Reasons to run Dirty Dash
Finally, after decades of a serious void in the Utah running community, the Beehive State’s got its first and only mud run. Enter the Dirty Dash, a 10k winding through the ski runs at Soldier Hollow in Midway. Race day will be Saturday Sept. 25 (the Idaho one kicks-off at Boise’s Bogus Basin on Sept. 18), but Dirty Dash organizers gave the media a “preview” run Tuesday, complete with a mud pit.
(Photo by Jason Olson, Deseret News)
My team of Dirty Farmers — Spencer Craven, Trent Nielson, myself and Breck Laing.
Here are the top 10 reasons to run the race, in no particular order:
10. The course
It’s on trails that have been tackled by Olympic greats, as venue Soldier Hollow was home to cross-country skiing and the biathlon during the 2002 Winter Games. “Rolling” would be the best word to describe the course — runners are tackling the “Roller Coaster” and “Finger of Fate” ski runs. The views of the Heber Valley at 5,700 feet are arguably the best part. And during autumn in Wasatch County, the fall colors are unbeatable.
9. The challenge
Dirty Dash is no easy race. If the hills aren’t enough, runners will have about nine obstacles to tackle — crawling through tubes, climbing over walls, jumping over plus-sized tires. Others sound a bit more fun, like swimming through Deer Creek Reservoir and flying down the massive slip-’n'-slide (excuse me, “slop-’n'-slide”).
8. The mud
That entire course — from the obstacles to the seemingly easier flat sections — will be doused with water. You have no idea how much fun mud can be. On media day, we experienced the mud at the end. We embraced it. It felt good to dive in a cool mud pit after running in the middle of the day (we began at 2 p.m.). Before I knew it, my brother had tackled me into the mud, and he was belly flopping into it with his roommate (Dirty Dash does not joke around when they say the race “converts boy to man and then…man to swine.”) Mud gets everywhere — after showering off, we were still finding mud in our eyes, ears and nose. Small rocks were falling out of my twice-washed hair 12 hours after the race.
7. The organization
The guys behind the Dirty Dash know their stuff. I ran for a bit with race head John Malfatto, a veteran of the Camp Pendleton Mud Runs whose thought about a Utah race for years. It’s well planned. They’re on their way to becoming a loved brand in the area. The marketing is creative, and the web site is good for some laughs, with the opening line to the event explaining:
“Have you ever said to yourself, “Marathons are too easy, and Triathlons are for sissies?” We haven’t either…those races are really hard. Think about it…the first person to run a marathon actually died. HE DIED!…and he probably didn’t even have fun along the way!”
6. The camaraderie
Running is the icebreaker, the friend maker, the magnetic social bond that brings strangers together. So is mud the glue? The energy of this mud run is contagious. Runners can race as an individual or in teams of five. If you can round-up four of your buddies, I’d recommend the latter.
5. The costumes
Oh yes, there will be costumes. We took the Dirty Dash pig theme to heart and went as the Dirty Farmers. Complete with flannel shirts, cut-off jeans and overalls, and cowboy hats. Themed team names and accompanying costumes will abound.
4. The charity
The “Hog Wash” obstacle gives spectators a chance to get in on the action and donate to a good cause. For $1, people can buy a water balloon to pelt at runners as they go by. Salt Lake County alternative school Vista will prepare and sell the 2,000 watery weapons and some Super Soakers. Proceeds will go to a charity of the students’ choice.
3. The hilarity
It’s a toss-up over what will be more sore — your legs from running hills or your sides from laughing. Watching adults fall through mud has an “America’s Funniest Home Videos”-esque entertainment value to it. Getting in on the action yourself — even better.
2. The battle wounds
Yeah, you’ll get a few scraps and bruises. (I’m staring at a 4-inch cut down my shin). That’s part of the fun. You’ll be pretty hardcore explaining to friends “Oh, that cut? I ran 6 miles on ski runs, covered in mud. It’s no big deal.”
1. The pictures
Because this:
(Photo by Jason Olson, Deseret News)
Is priceless.