Base, community push limits during Moody Mudder

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jamal Sutter
  • 23d Wing Public Affairs
RAY CITY, Ga. --  More than 500 Team Moody members and community locals got down and dirty during the first-ever Moody Mudder run April 26.

The event took place at Possum Creek All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Park and featured two courses--a 5k course designed for teenagers and adults and a 2K course tailored for children, so runners of all ages could get involved.

"The intent was to bring families together, so they could just have fun," said Capt. Melissa Garica, 23d Mission Support Group executive officer and Moody Mudder event coordinator. "Our Airmen are always deploying and working hard, so it was an avenue and opportunity [for them to] come and just have a good time."

The adult course featured 10 obstacles including a log crawl, a wall climb and monkey bars, but it started off with a mud pit that gave some participants quite a challenge right out of the gate.

"It was quite deceiving," Garcia said when speaking of the mud pit. "People thought it was maybe a couple inches deep, but it ended up being a foot to five feet deep."

Runners were allowed to take part in the course alone, but the team concept was highly encouraged and displayed with participants wearing matching, themed outfits and motivating each other through obstacles. One team, the Scrambled Legs, said the Moody Mudder is definitely something they'd participate in again.

"It was awesome," said Anna Garza, 23d Wing chapel and Scrambled Legs team member. "All of it was actually pretty challenging ... everything was pretty fun."

To ensure event success, Moody coordinated and worked hand-in-hand with the park's owners, who expressed their pleasure in partnering with the base for an event.

"We're thrilled to have Moody come out here," said Leigh Hendley, park co-owner. "Moody does a lot for our surrounding counties, and they do a lot for our school systems, so we're happy to provide a place for them to come."

The initial goal for the Moody Mudder was only 160 runners, but more than 100 participants alone signed up the morning of the run. With it being such a hit, Garcia said it's likely to become an annual event.