Let’s get dirty! Mighty Mud Mania hits Phoenix.

Without fail, each and every year, Mighty Mud Mania gets better and better.  The City of Scottsdale has stepped it up yet again this year and added a few awesome additions to this annual event.   As far back as I can remember I have looked forward to the disgusting silliness of Mighty Mud Mania, and this year I am delighted to announce an exciting change to the rules of this fundraising event.  This year, organizers are going to let the big kids play! Count me in!

Mighty Mud Mania, or MMM as we veterans know it, has been a summer mainstay since the first muddy race was run in 1976.  This year, Chaparral Park will be turned into a disaster of obstacle courses on Saturday, June 9^th.  This much anticipated event will be even bigger and better than ever and still completely free.  Here’s what to expect:

• The Original Mighty Mud Obstacle Course – This bad boy is different every year, but I can assure you that there will be a net crawl, wall climb, and plenty of mud to stand in the way of the finish line.  The races are broken up into age groups to even the playing field for kids as young as 7 and run in heats of 3 kids at a time.
• The Mini Mud Course – So as not to leave the little ones out, they will construct a muddy, mini version of the big kid obstacle course.  The child must be old enough to make it through the course on their own as mom and dad are way too big to make it through, but there are is no minimum age requirement.
• Water Slides – Think of the biggest slip’n’slide you’ve ever seen and multiply that by twelve.  The water is a cool relief from the summer heat and really helpful in clearing the mud out of those unsuspecting places.
• Fair Food – Snow cones, ice cream, corn dogs, cotton candy, you name it and it will be there for you to indulge.
• Chaparral Park – We can’t forget the multiple playgrounds, the duck lake, the public pool, and acres of grass where the kids can burn off the sugar from ice cream cone you caved on buying them.

Now here’s what you need to know if you’re a first timer:

• Wear tennis shoes you’re willing to throw away before getting in the car.  Barefoot, flip-flops, or Crocs won’t fly.
• Bring a towel or three, a trash bag for muddy gear, and a change of clothes.
• Don’t forget the sunscreen for the parts the mud doesn’t cover.
• You’ll need to sign a waiver before anyone is allowed to race. That’s not too shocking now is it?
• Arrive early to park closer than a mile away, and avoid the long registration lines, which open up at 8am.
• Bring an a few non-perishable food items to donate to the cause. It’s not required but if you’re able to contribute, it is appreciated.

Every year the MMM events are an absolute blast.  Sure it’s an event meant for the kids, but there’s no reason us grown ups can’t get a little silly sometimes! Be sure to check out the MMM Website for rest of the details and to figure out the race times for each age group.