Mud Run turns Pocono Raceway into dirty scene for female empowerment

This annual event is geared towards empowerment of women. Sponsors have raised over $300,000 for breast cancer research since 2017, when a team member was diagnosed with the disease.

The “Aveng-hers” (note the spelling) were a team of workers from a New York facility for disabled adults, ranging in age from 13-64 years old. Team member the mountain of mud” and “pushing my cousin in the mud.”

Brittani Steiger, who was celebrating her 35th birthday, shared, “It’s fun, dirty…the best bonding and submerging in mud.”

A common theme throughout the day was one of fun and support. As Lauren Auchter, 35, crossed the finished line with her friend Michele Hipp, 42, she expressed the great feeling of “conquering everything together.”

Story & photos

by Lori R. Cooper

A 5k muddy obstacle course that was created at Pocono Raceway on June 3 and 4 provided a challenge for the over 13,000 girls and women who participated and a lot of fun, too.

Seventeen stations were either dirty, fun, or a test of strength and agility. The first obstacle was the mud crawl, where participants began their mud journey climbing under ropes in the mud. Other obstacles included a big slide, balance beam, cargo pyramid and cargo wall.

Trudy Unger, 64, has been in remission from breast cancer for two months after being diagnosed in 2021. She noted the feeling of solidarity and support of everyone participating.

Cousins 13 year-old Kae’leigh and 14 year-old Jaliyah Ortiz from Allentown said the best part was “climbing up and down

A changing/rinsing station was available and much needed. All participants got a Mud Girl tattoo, bag, water bottle, headgear and a medal at the finish line. They posed for photos with an “I conquered Mud Run” background and clearly enjoyed the fun day getting down and dirty.