Get Out, Get Active, Get Muddy!

Summer is right around the corner, and with it comes all the opportunity for outdoor family fun and activities. One of the best ways to kick off the summer season is by participating in the Lord’s Gym Kids Mud Run. Located in Oroville, the Kids Mud Run is an annual FREE event for children ages 4-17 and their families. With over a mile of mud, 22 challenging obstacles, three separate age-based course trails, and family heats—where parents and children run the course together—there is plenty of muddy fun to go around!

Started in 2016, the Kids Mud Run is organized by the Lord's Gym Oroville, which is a non-profit, volunteer-run gym dedicated to enhancing the well-being of Oroville and neighboring communities in Butte County. To that end, the Kids Mud Run was designed with the goal of empowering children to overcome challenges and inspiring a positive self-image for every participant. The course started off small with only 183 participants the first year and has grown to an event that attracted over 2,900 runners in 2022.

This FREE Kids Mud Run draws families from across the Northstate, capturing children's love for running, climbing, and getting muddy. The course is designed to be challenging, but also accessible for all skill levels. Both seasoned runners and beginners will find something to enjoy as they run through mud pits and over climbable obstacles. Some of the runners' favorite obstacles include: Nothing But Net (a 20-foot tall climbable net), Daytona (a tireclimbing obstacle with a mud tunnel on one side), and the Shriveller (a cold-water plunge right before the runners reach the finish line). This year, the course is being expanded to include two-to-three water obstacles that were fan favorites in the adult version of the Mud Run, which Lord’s Gym ran from 2014 to 2018.

In addition to the mud run itself, there are a variety of other activities and attractions to enjoy, such as the Superhero School Bell and Mudfest. The Superhero School Bell program encourages kids to dress up in school colors, or as their favorite superhero, to run the race and earn points for their school. The local school that has the greatest participation is rewarded with a trophy and FREE frozen yogurt from Yoville Yogurt in Oroville. Mudfest includes attractions at the Kids Mud Run, such as fun-filled inflatables, bounce houses, and a custom-built sled hill. Families can also sign up to participate in family games like a three-legged race, hot dog eating contest, or talent show. From obstacle courses to minute-to-win-it games, there's something for everyone.

If you're interested in participating, be sure to register early to reserve your spot. This is a popular event, and heats can fill up quickly. Overall, the Lord's Gym Kids Mud Run is a fantastic way to get outside, get active, and have some fun as a family. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity!

Interested families and parents can sign their children up to run at lordsgymmudrun.com. The last day to sign up is May 30, 2023. If you would like to help the Lord’s Gym put on this amazing event for the children of Butte County either by volunteering or sponsoring the event, please contact the Mud Run team at lordsgymmudrun.com/support.