EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) -- With the name TrackTown USA, it's no surprise to see a standard footrace every weekend in Eugene, but Saturday the city hosted one of the most unique and filthy races out there: the Dirty Dash.
The Dirty Dash is a one-of-a -kind event that’s been growing on the west coast for the last several years. The race puts runners through a very different kind of 10K event, taking them off the track and into an obstacle course.
Saturday, July 21, 2012’s race was the first Dirty Dash to be held in Oregon. A sell-out group of more than 5,000 people took part, running through a four-mile course at Buford Park in the Mount Pisgah area.
The course is full of obstacles like an A-frame net climb, a beer / root beer drinking station and - of course - the dirty part: a giant mud pit.
Dashers say there’s nothing like it.
“All of the free things of the world, this is becoming your child self again! This is good times, this is what it’s all about!” said Devin Boden of Springfield, a runner participating in the Dash.
“You can not exercise at all and do this. It's all pretty fun,” said Heidi M, a runner from Salem.
“Some of them are a little unstable but there's some log jams so there’s some walking involved. It's not bad for the running,” said Shale D, another runner from Salem.
The event also raised money for various charities. In Eugene, the local YMCA is benefiting. It gets paid 75 dollars for each volunteer it supplies.
“It really gives up a greater opportunity to let folks know what we do at the YMCA. We'll be using this money for scholarships because we don't ever turn a child away from any of our child care programs or in the summer camps for financial reasons,” said Clare Feighan, Development Director for the YMCA of Eugene.
The YMCA estimates the Dirty Dash will help it raise about %5,000 this year for scholarships.
