on hand — just in case.

While the event was open to everyone and anyone, qualifications are virtually nonexistent aside from signing a waiver. Even some experienced runners found the Mudathlon to be a challenge.

Although the list of competitors was dominated by Ohioans, the Mudathlon’s draw brought in people from as far as North Carolina and Wyoming for a race that, for some, lasted less than an hour.

“It was awesome, but it was hard,” said Annie Beck, 25, of Erlanger, Ky. “It was harder than the Warrior Dash (a similar, nationwide competition).”

Tim Durham, 42, of Eastgate said it became more of a test of will by the end of the course.

“By the last mile, it felt like a 10K,” Durham said. “But it was a lot of fun.”

The total number of participants was not available Saturday, but 3,600 registered for the event.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5073 or gando@coxohio.com.

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