The 9th Annual Mudtastic Classic Is A Hit

Mudtastic Classic runner Sam Fleurantine is excited to make it out of the tunnel, Saturday, June 17, at Wawasee Area Conservancy’s Levinson LaBrosse Lakes & Wetland Education Center. Photos by Blair Baumgartner.
By Blair Baumgartner
InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE — The excitement was palpable for the 9th Annual Mudtastic Classic presented by the K21 Health Foundation. The event was held Saturday, June 17, at the Wawasee Area Conservancy’s Levinson LaBrosse Lakes & Wetland Education Center and 200 participants signed up for this year’s race obstacle course mud run.
Proceeds go to the Syracuse Parks Recreation & Youth Programs. The money raised will benefit the department’s general fund.
The first team to set off on the mud run was “Aches and Pains.” “The Yellowbands” took off onto the obstacle course five minutes later. Teams were given time to stretch and prepare for the race prior to start.
Syracuse Superintendent of Parks Chad Jonsson said, “It’s a great event. It’s a lot of fun. Hopefully, it’s a lot of fun for the community. Approximately 200 participants signed up this year which is good because that’s about as big as we can go without adding some things.”
Syracuse Park Board Member David Johnston said, “I just think it’s a great event for families. There are a lot of laughs. The participants will help each other. This is not a competitive race. They’re going down the slide and will help each other. And the muddier they get, the more they laugh.”
Participants were having the time of their lives. Many runners could be seen laughing as they struggled to make it out of the many muddy obstacles.
Jude Rhodes took on the last obstacle with reckless abandon. He went down the slide and plunged into the mud below. He had to wipe off his glasses.
Rhodes said, “It was great! Very fun! You should definitely do it! It was a great experience!”
- Mudtastic Classic participant Felicia Baker laughs as she makes her way through the mud, Saturday, June 17, at the Mudtastic Classic in Syracuse.
- Mudtastic runner Jude Rhodes is having the time of his life.
- Mudtastic runner Tara Fox plunges into the mud.
- Mudtastic Classic participant Cynthia Centeno is thrilled to be through the tunnel.
- Mudtastic Classic participants take off from the start line.
- A group of Mudtastic participants take off from the start line.
- Mudtastic participant Jesus Centeno gets ready to go down the tunnel slide.
- Welcome to the 9th annual Mudtastic Classic.
- Mudtastic Classic participant Austin Baker plunges into the water.
- Mudtastic Classic participant Becca Stahly safely makes it down the slide.
- Mudtastic Classic participants Tyler Jeckert and his daughter Raelani plunge into the mud at the end of the obstacle course.
- Mudtastic participants Tara Fox, left, and Karen Sulek wade their way through the mud at the bottom of the slide.
- Mudtastic participant Olivia Porter is happy to make it through the tunnel.












