Hagg Lake Mud Run

Distances: 50k, 25k

http://www.haggmud.com/

This race is all about the mud, so times can vary greatly from year to year. I've done it twice now, 2011 and 2012, both were, I think, considered 'fast' years but that mostly meant that conditions tended more toward the slick than the boggy. I'd recommend screw shoes for maximum traction if it weren't for the 1/2 mi of pavement as you cross the dam. The 25k is a short out-and-back followed by one lap on the single track around Hagg Lake. The 50k is a slightly longer out-and-back and 2 laps around Hagg Lake. The terrain is mostly rolling with the longest hill of at the start of the race on the out-and-back. This is a fantastic course for spectators because the trail comes up to the road 4-5 times on each lap. The 50k is run on Saturday with the 25k on Sunday. Post race burgers and grilled cheese were provided but even if it's sunny, Feb is cold for hanging out and nobody finishes dry, so most runners disperse an hour or 2 after they finish. There are a series of training runs in the months leading up the the event and the RD tries to give small benefits, like better parking spots, to the folks who attend them. The training events start very punctually, sometimes even a little early, so make sure you arrive on time! (I know one person who had to play catch up because he was in the porta-potty for the start of the 2012 race.)