This past weekend I participated in my first mud run in Deansboro, NY. I have competed in many regular road races in the past but there was something thrilling about rolling around in piles of mud with thousands of other people. The race was also a great experience because its’ purpose was greater than just a fun race. The run benefited several wonderful charities including the Compeer program which serves adults and children with mental health issues through supportive friendship and mentoring relationships in Utica.This race is not the only of its kind, as just last year 4.2 million people participated in a mud run worldwide (“Obstacle Race” 1). However, as I ran the course, I began to notice that water was being pumped in to make the ground wetter to increase the depth of mud, and the ropes to aid people up the rugged terrain were tied to thin trees that were being torn at unnatural angles.
Although, it benefits a great cause, this run has not always had great support from the public. Amesbury, Massachusetts filed a complaint against “Spartan Run” a brand name nation wide mud run who hosted a 4.8 mile contest there in August 2014. Town officials argued the race damaged wetlands and buffer zones, as well increased noise pollution due to traffic and parking. I saw these same issues at the mud run I participated. in The “Spartan Run” brought in some economic activity to Amesbury, but town officials remain confident they would never host a mud run again (Regan 1). This conflict between potential economic gain, and environmental impact is a concept I have been grappling with all semester. It is a lot easier for me to say I would always chose what is best for the environment when it is in class, but it is much harder when it is a real life application as is apparent from my decision to participate in the mud run.
As I competed in the mud run it was hard for me to only think of the environmental consequences. I saw how important the Daniel Barden Mudfest was to those who miss him, and love to see his message of kindness and community spread through the event. The course is designed so that no one can do it alone, it builds friendship by its very nature. I left the event a little more confused about what the right answer is. I certainly do not like the way the event has the potential to wreak havoc on an ecosystem, but I do like the message it stands for and the widespread positive impacts it has.
Works Cited
"City: Race Damaged Wetlands." Eagle Tribune. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
"Obstacle Races and Mud Runs." Obstacle Race World, 2015. Web. 27 Apr. 2015.
Thank you Abby U for editing
I can certainly relate to your dilemma. I often think of the environmental consequences of certain events and actions and it makes even the most appealing, and good hearted events less alluring. In fact, this post is reminiscent of Gabby's comment while we were in Lake Placid about the wellbeing of Mirror Lake. Mirror Lake is the site of the swimming portion of the annual Lake Placid Iron Man. Because the swim is two and a half miles long, many athletes excrete themselves in the water during the swim. This CERTAINLY makes the idea of an Iron Man less appealing and it unfortunately has negative affects on the lake's ecosystem. Although the Iron Man is a very festive event, and the culminating moment for many who have trained for years to participate in the event, it does have degrading ramifications with regard to the surrounding environment. Thus, It is difficult to find and host an event that is making positive contributions to society and also not harmful to the environment. I believe mud runs have great potential as a fundraiser and festival, but unfortunately, you are right, they are not exactly beneficial to the surrounding environment.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to how you felt during the mud run. There are so many activities—especially within the tourism industry—that are beneficial in many ways, but that are detrimental to the environment. The dilemma of what to support and what not to support can be difficult because some of the benefits are extremely important to other communities. However, people must make the decision of what takes priority: the other cause or the environment. And this is definitely not an easy decision. For me, I would have to consider each situation individually. These types of decisions will become more important as people start to notice how they affect the environment, which makes this dilemma all the more significant.
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