SPORTS

First JCB Mud Run to be held Saturday

MICAH MCVICKER

A collaboration of Fleet Feet Sports Savannah and Joseph Cyril Bamford North America, a heavy-equipment manufacturing company, the first JCB Mud Run will take place Saturday morning, beginning at 7:30 a.m.

"With the popularity of the mud runs recently, it was kind of a mutual decision on our part and the fine people at JCB," said Chris Ramsey, a manager at Fleet Feet Savannah. "We went ahead and discussed it, and they were really excited about it, so they've gone forward with it."

In a race format that strays from the typical in the Coastal Empire, participants will run through the mud, woods and water.

"It's a 4.3-mile course that has 10 to 12 obstacles - mud pits, walls, hills and descents - and participants go in waves of 25 teams," said Billy Warren, general manager of Fleet Feet Savannah, earlier this week.

Ramsey added that it's nice to have something that's a little bit different.

Ramsey said the Mud Run is an event that's going to get not just your serious runner. It is a great way to get families and friends together to stay in shape and have a good time.

Ramsey said more than 800 two-person teams are registered.

"We're really hoping, and expect to probably get around 900 teams," he said.

In the past few years, JCB has held a 5K on its Pooler property.

This run is purely recreational and family-friendly, and there's no obligation to complete every obstacle.

"You're more than welcome, if something looks too daunting, as far as an event or obstacle, (to) walk or run around it," Ramsey said. "We're not looking for spectacular times. This is just meant to be fun. If it takes you an hour, if it takes you two hours, that's quite alright."

Parking won't be an issue, Ramsey said, as three separate parking lots - including two inside the JCB complex, where their employees park - will be available.

"The people at the Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum have also opened up their parking," Ramsey said. "That's right next door to JCB, so that's not much of a hike at all."

The other will be a field above the water level.

There will not be any road closings or traffic detours as a result of the race.

Ramsey advised spectators to stand next to the main building, as there will be an obstacle near there - about a 15-foot hill that drops into a large mud-and-water pit.

"That's going to be a great area for spectators to view," he said. "It's right next to the lake, which will make for an interesting site because you'll see people crossing that lake on ropes and things like that."

He added the lake isn't deep, so there won't be any reason to worry. There will also be "a nice party atmosphere afterwards."

Ramsey predicts the race will be popular.

"It looks like it's going to pay off to be a great decision."