Get Dirty at the 2024 Mud, Sweat, and BBQ

You may have noticed that obstacle course races (OCRs) in the Portland area are becoming fewer and farther between. If you’re like me and itching for a taste of an OCR, I’d recommend getting registered for Mud, Sweat, and BBQ at the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm in Woodburn. This 5K mud run, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Woodburn, is super low key and perfect for the first timer or the veteran OCR racer.

This off-road event includes 12-20 obstacles using the terrain of the farm and creative uses for farm stuff like hay bales and irrigation pipes. I ran this the last 2 years and particularly enjoyed the speedy slip and slide into the pond and the over-under irrigation pipe obstacle. The giant hay bales turned out to be my nemesis, so I’ve got this one on my radar for a rematch!

This event has no penalties or requirements for obstacle completion, so there’s no pressure if you’re a newbie and uncomfortable with an obstacle. If needed, you may bypass any obstacle. But, in my opinion, you really should at least try all of them! You don’t want to miss out on any of the fun. Mud, Sweat, and BBQ is untimed, so there’s no time pressure for completion either.

You can even bring the kids for this one. There will be a Kids Only heat (13 and under) in the afternoon or let them run with you if they (and you) are up for it.

Afterwards, you can hose the mud off – ‘cuz you’re going to need to – and then enjoy some live music and food and drink from local vendors at the BBQ Contest and Garden Party.

Trust me, you’re gonna have fun with this one! So, if you haven’t already – get yourself signed up!