MORGANTOWN – Excitement is running high as folks are gearing up for the ‘Mighty Cougar’ a countryside Mud Run with a Pig Roast Lunch. It cannot get much better than that for some outside fun.
Ken Thompson, Mighty Cougar event coordinator, announced, ‘This event (will) be held Saturday, April 27 at Conestoga Christian School and at Mast Farms. The 5K Race starts at 9:30 a.m., and the Walk begins at 9:35 a.m. Registration opens the day of the event at 8 a.m. and closes at 9:20 a.m.’
If you like the challenge of rough and tumble and are not afraid of a little mud and creek water this is an event you cannot miss, so come join the fun.
The starting point for the event course is the Conestoga Christian School soccer field (2760 Main St., Morgantown). The first portion of the race heads downhill on a gravel road near an adjacent farm, followed by a run through the remains of a corn field and across the ‘mighty’ Conestoga River.
Thompson continued, ‘Be prepared to get wet and dirty. Mud-holes, tire weaving -get out that quick footwork – hay bale hurdles, climbing over walls, rolls of hay and dirt hills, and running inside and on top of cars. Finish the race at the soccer field and celebrate victory with a pig roast lunch, great music and award ceremony.’
Thompson said, ‘I participated in a Mud Run at Weaver’s Orchard and the people had ear to ear smiles. It wasn’t hard convincing Phil Yoder, the school athletic director at Conestoga Christian, and Vernon Murphy, the founder of One Run Together, that this would be a great hit with the public,’ he added. All three are members of the Conestoga Christian School Booster Club.
All proceeds from the race will benefit The Conestoga Christian School and local cancer patients (through the One Run Together – an area non-profit cancer organization which helps local patients with their medical and other bills.)
‘Our goals are simple – to raise awareness of the challenges families face when battling cancer and to also increase support for families needing financial assistance to obtain a quality Christian education,’ said Thompson.
Contained in the Mud Run are a series of twelve sponsored challenges: Hot feet/Burnin-up – Fire jump; Up-n-the-hay – Large hay bale climb; Water -Kross – Creek crossing; Mud boot shuffle – Mud pit; Sods Up -Dirt pile/mound; Changin Lanes – Stacked tire weave; Splash Away Zone – Over under through creek; Hangin Around -Hanging obstacles; Gaper Delay Commuter Special -Car cross/tires step through; Up-n-Over – Wall climb; Hay Maker Lane – regular size hay bales; and Nothing but Net – 10 foot cargo net up and over.
Each 5k participant gets a t-shirt, water, and pig roast lunch after the race. Tim Detwilers ‘Stampede Smoker BBQ’ will be preparing the pig roast lunch – a puled pork sandwich, fresh cut french fries, cole slaw, a drink, and a whoopee pie. Also available are apples, candy, drinks and a Booster Club cake stand.
Water stations on the course will be set up courtesy of Weavers Orchard. There will be ample parking and indoor restrooms. Carl Wingard, Inc. is supplying a four wheel golf cart and EMTs will be on hand at the Fire Jump.
Goody Bags are being prepared and donated by Berg Construction LLC, and t-shirts with the sponsors’ logos will be given to all participants. Sponsors of this event include: Stolzfus Farms (donating the hay bales); Susquehana Bank; Masthof Press; Conebella Farm; C & M Automotive Repair; Carol A. Forrell, CPA; Design Services out of Boston; BenCo Technology, LLC; Weavers Orchard; and the Conestoga Christian School Boosters Club.
5k race awards will be presented to the first, second and third male and female overall finishers and also to the first place male and female finishers in each age group. Age groups include: 12 and under, 13-15, 16-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60+. The award ceremony is at 11 a.m. The race is accurately wheel measured and timed by Athlete’s Closet Running Store. The one mile walk participants are not timed or awarded.
This is the inaugural Mighty Cougar event – so come out set a course record.
Registration prices and information are as follows:
Online registration can be found at www.oneruntogether.org/races/ and will close on April 23.
1 Mile Fun Walk- $5 per person; Age 7 & under walk FREE
1 Mile Fun Walkers can buy 5K T-shirt: $10, Pig roast meal: $8.50
Adult 5K Reg. (Ages 18 & up) up to Apr. 23rd $40, Day of Reg. $45
Student 5K Reg. (Ages 7-17) $20, Day of $25.
Minimum age to participate is 7 years old.
For more information visit www.oneruntogether.org/races/ and www.conestogachristian.net or contact Conestoga Christian School at 610-286-0353.
