Thursday, May 3, 2012

Merrell Down & Dirty 10K Mud Run

I'm participating in the Merrell Down & Dirty 10K Mud Run on Sunday morning in Miami with a group of 5-6 other runners.....i'm excited but nervous and thought I'd share the course info with you all...
Here's the 10K Course Description
Mile 1 -The entire course is fast and flat and the first mile is no exception! Runners race on dirt and limestone tails that wind around the perimeter of Zoo Miami and the surrounding forests.
Mile 2 -Mile two continues on the perimeter trail. On the runners left is a moat and on the right are thick woods. The trail opens into a field of avocado trees at the 5K/10K split. 10K’ers continue down the perimeter trail as the 5K turns and heads back through the inner zoo trails.
Mile 3 -Runners are back on the perimeter trail with a great opportunity to make up some time or put some distance between themselves and the racer behind them.
Mile 4 -Mile 4 takes runners through a brief section of trails in Larry and Penny Thompson Park and then around the beautiful lake situated outside of the animal enclosures at Zoo Miami. Keep an eye out for animals!
Mile 5 -As runners make their way around the lake, they will have to opportunity to witness the exotic wildlife of the Zoo off to the left side.
Mile 6 -The 10K course joins the 5K course just past the open field and finishes with a straight away sprint before emerging from the trees and getting into the mud
Here's the obstacle list:
5' Walls
These walls are 5 feet tall and require athletes to climb up and over. The walls are smooth and do not have foot holds.  No aid station at this obstacle.
The High Wall (Ladder Style) will stand 8’ tall and consist of beams that run parallel to the ground creating a ladder. Racers will climb up and over the structure.  No aid station at this obstacle.
The Tunnels Obstacles is a series of cloth tubes that require athletes to crawl the tunnel length. No aid station at this location.

The Low Crawl Obstacle is a cargo net about 16 inches off the group requiring athletes to crawl the length of the obstacle.   No aid station at this obstacle.
Inflatables + Aid Station - Look out!  This monster is 20 feet high.  Racers will climb over a wall that will have a cargo net on it to assist them to the top before they slide down the backside of the wall. Aid station at this obstacle.
Tires - This obstacle will consist of 100+ tires in a row. Racers will have to navigate the tires as fast as possible.  No aid station at this obstacle.
Water Crossing - Racers plunge through waist deep water. Although participants will not have to swim the will GET WET! No aid station at this obstacle.

The Marine Hurdles Obstacles is a series of horizontal hurdles at about five feet of the group. This hurdle requires athletes to swing a leg up and over the hurdle. No aid station at this obstacle. 
Sandbag Carry - Participants must carry a 20-40lb sand bag across a designated distance. Any grip is allowed as long as racers do not let the sand bag touch the ground. There is no aid station at this obstacle.
The monkey cross is a 24’ wide, 20’ long box. Participants will cross the 20 gap using a 2” slackline under their feet and a 1” rope above their heads.   There is an aid station at this obstacle.
Balance Beams - The balance beams are 2’ and 3’ from ground level and each participants will have to walk along the top of two beams, lined up end to end. Each beam is 4” wide and 12’ long. There is no aid station at this obstacle.
The Mud Pit Obstacle requires athletes to crawl underneath the flagging the length of the mud pit. No going around! It's time to get dirty!   No aid station at this obstacle.
The Low Wall Obstacles is about four feet tall and requires athletes to climb over. The walls are smooth and do not have foot holds.   Aid station exists at this obstacle.
The Cargo Climb is an 8 foot high structure which requires races to approach the cargo net and proceed to climb over the structure using the netting as their ladder.  No aid station at this obstacle.
High Wall - Racer will summit a 10’ tall vertical wall with climbing holds to assist the racer to the top. Once over the wall participants will land on a platform 6’ off the ground before making their way to the ground. For racers hesitant to scale the 10’ wall there is an 8’ option as well. No aid station at this obstacle.
The Slippery Mountain Obstacles requires users to enter the obstacle under the flagging then assisted by a rope, crawl to the top of the sloped surface and step down the other side.   No aid station ...
The Final Mud Pit Obstacle requires athletes to crawl beneath the flagging the length of the mud pit. No going around! It's time to get even dirtier! Don't worry you can shower off just past the finish line.

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