by Kim Kilpatrick
June 2, 2011 1:51 PM
When we were all kids there was one thing we all loved to do that our parents probably didn’t like so much. Whenever it would rain and mud puddles would pop up all over the place we liked to go run in, through, and all around them till we became a giggling, muddy mess. Okay, maybe we all didn’t love to do it, but there are plenty of us that did.
As adults we don’t get the opportunity to do that as often, at least not without eliciting a few stares. However, there is a race of sorts that not only gives people the chance to run around and get muddy, but benefits athletes that can’t run around as easily as you or I.
It is called the Muddy Buddy competition. Essentially what it entails is teams of two going through a 6-7 mile course, one person running and the other on a bike, while navigating a series of obstacles. At the end of the race there is a massive mud pit that teams have to cross to complete the course.
A pair of individuals from LifeStorage Centers LLC in Chicago, Illinois, has pledged to run in the next Muddy Buddy completion coming up in Gilbert, Illinois, on July 31. They, Carpentsville manager Susan Powers and Liz Benson, have been training hard and are looking forward to completing the challenging run.
“I am inspired by not only the foundation, but the athletes that benefit from them,” said Susan Powers, Carpentersville LifeStorage Store Manager.
Proceeds and donations collected go to benefit CAF, the Challenged Athletes Foundation. It is a group that helps provide equipment and services to people suffering from a physical disability whether it was from a traumatic injury, birth defect, or a physically impairing disease
“Here is an organization that saw a need and a desire of a group of people,” Powers said. “The additional obstacles that they overcome and adapt to are inspiring and the outlook on life these athletes have is humbling.
Participating in the Muddy Buddy and raising funds for CAF is our way of saying thank you and to recognize them for the amazing athletes that they are!”
LifeStorage has been actively engaged in trying to raise money for the event. They have already raised close to $2000 and hope to collect $5000 before the start of the event at the end of July.
Sources Used:
“Life Storage is Helping Support the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF).” Benzinga; 02 June 2011.
“What is Muddy Buddy?” Muddy-buddy.competitor.com; June 2011.