One of the new trends in fitness and running are Mud Runs. Take your pick from the original Mud run, Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, Spartan DEATH Run, and the list goes on and on. These runs seem like a good time, well, to some anyway. But there are more dangers then you think involved in running these races.
Disease/Infection - Tuberculosis, Staph infection, Flu, Mrsa infection, and other infections and diseases have been related to partaking in mud runs and swimming in the communal waters that come with these.
Injury – Injuries for these races are going far beyond the typical sprained ankle or broken wrist. Back in 2010 a man in the Filthy 5K Mud Run became partially paralyzed after landing in a man-made mud pit. There is another report of a participant in a mud run breaking his neck.
Hypothermia/Heat Exhaustion – Swimming through iced down waters and crawling in freezing steel mud tubes in the dead of winter sounds like a great time! Enjoy that hypothermia that comes after. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are risks any racer takes when running in high temperatures.
Drowning – A man in Texas died from drowning in The Original Mud Run in April of this year. Bulky clothing + Heavy boots + insanely large masses of people in a body of water together = a recipe for disaster.
Here is a snipped from the Crazy Mud Run’s liability release for your reading pleasure:
“I understand that participating in The Crazy Mud Run is a hazardous activity. I acknowledge that The Crazy Mud Run is an extreme test of my physical and mental limits that carries with it inherent risks of physical injury that cannot be eliminated completely, including but not limited to an above-average risk of death and/or serious injury.
I expressly, knowingly and voluntarily assume all of the risks of participating in The Crazy Mud Run. I understand and acknowledge that these risks include, but are not limited to: falls; illness; infection; contact or collision with spectators, personnel, and other pedestrians; contact or collision with motor vehicles or machinery; contact or collision with other participants of varying skill levels; contact and the effects of contact with natural and man-made fixed objects; natural and man-made water, road and surface hazards; close proximity and/or contact with thick smoke and/or open flames; inadequate competition equipment and/or equipment failure; dangers arising from weather conditions, including but not limited to extreme heat, cold, humidity, ice, rain, or fog; imperfect course conditions; and inadequate safety measures.
I understand and acknowledge that these risks may cause harms including, but not limited to: bodily injury, ranging from minor to severe; illness or infection, ranging from minor to severe; physical and/or mental effects of exposure to extreme conditions and circumstances, ranging from minor to severe; temporary or permanent disability; paralysis; death; and property damage or loss.
I understand that the risks of participating in The Crazy Mud Run may be caused in whole or in part by: my own actions or inactions; the actions or inactions of other participants; the actions or inactions of spectators or other pedestrians; and/or the acts, inactions, or negligence of the Released Parties (as defined below). I accept full and sole responsibility for the condition and adequacy of my equipment.”
Hmmmm….. tell me, why do these races seem like a good idea?!?
Tags: disease, Fitness, Flu, MRSA, mud run, run, running, safety, Spartan DEATH run, staph, TB, Tough Mudder, tuberculosis, Warrior Dash
They are a great idea. I’ve done 10+ of them in the last year, no injuries or diseases acquired. I’ve also made some if the best friends I could ask for. Everything comes with risk and if you compare the millions of people that participate with the number of serious injuries per year you’ll find it to be a very small percentage. I personally invite you to run an event with me and see for yourself.
Why are these events a good idea??????
How about FUN! Not a boring gym or normal 5k. Mud runs are a blast. Every race has different obstacles. The people are awesome to hang with. Very helpful and motivating. I belong to team MudRunFun and we are the largest mud run team. Our group is always helpful to new members, passionate about fitness and generally great people.
If you want to get fit or just have a good time a mud run is the best choice.
Obviously you have NOT ran in one of these events. This sport is changing lives. It’s taking people who once never exercised and getting them up and moving for a change. It’s both awesome for the competitive soul and the team spirited. There’s nothing else quite like it. As far as the germs go, I’m more afraid of the germs in the local hospital and the grocery cart handle than I am a mud pit. You should really read this article. People are so germaphobic these days it’s actually making people more vulnerable to sickness. Why do Americans get sick more often from germ related illness than those who live in tribes? It obviously has to do with immune systems to some degree. Overall the point is just I think there is a degree of being over paranoid about dirt and mud. The accidents of falling or breaking something are yes more likely than other events, but does that stop people from playing football, baseball or soccer? No. It’s the same thing but a different game. I highly recommend you get out and try one of these events. They are amazing and have changed my life for the better. I am inspired and motivated like never before. I have hated running my entire life, but THIS, I love.
11 obstacle races down and many more to go-
http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=11&sid=493934
You pointed out all things that could happen or be picked up at your local hospital or grade school for that matter. These are the same dangers that someone could face during a day at the beach or pool, except that most people don’t swim with heavy clothes or boots on. There still has to be some common sense and personal accountability by anyone who attends ANY event to include mud runs, concerts, theme parks, triathalons, and etc. I would love to see your references for the diseases and infections comments. Exactly how many cases of TB have been linked to mud runs?
To the poster:
I understand your fears but it sounds like the fears came first and that you found evidence to back up why you SHOULD fear the mud runs. The same can be done for flying in a plane, taking an elevator, hiking, skiing, etc., if anyone has fears about any of those activities.
I have to agree with the other comments in saying that it’s fun, challenging, and the vast majority of participants come away from these events with a sense of accomplishment and joy.
But no worries, if you’re not feeling called to participate, perhaps you’ll enjoy other activities more than you would a mud run.
I completed my first and last mud run today. It seemed like a great idea at them time to supplement my jogging, swimming, and cycling routine. However, I was not prepared for the severe temp drop in the water.
The 2nd to last obstacle was a zipline dropping into a pond and swimming to shore. The temp drop was more than I was able to handle, and the weighed down shoes that I had on dragged me deeper than I planned. The staff at the event was not paying attention, and if a fellow competitor had not heard me calling for help I could have drowned.
I am not dramatic, and the reaction from my wife as she watched with horror from the shore, and could tell I was struggling. The lack of safety requirements for these events is horrendous.
Going forward I will stick with sprint triathlons, road races, and cycling events. Better organized, and I have never feared for my life as I did today.
The poster makes great comments that should be considered before entering these events. And for the record yes it is March, but I live in Texas and it was in the 70′s today. Weather was fine, water was extremely cold, staff safety attention was terrible.