Village may add a little mud to good, clean fun for kids

By DAN BENSON

Ozaukee Press staff

Fredonia village officials are exploring the possibility of holding a “mud run” for kids in the village, maybe as early as this summer.

The village Parks and Recreation Committee last week heard from City of West Bend officials who for the past several years have held the Dirty Ninja Mud Run for Kids in July at Regner Park.

“We’re always looking for ways to increase community engagement and to raise money for the community,” committee Chairman Dan Gehrke said. “We’re considering (a mud run) at this point and collecting information. But if everything falls into place, it could possibly happen this summer.”

A mud run is an obstacle course with several hazards, including ponds, streams of water and mud pits that runners must navigate.

Gehrke said village officials are looking at one for children 4 to 12 years old. The likely location for the mud run would be between Ozaukee County’s Waubedonia Park and the village’s Marie Kraus Park.

Gehrke said the run would probably be held in July on a weekend when there are no other large village events.

“It definitely would be a balancing act to find a free weekend,” he said.

The West Bend Dirty Ninja Mud Run for Kids draws close to 3,000 people each year, Gehrke said.

The course is a third of a mile long for 4 to 6 year olds, 1 mile long for 7 and 8 year olds and 1.5 miles for 9 through 15 year olds.

The course includes mud pits, climbing and crawling elements and a water slide.

After crossing the finish line, participants are rinsed off with a shower from a fire truck.

“You will get dirty, wet and sweaty,” the event website promises.

For more information on the Fredonia event, contact Gehrke at (262) 339-6969.