THE BATTLEGROUNDS Returns to St. Louis, Today

Mud devotees come from near and far to battle at The Battlegrounds, a place which calls upon all your strength - upper body, core power, balance and agility - to conquer the industry's most difficult permanent obstacles. The Battlegrounds continues to annually draw participants from over 25 states due to its nationwide recognition and ever-changing challenges.

The Battlegrounds, St. Louis' largest permanent mud run obstacle course, will hold its 10th bi-annual race on Sat., Sept. 23 beginning at 8 a.m. Runners can enlist for 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 located at 11008 Schreckengast Rd. in Wright City, Mo. next to Cedar Lake Cellars winery and event venue.

The Battlegrounds is St. Louis' only permanent qualifying event venue for the Obstacle Course Racing World Championships (OCRWC). Runners can qualify for their upcoming international race, which is scheduled for Oct. 13 through 15, 2017 in Blue Mountain, Ontario.

Unlike its competition, The Battlegrounds features plenty of freebies including free spectator admission so guests can watch their loved ones from many course vantage points. Free parking, free gear check and a free kids' mud zone area for children 12 and under are available, as well as 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 terrains including creeks, woods, fields and valleys that add to the intense level of competition.

Proceeds and a canned food drive held at the mud run will benefit Operation Food Search (OFS), a hunger relief organization that provides food and nutrition education. Founded in 1981, OFS helps feed more than 200,000 individuals on a monthly basis - one-third of which are children - through a network of 330 community partners in 31 Missouri and Illinois counties, as well as in the city of St. Louis.

The Battlegrounds will work with Funds2Orgs.com to collect and donate racer's shoes to those in developing nations with proceeds benefitting Operation Food Search.

The Battlegrounds will host an exclusive wave designated for elite runners to race others with similar abilities. The 8 a.m. wave is limited to the first 250 runners who can maintain an 8 minute 30-second mile pace. Awards are presented to the top three individuals for their gender in the 18 to 30, 31 to 41, and 41 and older age groups.

All participants must be 18 years of age or older. Ticket prices range from $90 to $150 for premium morning time slots and $70 to $130 for general afternoon admission that does not include race timing. For more information, visit http://www.thebattlegrounds.com or call (314) 569-3005 ext. 114.

To post a comment, you must register and login.