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Benefiting Edwardsville’s High school and Middle school Cross Country/ Track & Field teams, this year’s race will feature a few new changes. For the first time ever, Mud Mountain will have team divisions. Team divisions will include a Woman’s Division and a Men’s Division. Teams can include four to seven runners, as the top four finishers on each team will count in scoring. The winning team in each division will win a team plaque and all team members will receive championship medals.
This year’s race will also offer an option to make the course more challenging for those looking for a little something extra. Optional hay bales will be placed strategically along the course. The hay bales are easily avoidable for those interested in a typical cross-country course, but will be present for those looking for more of a European cross-country course.
The Mud Mountain 5K is open to all ages and takes place at 8 a.m. Saturday at the SIUE cross country course. The 5K will have chip timing and rapid results by Final Lap Race Management. The fun run immediately follows the 5K.
Everyone who enters will receive a Gildan Performance sport shirt. Prizes and awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age division. Age Divisions start at 11 years old “so this is a great place to either start the kids out or discover that hidden running talent.”
“Mud Mountain is one of the few 5k cross-country races that are available to all runners,” Patrylak said. “It is a great opportunity to get children introduced to the sport, as well as providing an opportunity for adults to get off the concrete and asphalt and on to the soft surface of a cross-country course.” Mud Mountain also offers more age divisions than most races. “Approximately half the runners that compete in Mud Mountain are under the age of 19,” added Patrylak. “Since we have so many young runners, our age divisions are set up to benefit the younger participants.”
Mud Mountain is put on by the EHS Cross-Country and Track and Field Booster Club. The funds are used to support the cross-country and track and field programs at Liberty Middle School, Lincoln Middle School and EHS during the season.
Although Coach Patrylak has been associated with the program since Mud Mountain XII, Mud Mountain XIX marks the first time he will be serving as Race Director. “Taking a line from EHS Principal, Dennis Cramsey, my goal as race director is to make Mud Mountain XIX the best Mud Mountain ever,” added Patrylak about his hopes for the event.
Early Registration will be available at The Cyclery, Friday July 25 from 10:00 to 8:00 or at the race site Saturday.
Online Registration at www.finallapracing.com/mudmountain.html closes late Wednesday.
For additional information go to www.mudmountain.org
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