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By JESS MANCINI
Staff Reporter
VIENNA -- The fourth annual Vienna Mud Run hosted by the YMCA of Parkersburg will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. Saturday.
The 1.25 mile-long course will stretch from the wooded area behind the Vienna Recreation Center and Jackson Middle School and will include at least 12 obstacles that include the mud pit, military crawl, 70-foot slip and slide, cargo net climb, horizontal climbing wall and the ninja warrior steps, according to the YMCA's description of the course.
"It's a cool event," Mayor Randy Rapp said.
The city is always looking for activities that appeal to all age groups, Rapp, a supporter of the race, said. The Mud Run includes everything that youth and younger adults enjoy, like obstacles and mud, he said.
"What little kid doesn't like playing in the mud," Rapp said. "If I was younger, I'd be right out there after them."
The Vienna Mud Run is well attended, the mayor said. The site is easily accessible and parking is plentiful, Rapp said.
Criss Welshans, program director at the YMCA of Parkersburg, is appreciative of the partnership with the City of Vienna.
"I am looking forward to seeing our Mud Run grow with more families taking advantage of this fun event," Welshans said.
The sign-in station on Saturday will be at the Vienna Recreation Center beginning at 8:30 a.m. with walk-in registrations ending at 10 a.m. Registration is available online at www.parkersburgymca.org.
Runners will be sent in heats of up to 10 racers every 10 minutes. The first heat of runners will start at 9:30 a.m.
Organizers recommend wearing active clothes that don't matter how messy they get and a complete change of clothes including shoes and a towel. Participants under 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
Along with the mud run-style race, an event will be held for teams of five competing for the Mud Run Cup. The winning team will hold the title until the 2025 Mud Run.
The registration fee per team is $150.
The cost per participant is $24 for YMCA members, $60 for YMCA family members, $30 per person for non-members and $70 for non-member families. A family is defined as three or more members.
The top male finishers in the 2023 Mud Run open category were: first, Ben Bauserman, 12:37.2; second, Spencer Rehl, 12:43.9; and third, H. Geer, 13:45.1.
The top female finishers open category were: first, J. Eddy, 13:47.9; second, Jillian Eddy, 18:38.1; and third Emily Hersberger, 20:45.5.
The 2023 Mud Run Cup winner was the Mind Over Mudder team with a time of 1:27:40.1. Members of Mine Over Mudder were Ben Bauserman, Spencer Rehl, Emily Hersberger, John Doe No. 3 and Haley Bennett.
No. 2 was the Team Predator No. 2 with a time of 1:30:12.1. Members are H. Geer, Gayson Litton, G. Coleman, K. Geer and Carter Stephens.
Team Predator No. 1 with a time of 1:38:42.4. Runners were J. Eddy, K. Villarreal, T. Conley, C. Hyer and R. Krieg.
Male 10-under: first, Connor Hughes; second, Blaise Wilson; third, Graham Stephens.
Male 11-15: first, Levi Mohr; second, Cody Brogan; third, Maverik Wilson.
Male 16-over: first, Parker Olson; second, Sullivan Wilson; third, Michael Johnson.
Female 10-under: first, Aspen Ritchie; second, Ember Wilson; third, Ansley Tebay.
Female 11-15: first, Adley Ritchie; second, Aven Ritchie; third, Addison Craven.
Female 16-over: first, Jocelyn Hively; second, Tonya Hopkins; third, Amber Tebay.
Sponsors of the 2024 Mud Run are Sheetz, Reed Byers, Energy Transportation and WVU Medicine.
For more information about the Mud Run or additional events, call the YMCA at 304 485-5585, go to www.parkersburgymca.org or email Welshans at chris.welshans@parkersburgymca.org.