When most people hear “mud run,” they think of obstacle races focused more on crawling and chaos than actual running. The Hagg Mud is different. This is a true mud run, with no obstacles, no gimmicks, and plenty of real trail running—just with a lot more mud.
And not all mud is the same at Hagg Lake.
You’ll encounter slick, slimy mud on climbs and descents, often carved into ruts from mountain bikes. The best approach here is simple: trust your trail shoes, keep moving, and stay slightly forward so your feet keep cycling underneath you.
There’s also thick, sticky mud that cakes onto your shoes and slows everything down. This stuff shows up right when you think you might be able to open things up. Every so often, you’ll want to stop and scrape some of it off—your shoes will thank you.
Finally, there’s the infamous shoe-sucking muck. It’s most noticeable late in the race and has claimed more than a few pairs of shoes over the years. Lace up tight and consider gaiters if you want extra protection. This is the mud that convinces many runners their shoes are officially “done.”
There are multiple cut-off times on the course. Runners must pass through the start/finish aid station by 4:00 pm to continue. You’ll also need to reach the Dam aid station by 1:15 pm and Fenders Blue by 3:00 pm, which works out to roughly a 17:10 per mile pace.
Choose from a 25k or 50k (1 or 2 loops). The longer distance will feature five aid stations where the shorter will have two. Regardless, runners are strongly encouraged to carry their own hydration and nutrition. Aid stations typically offer fruit, sweet and salty snacks, soda, Gatorade and GU. The race is cupless, so bring your own bottle or cup.
Plan to dress for the weather—Hagg Lake is often 5–10 degrees cooler than the Portland metro area. Drop bags are available at the start/finish and can be accessed after the first loop. Crews are allowed and can provide support at each aid station.
Check out our recaps here!
- 2023 Hagg Mud 50K recap
- Getting Down and Dirty at the 2022 Hagg Mud Run
- Race Recap: 2019 ORCC Hagg Mud Runs
Hagg Lake has a reputation for a reason. It’s messy, challenging, and unapologetically muddy—but for runners looking for a true mud run, that’s exactly the appeal.
