The Battlegrounds Ninth Bi-Annual Race

The Battlegrounds, St. Louis' largest permanent mud run obstacle course, will hold its ninth bi-annual race.  Runners can select to destroy either a 5k or five-mile mud run where they will experience the demands of more than 30 military-themed obstacles for those who want to test their physical and mental abilities.

The Battlegrounds is St. Louis' only permanent qualifying event venue for the OCRWC.

Unlike its competition, The Battlegrounds features plenty of freebies including free spectator admission, free parking, free gear check and a free kids' mud zone area for children 12 and under.  It also offers the unusual amenity of on-site showers for mud run participants.  Post-event activities include individual and group award presentations, a festival area with food and drinks, and walkable access to the adjacent Cedar Lake Cellars winery.

The run's obstacles, which vary each year to ensure new challenges, include the signature Torpedo Launcher, a 100-foot water slide that empties into a 12-foot deep water pit.  Other highlights include The Gauntlet, which is six lanes of varying difficulties situated over an eight-foot deep water pit.  The Battlegrounds incorporates all types of terrain including creeks, woods, fields and valleys that add to the intenses level of competition.

Proceeds and a canned food drive held at the mud run will benefit Operation Food Search, a hunger relief organization that provides food and nutrition education.  The Battlegrounds will work with the ShoeCrew to collect racer's shoes, with proceeds from this funding a new well in Kashongi Village, Uganda.

Options include a 5k or five-mile mud run.