X

Colton Mud Fling 5k road course sees 95 competitors battle through mud pits, scale walls, hurdle log piles

Posted 6/2/14

Corrected 1:19 p.m. COLTON -- Ninety-five runners competed in the inaugural Colton Mud Fling 5K road course. This was no ordinary 5K. The road course over hilly terrain was followed by half-mile of …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Colton Mud Fling 5k road course sees 95 competitors battle through mud pits, scale walls, hurdle log piles

Posted

Corrected 1:19 p.m.

COLTON -- Ninety-five runners competed in the inaugural Colton Mud Fling 5K road course.

This was no ordinary 5K. The road course over hilly terrain was followed by half-mile of obstacles on the Colton Fireman’s Field. The obstacle course offered challenges such as log pile hurdles, walls to scale, mud pits to negotiate and mazes of simulated barbed wire to crawl under.

Mud runs have been popular in other parts of the country for several years and are just now making their way to the North Country. A few have been held at ski areas but this is one of the first local events.

Most runners were local, but a few came from other parts of the state and from as far away as North Carolina. This style of race offers an opportunity for slower runners, who may do well in the obstacle portion, to compete favorably. There were options for racers to compete as individuals or as part of a team. Team members may assist one another on the obstacles.

These are fun events where everyone supports one another, many compete in costume, and laughter is part of the game.

Race organizer Kevin Lamora deemed the event a success.

In this year’s event the top male finisher was George Berg of Albany, an internationally ranked runner in his age division in track and field. The fastest female, and second to cross the finish line, was Beth Nee of Canton.

The best finish by a team was the Dirty White Girls of Colton. Muddiest competitor went to Brooke Wilson of Colton.

The event benefitted the Colton Fire and Rescue Squad and Colton Recreation.

Other events coming in Colton are the ‘Round the Islands Canoe Race, the Higley Hundred Bike Tour, and the Higley Hustle Cross Country Ski Race.

Colton offers some of the best terrain and least crowded roadways for cycling in the North Country. The many flows of the Raquette provide a wealth of opportunities for swimming, canoeing and kayaking, boating, fishing and water skiing. Higley Flow State Park, a very popular campground, offers hiking trails, water access and private wooded sites and miles of groomed cross country skiing in the winter months. In addition, a substantial portion of the County Snowmobile Trail Network lies within the town.

Colton has become a mecca for recreation. Many opportunities for recreation for all, and particularly for youth, have been made available recently through the tireless efforts of Lamora. He has spearheaded the Kids’ Fishing Derby in Colton which is held in July. This event was huge last year and promises to be even bigger this year.

In addition, other new activities in Colton include a “pump” bike course, tee ball for children, a very active broomball league in the winter months, and table tennis leagues at the school. Mountain bike trails have been developed in the town, as well as continued improvements on the Stone Valley Trail, the ice rink and in the South Colton Athletic Fields.