Mud Mountain Countdown

Mud Mountain XV Fun Run video

2010-07-26T21:40:00.000-07:00

Produced by Tom Atwood
Camera/ Joe Young
Music/Dava Jonah
©2010 Tom Atwood Media
All Rights Reserved

World premiere of 2010 race video: Mighty Joe Visits Mud Mountain; fun run video to be posted Tuesday

2010-07-25T22:05:00.000-07:00

VIDEO FROM MUD MOUNTAIN XV
CAMERA/ JOE YOUNG
PRODUCER/EDITOR/ TOM ATWOOD
MUSIC/ DAVA JONAH (“BLACK GRASS” USED WITH PERMISSION)
© 2010 TOM ATWOOD MEDIA
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Freudenburg sets new meet record at Mud Mountain XV; 5K draws 600 runners for first time ever; total registrations top 700 for another record

2010-07-25T05:05:00.000-07:00

A beautiful sight (especially if you don't know how hot it was!)--600 runners at the start of Mud Mountain XV. Photo/Tom Atwood (click image to enlarge)

Zac Freudenburg holds 1st place plaque presented by Edwardsville Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Hightower. Photo/Tom Atwood

The 2005 course record set by Dustin Davis is still safe, but yesterday, 32-year-old Zac Freudenburg established a new meet record for the Mud Mountain 5K Classic, running 3.1 miles in 15:37. The record Davis set 5 years ago (15:36) was accomplished during an IHSA sectional meet, which was held on the Mud Mountain course at SIU Edwardsville. So Davis still holds the course record, but now, Freudenburg has the Mud Mountain record. And not far behind, running the 2nd fastest time ever at the event, is Eric "Jo Jo" Johannigmeier, the EHS grad who clocked in at a speedy 15:48 yesterday.

In terms of overall attendance, records were set for the 5K (600 runners - 582 in age divisions plus 18 Clydesdale runners), and a new record was set for total registrations (708). Both marks eclipse last year's race, which was held on a much cooler day during a much cooler summer.

Experience trumps youth at Mud Mountain XV: Freudenburg, age 32, and Caveny, age 40, triumph in the heat; race sets new record for attendance

2010-07-24T12:19:00.000-07:00

Candace Caveny wears the Mud Mountain "Champion" dri-fit after claiming her second Mud Mountain title today. Photo/Tom Atwood

Zac Freudenburg about to cross the fiish line at Mud Mountain XV. Freudenburg ran the course in 15:37, just 2 seconds off the record pace established by Dustin Davis in 2005. Photo/Tom Atwood

Under a blazing sun hundreds of runners competed in the Mud Mountain 5K and One Mile Fun Run today at the SIU Edwardsville cross country course. The event set several records, including the record for overall registrations. More than 700 runners signed up this year, surpassing the old record of 684 set in 2009. Most remarkable is that this record was set on one of the hottest days of the summer, in the middle of an extended heat wave. And best of all, no serious medical problems were reported during the race due to the heat.

Here's the final registration breakdown for Mud Mountain XV:

Race day registrations: 92
Pre-registrations: 616 ( a new record)
Total registrations: 708 ( a new record)

Race Day! Mud Mountain enters new territory: more than 600 pre-register, a new record; how many more will sign up at the course this morning?

2010-07-24T04:45:00.000-07:00

A total of 91 runners registered for Mud Mountain XV at the Cyclery Friday, contributing to a new, single-day record. Photo/Tom Atwood

Finally, the big day is here. Mud Mountain XV! And we start the day with some new records, including 616 runners pre-registered for the 5K and One Mile Fun Run. That is the largest number to pre=register ever at Mud Mountain, shattering last year's previous record of 553. One year more than 130 signed up at the course on race day; if that happens today, we will set a new overall registration record. Let's hope it's a safe race!

Here's the breakdown:

Entries received yesterday: 147 (a new single-day record); 91 at The Cyclery (and 6 others), 50 online (new single-day record)
2010 online entries: 267
2010 mail in (and other) entries: 349 (a new record)
Total entries to date: 616 (a new pre-registration record)

Last year --------
Entries received one year ago yesterday: 93 total , including 37 online, 56 at Cyclery, and 0 mail in
2009 online entries: 301
2009 mail-in (and other) entries: 252
2009 total pre-registrations: 553
2009 final total: 684

2008 ---------
2008 total pre-registrations: 404
2008 final total: 567

Despite heat, registrations shatter single-day record; more than 100 new entries received today; crowd at Cyclery picks up packets, t-shirts

2010-07-23T16:21:00.000-07:00

Runners take advantage of last chance to register for Mud Mountain XV at mail-in prices today at The Cyclery. Photos/Tom Atwood

The temperature today outside The Cyclery in Edwardsville was 95 degrees, but inside, in air-conditioned comfort, dozens of runners signed up to run Mud Mountain tomorrow morning, despite the heat. In fact, already today, a new record has been established for entries in a single day: 115 (and runners are still registering online until 11 p.m.) So, what does this mean? It means that a new record for total race registration could be set this year. But for that to happen, a lot of runners have to sign up tomorrow morning, on race day. We'll see!

Here's the breakdown, as of 5 p.m.:

Entries received so far today: 115 (a new single-day record); 86 at The Cyclery, 29 online
2010 online entries: 247
2010 mail in (and other) entries: 337
Total entries to date: 581 (a new pre-registration record)

1 day til race day; daily entries wilt in the heat; packet pickup today at Cyclery; set up today at the course

2010-07-23T04:36:00.000-07:00

Superintendent Dr. Ed Hightower, who is the official race starter for Mud Mountain XV, surrounded by Edwardsville runners. Photo/Tom Atwood

Today pre-registered runners can pick up their Mud Mountain t-shirts and race bibs at The Cyclery, 2470 Troy Road in Edwardsville. Also, starting at 7:30 a.m., volunteers will begin setting up the course for tomorrow's event.

The continuing hot weather seems to be taking its toll on race entries. Yesterday 36 signed up for Mud Mountain XV, compared to 57 last year on this date. Hopefully more will take advantage of the registration and packet pickup today at the Cyclery.

Here's the breakdown so far:

Entries received yesterday: 36 (11 mail in, 25 online)
2010 online entries: 218
2010 mail-in entries: 251
2010 total to date: 469

Last year ----------
Entries received one year ago yesterday: 57 total (a single day record), including 48 online (new single day record), and 9 mail in
2009 online entries: 264 (new record)
2009 mail-in (and other) entries: 196
2009 total to date: 460
2009 final total: 684

2008------
2008 online to date: 135
2008 mail-in to date: 211
2008 total to date: 346
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

KSDK-TV airs report on Mud Mountain XV, links to race website

2010-07-22T07:29:00.000-07:00

This story from reporter Kasey Joyce aired on "Today in St. Louis" on July 22, 2010.

2 days til race day; Cyclery to host early packet pickup, registration Friday; race entries for Mud Mountain XV reach 433

2010-07-22T04:20:00.000-07:00

Runners can avoid the race day crunch at Mud Mountain by taking advantage of early packet pickup tomorrow at the Cyclery, 2470 Troy Road in Edwardsville. A pre-registration booth will be set up at the Cyclery between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. where registered runners can pick up their bib number and race t-shirt. Also, runners can register at the Cyclery for the mail in price of $15 for age 18 and under, $20 for adults. Souvenir dri-fit t-shirts will also go on sale Friday at the Cyclery for $25. (Timing chips still need to be picked up at the course on Saturday by 7:30 a.m.)

Here's the update on race registrations to date:

Entries received yesterday: 48 (8 mail in, 18 hand-delivered, 22 online)
2010 online entries: 193
2010 mail-in entries: 240
2010 total to date: 433

Last year ------
Entries received one year ago yesterday: 37 (30 online, 7 mail in)
2009 online entries: 216
2009 mail-in (and other) entries: 187
2009 total to date: 403
2009 final total: 684

2008 ---------
2008 online to date: 115
2008 mail-in to date: 207
2008 total to date: 313
2008 final total: 567

Who will win Mud Mountain XV? And how many will run? A race director's bold predictions.

2010-07-21T16:13:00.000-07:00

by Tom Atwood
Race Director, Mud Mountain 5K

I'm listening to the thunder as I write this. It's storming again. This Summer of 2010 will be remembered for its big clouds (see my photo at left from last week), big storms, and big heat. What does that have to do with who will win Mud Mountain XV Saturday? Maybe nothing, but I think it has had an effect on how many will run the 15th Annual Cross Country Classic.

For weeks now the race entries have been running ahead of last year's record pace, when 684 runners signed up for Mud Mountain 2009 and the One Mile Fun Run, the highest total ever. But in the last few days, the gap has been narrowing, and by race day, I predict we will have a slightly smaller turnout than in 2009. My exact prediction: 663. I think the extended period of hot weather during the past few weeks has discouraged many runners, has even kept some from training for Mud Mountain. And I am afraid that on Saturday, when runners who are "on the fence" wake up to another steamy summer morning, too many of them will crank up the air conditioner and go back to bed!

(By the way, look at the Countdown Poll in the right hand column and you'll see that more people chose 650-700 than any other option. Last year I predicted that 678 runners would sign up; the final total was 684.)

Now for the winners. This is where it gets really tricky. Last year I picked a dark horse, Jo Jo Johannigmeier, to win Mud Mountain XIV. But shortly before the race, Jo Jo suffered an injury related to orthotics he was wearing, and two runners from O'Fallon finished first and second. This summer, whenever I see Jo Jo and ask him how he's doing and if he can win the race, he looks at me like I am the devil. Or like I'm crazy. And so, I pick Jo Jo again to win this year. Although Dustin Davis, Garrett Sweatt or other runners I don't even know about could end up winning.

In the women's division I picture Candace Caveny, the O'Fallon cross country coach holding hands across the finish line with Ariane Wright, the sophomore from Edwardsville High School who beat Candace last year and grabbed the 1st place plaque. A dead heat. Or maybe Ariane will break 20 minutes (her goal) and win two in a row? And maybe I'll be wrong about the attendance and we'll set a new record this year?

3 days til race day; runners defy heat, continue to register at record pace; KSDK-TV prepares Mud Mountain report for broadcast tomorrow

2010-07-21T09:17:00.000-07:00

Kasey Joyce (left), reporter for KSDK-TV, interviews EHS cross country runner Garrett Sweatt Wednesday. Photo/Tom Atwood

KSDK-TV reporter Kasey Joyce shoots video and interviews for live reports to air Monday morning between 5 and 7 a.m. on Newschannel 5. Her reports will explore funding cuts for education, and how events like Mud Mountain are more important than ever to raise money for extra-curricular activities. Photos/Tom Atwood

Despite this week's warm weather, entries for Saturday's Mud Mountain 5K continue their record pace. So far, 388 runners have signed up. Here's the breakdown to date:

Entries received yesterday: 31 (22 mail in, 9 online)
2010 online entries: 171
2010 mail-in entries: 217
2010 total to date: 388

Last year -------
2009 online entries: 186
2009 mail-in (and other) entries: 180
2009 total to date: 366
2009 final total: 684

2008 --------
2008 online to date: 97
2008 mail-in to date: 195
2008 total to date: 292
2008 final total: 567

4 days til race day; entries to date total 357; runners urged to pick up race packet at Cyclery this Friday

2010-07-20T04:33:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder, runners can register at the Cyclery this Friday, July 23, and also pick up their race packet & race t-shirt. In addition, the special souvenir dri-fit t-shirts will go on sale Friday at the Cyclery for $25. First come, first served! The Cyclery is located at 2470 Troy Road in Edwardsville.

Here's the registration breakdown:

Entries received yesterday: 22
2010 online entries: 162
2010 mail-in entries: 195
2010 total to date: 357

Last year ------
Entries received yesterday: 19 (12 online, 7 mail in)
2009 online entries: 159
2009 mail-in entries: 151
2009 total to date: 310
2009 final total: 684

Last year -
Entries received 1 year ago - 31 (all mail in due to tech problem at Active.com)
2008 online to date: 79
2008 mail-in to date: 183
2008 total to date: 262
2008 final total: 567

5 days til race day; 335 have signed up so far for Mud Mountain XV; what will the weather be on July 24?

2010-07-19T08:12:00.000-07:00

Runners can order prints of individual race photos online after Mud Mountain XV. For more information, visit: tomatwoodphotography.net.

As of today the weather forecast for Mud Mountain XV this Saturday doesn't look too bad: a 40% chance of showers and a high of 89. Looks like temperatures at the start of the 5K will be around 80 degrees. Hopefully - no lightning, which is one thing that could delay or cancel the race. Keep your fingers crossed!

Here's the registration breakdown:

Entries received yesterday: 20 (8 online, 12 mail-in)
2010 online entries: 140
2010 mail-in entries: 195
2010 total to date: 335

Last year ---------
2009 online entries: 147
2009 mail-in entries: 144
2009 total to date: 291
2009 final total: 684

2008 ------- -
2008 online to date: 79
2008 mail-in to date: 152
2008 total to date: 231
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

6 days til race day; registrations surge past 300; cross country picnic draws large crowd and volunteers for Mud Mountain

2010-07-18T04:53:00.000-07:00

Nearly 100 attended the annual cross country season kickoff picnic at Glik Park Saturday, including many alumni of the Edwardsville cross country program. Photo/Tom Atwood

EHS cross country teammates Katie Speicher and Briana Chamberlain pose at picnic with Socrates. Photo/Tom Atwood

Future cross-country runner Dawson Wright dominates beanbag at XC picnic. Photo/Tom Atwood

Zach Bertels shows his skills at XC volleyball game Saturday. Photo/Tom Atwood

Former cross-country runners Ellen Atwood and Samantha Mormino, who attended the XC picnic, are both headed for Truman State University. Photo/Tom Atwood

Yesterday's cross country picnic at Glik Park gave runners, their parents and coaches a chance to have some fun together, along with several alumni of the cross country program. It also gave volunteers a chance to sign up to help out on race day at Mud Mountain XV. If you would like to volunteer (for packet pickup Friday at the Cyclery, set up Friday at the course, race day registration, water stations, chute, etc) just e-mail tom@tomatwood.net.

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XV?

Entries received yesterday: 28 (3 online, 25 mail-in)
2010 online entries: 132
2010 mail-in entries: 183
2010 total to date: 315

Last Year to Date ------
2009 online entries: 139
2009 mail-in entries: 144
2009 total to date: 283
2009 final total: 684

Last year -
2008 online to date: 71
2008 mail-in to date: 152
2008 total to date: 223
2008 final total: 567

One week til race day; registration rate remains torrid (283), but will hot weather hurt turnout?

2010-07-17T04:19:00.000-07:00

Lizzie Anderson poses for this week's ad campaign promoting Mud Mountain as a cool alternative for runners to the hot pavement of summer. Will it work?

Mud Mountain is not for the faint of heart. We all know that. But the weather forecast for this week--above normal temperatures in the mid-and upper nineties--may discourage some last-minute runners from signing up for Mud Mountain XV on July 24. Some runners may stop training in the heat. Hard to know for sure. But this kind of heat is one reason the decision was made several years ago to move Mud Mountain from its traditional Wednesday evening spot to Saturday morning--and why we made the start of the race even earlier last year, moving it up from 8:30 to 8:00 a.m, when it is cooler. Still, it seems possible that this week of heat prior to the race might hold down turnout. Just hope for a break by race day!

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XV?

Entries received yesterday: 24 (16 online, 8 mail-in)
2010 online entries: 129
2010 mail-in entries: 158
2010 total to date: 287

Last Year to Date ------
2009 online entries: 137
2009 mail-in entries: 119
2009 total to date: 256
2009 final total: 684

2008 --------
2008 online to date: 63
2008 mail-in to date: 152
2008 total to date: 215
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

8 days til race day; sponsor list for MM XV reaches 20; race entries total 263 to date

2010-07-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all sponsors supporting Mud Mountain XV. These sponsor logos will be included on the 2010 race t-shirt:

Hurford Architects
The Cyclery
Stratus Building Solutions
Market Basket
Anderson Hospital
Jennifer Faulkner – Coldwell Brown
Rebecca Dunn, DMD
Tom Atwood Media
Edwardsville Intelligencer
Metro Milers )
Randy Dunn – Edward Jones
Family Physicians of Madison County
TheBank of Edwardsville
Illinois Southwest Orthopedics
Brickman Orthodontics
David C. Laurent, Attorney at Law
(NW Mutual Finance - Mitch Wilson
Fitness Designs
R. Cann Electric
STLjointpain.com (Smith & Nephew Orthopedics)

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XV?

Entries received yesterday: 20 (7 online, 13 mail-in)
2010 online entries: 113
2010 mail-in entries: 150
2010 total to date: 263

Last Year to Date ------
2009 online entries: 129
2009 mail-in entries 108
2009 total to date: 237
2009 final total: 684

2008 -----
2008 online to date: 53
2008 mail-in to date: 138
2008 total to date: 191
2008 final total: 567

9 days til race day; entries to date reach 243; past champions, runners offer quotes about Mud Mountain on race website

2010-07-15T04:49:00.000-07:00

Yesterday the front page of the official website for Mud Mountain (www.mudmountain.org) began featuring personal quotes from past runners of the cross country 5K, including this quote from Cheryl Reasoner Wethers, pictured above: “I ran Mud Mountain to prove to myself that despite a brain injury from a cycling accident, I was up for the challenge of my first 5K since rehab. I didn't know if I would cross the finish line, or finish the race, but not trying wasn't an option. Besides, I love running hills and was proud to close with a strong sprint to the finish!”

To see all quotes, click here. New quotes will be added each day between now and race day.

How many runners will run Mud MountainXV? Here's the breakdown to date:

Entries received yesterday: 13 (4 online, 9 mail-in)
2010 online entries: 106
2010 mail-in entries: 137
2010 total to date: 243

Last Year to Date ------
2009 online entries: 108
2009 mail-in entries 92
2009 total to date: 200
2009 final total: 684 runners

2008 --------
2008 online to date: 47
2008 mail-in to date: 121
2008 total to date: 168
2008 final total: 567 runners

10 days til race day; so far 230 runners are signed up; picnic at Glik Park this Saturday kicks off cross country season

2010-07-14T05:33:00.000-07:00

The annual cross country kickoff picnic for all Edwardsville middle and high school runners is at 11 a.m. this Saturday, July 17 at Glik Park. Hot dogs and hamburgers will be provided. Families are asked to bring side dishes. Last name A-I: desserts; last name J-R: fruit, salad, side dishes; last name S-Z: drinks, chips & dip. Also, instead of food you may bring 22 oz bottles of Gatorade to be used during the season. For more details, visit www.mudmountain.org.

Here's the breakdown of race entries received to date for Mud Mountain XV:

Entries received yesterday: 22 (6 online, 16 mail-in)
2010 online entries: 102
2010 mail-in entries: 128
2010 total to date: 230

11 days til race day; entries exceed 200; meet the youngest runner signed up so far: Max Mueller, age 3, and his sister Mercedes, age 4

2010-07-13T04:43:00.000-07:00

Max Mueller, Age 3

Mercedes Mueller, Age 4 (Photos/Tom Atwood)

No, he's not running the 5K, but Max Mueller, who turned 3 in April, will be running the One Mile Fun Run at Mud Mountain XV. Max will be joined by his sister Mercedes, 4, in the fun run. Older sister Jill, 12, and brother Joel, 16, will run the 5K.

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XV?

Entries received yesterday: 17 (10 online, 7 mail-in)
2010 online entries: 96
2010 mail-in entries: 112
2010 total to date: 208

Last Year ------
2009 online entries: 101
2009 mail-in entries: 80
2009 total to date: 181
2009 final total: 684

2008--------
2008 online entries: 44
2008 mail-in entries:117
2008 total to date: 161
2008 final total: 567

12 days til race day; 191 runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XV; souvenir dri-fits go on sale July 23 at The Cyclery; limited number available

2010-07-12T05:21:00.000-07:00

The record registration pace for Mud Mountain XV continued over the weekend. Race entries now total 191, the highest ever for this date. Traditionally, the majority of runners sign up in the week before Mud Mountain, with as many as 160 registering at the course up on race day. Again this year, to ease the race day crunch, we are urging pre-registered runners to pick up their race packets at the Cyclery, 2470 Troy Road, in Edwardsville, on July 23 (the day before Mud Mountain). Runners can also register for the race that day for the mail-in price. As an incentive, the limited edition dri-fit t-shirts pictured above, will be offered for sale ($25) at the Cyclery on July 23, and again at the course on race day until they sell out. (The dri-fits are in addition to the regular race t-shirt all pre-registered runners will receive in their race packets.) So - sign up early. Buy a dri-fit. Be happy!

Here's the breakdown:

Entries yesterday: 15 (7 online, 8 mail)
2010 online entries: 86
2010 mail-in entries: 105
2010 total entries to date: 191

Last year---------
2009 online entries: 97
2009 mail-in entries 78
2009 total to date: 175
2009 final total: 684 entries

2008----- -----
2008 online to date: 41
2008 mail-in to date: 108
2008 total to date: 149
2008 final total: 567 entries

13 days til race day; booster club meets tomorrow to organize volunteers; race entries to date total 176

2010-07-11T05:19:00.000-07:00

Members of the Edwardsville Cross Country and Track & Field Booster Club will meet at 6:30 tomorrow night (Monday July 12) upstairs at Tiger Country (next to the EHS track). We will organize volunteers for race day, including set up, chute, parking, water stations, fruit and tear down. Something for everyone! See you tomorrow night.

Here's the breakdown:

Entries yesterday: 13
2010 online entries: 79
2010 mail-in entries: 97
2010 total entries to date: 176

2009 online entries: 88
2009 mail-in entries 72
2009 total to date: 160

2008 online to date: 36
2008 mail-in to date: 94
2008 total to date: 130

2 weeks til race day; registrations surge ahead of last year's rate; Dr. Rebecca Dunn becomes newest Mud Mountain sponsor

2010-07-10T02:28:00.000-07:00

Dr. Rebecca Dunn, a dentist in Edwardsville, has become a new sponsor of Mud Mountain. Dr. Dunn's dental office is located on St. Louis street.

Meanwhile, yesterday the largest number of single-day entries so far (24) brought the race registration total for Mud Mountain XV to 163, well ahead of last year's entries on this date (136), and far ahead of 2008 (104). How many will sign up?

Here's the breakdown:

Entries yesterday: 24
2010 online entries: 73
2010 mail-in entries: 90
2010 total entries to date: 163

2009 online entries: 77
2009 mail-in entries 59
2009 total entries to date: 136
2009 final total: 684

2008 online to date: 31
2008 mail-in to date: 73
2008 total to date: 104
2008 final total: 567

15 days til race day; Green family to travel 1000s of miles from Virginia, New Orleans, Atlanta, and Alton for running reunion at Mud Mountain XV

2010-07-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

The Green Family: (back row, left to right) Jessica Kempainen of Baton Rouge, LA, Patrick Green of New Orleans, Jenna Green of Atlanta, Adam and Allison (Green) Estrada of Arlington, VA. Front row: Chris and Jackie Green of Alton, with Yorkshire terrier Gunner, who will not be running Mud Mountain. Photo courtesy Jenna Green.

In two weeks, Jenna Green will travel from Atlanta to run Mud Mountain XV. Her brother Patrick will make the trip from New Orleans with Jessica Kempainen of Baton Rouge. Their sister Allison and her husband Adam will meet them at Mud Mountain all the way from Arlington, Virginia. For mom and dad--Jackie and Chris Green, the journey is much shorter - just a quick drive from Alton to the cross-country course at SIU Edwardsville.

All this traveling just to run in the St. Louis area's premiere cross-country 5K? Well, not exactly. Here's the story from Jenna Green:

"We're gathering in the St. Louis area the weekend of July 24th for the wedding of a family friend. Allison found the race online and suggested we sign up as a family. Our running experience ranges from novice (Jackie and Patrick's first race) to seasoned mid-distance runners (Adam and Allison completed the Cherry Blossom Festival 10 miler in April in Washington, DC, and Jessica has been running since 2006). We're all excited to run as a family and we'll meet you at Mud Mountain!"

How many runners are signed up so far? Here's the breakdown:

2010 online entries 64
2010 mail-in entries 75
2010 total to date 139

2009 online entries: 73
2009 mail-in entries 51
2009 total to date: 124
2008 total to date: 99

16 days til race day; entries total 123 to date; Metro Milers becomes newest Mud Mountain sponsor

2010-07-08T03:20:00.000-07:00

Registrations for Mud Mountain XV remain ahead of last year's record pace, but just slightly. Meanwhile, Mud Mountain is proud to announce that Metro Milers, a St. Louis area running and walking club based in Edwardsville, has become a new race sponsor. Metro Milers mission is to promote
running, walking & fitness for individuals of all ages & abilities. The club organizes and hosts races, group runs,
training programs, and other fitness activities encouraging individuals to lead healthy lifestyles.

Club members meet for runs every Saturday at 7:00am at the YMCA in Edwardsville on Esic Dr for group runs. For an application to join the club, click here.

Here's the breakdown for Mud Mountain XV to date:

2010 online entries 55
2010 mail-in entries 68
2010 total to date 123

2009 online entries: 73
2009 mail-in entries 46
2009 total to date: 119
2008 total to date: 84

17 days til race day; in addition to race t-shirts for all runners, limited edition souvenir dri-fit shirts will be available for purchase on race day

2010-07-07T05:15:00.000-07:00

Liz Speicher (top photo) and her sister Katie model the souvenir dri-fit t-shirts that will go on sale at Mud Mountain XV on July 24. The high quality shirts will be offered in various sizes for $25 on a first-come, first-served basis. A limited number of shirts will be available, so runners who get to the course early on race day to pick up their bib number, timing chip and race t-shirt will have the best chance of getting one of these Mud Mountain souvenirs.

18 days til race day; Mud Mountain entries total 109; oldest entrant so far 67 years-old, youngest age 3

2010-07-06T04:54:00.000-07:00

Mud Mountain XV entries surged over the 4th of July weekend and now total 109 runners. That is ahead of last year's record pace, and far ahead of two years ago on this day, when 68 runners had signed up for Mud Mountain XIII.

So far, among the early entrants, the youngest runner registered is 3 (he will run the One Mile Fun Run), and the oldest runner is 67 (signed up for the 5K). Who is traveling the farthest to run Mud Mountain? Right now that honor belongs to Jenna Green, who lives in Atlanta.

Here's the breakdown:

2010 online entries 51
2010 mail-in entries 58
2010 total to date 109

2009 online entries: 63
2009 mail-in entries 42
2009 total to date: 105
2008 total to date: 68

19 days til race day; individual photos of all Mud Mountain XV runners will be available online

2010-07-05T05:41:00.000-07:00

Tom Atwood Photography will offer finish line photos of all runners at Mud Mountain again this year. For samples and pricing, visit tomatwoodphotography.net and click on "Route 66 10K Photos."

20 days til race day; Happy 4th of July from Mud Mountain; entries now total 96, exceeding last year's record pace

2010-07-04T03:56:00.000-07:00

Fireworks explode over the riverfront at East St. Louis last night. Photo/Tom Atwood

As of July 4, 96 runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XV. That puts race entries ahead of last year's pace, which set a record with 684 runners on race day. Here's the breakdown:

2010 online entries 43
2010 mail-in entries 53
2010 total to date 96

2009 online entries: 57
2009 mail-in entries 38
2009 total to date: 95

3 weeks til race day; entries gather steam, approach last year's record pace; total registrations to date: 90

2010-07-03T05:06:00.001-07:00

With 21 days til the running of Mud Mountain XV, the pace of registrations is beginning to pick up. Sixteen entries were received yesterday, bringing the total to date to 90 runners, very close to last year's total on this date, the year a record was set for total entries (684). How many will run Mud Mountain 2010? Vote in the poll to the right.

Here's the breakdown to date:

2010 online entries 42
2010 mail-in entries 48
2010 total to date 90

2009 online entries: 55
2009 mail-in entries 38
2009 total to date: 93

22 days til race day; Mud Mountain XV t-shirts arrive, including souvenir dri-fits

2010-07-02T03:31:00.000-07:00

Liz and Katie Speicher model the Official 2010 Mud Mountain t-shirts that all pre-registered runners will receive at Mud Mountain XV. Sign up now: register online or download a race entry form. Photo/Tom Atwood

Dr. Ed Hightower, District 7 Schools Superintendent, models the first dri-fit t-shirt to be offered at Mud Mountain. The special souvenir shirts will be available for sale at the SIUE course on race day for $25. Photo/Tom Atwood

23 days til race day; exclusive souvenir dri-fit t-shirt for Mud Mountain XV to be unveiled tomorrow; early race entries rise to 68

2010-07-01T04:49:00.000-07:00

The first round of 2010 Mud Mountain t-shirts have arrived at Mud Mountain HQ and will be unveiled on Mud Mountain Countdown tomorrow. Also, for the first time we will offer a high-quality, dri-fit Mud Mountain t-shirt as a souvenir available for purchase at the course on race day. That souvenir t-shirt will also be unveiled here tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Here are the Mud Mountain XV totals to date:

2010 online entries 36
2010 mail-in entries 32
2010 total to date 68

2009 online entries 53
2009 mail-in entries 31
2009 total to date 84

24 days til race day; Edwardsville Intelligencer newest Mud Mountain sponsor, paper will run ads promoting 5K

2010-06-30T06:39:00.000-07:00

The Edwardsville Intelligencer is the newest Gold Level Sponsor of Mud Mountain XV. The newspaper will print several large ads (including the one above) over the next 3 weeks.

25 days til race day; runners can confirm their entry online, including t-shirt size, age division

2010-06-29T06:58:00.000-07:00

Starting today, all race entries received for Mud Mountain XV will be posted online so runners can verify their information (the right t-shirt size, age category, etc). The Official Race Entry List will be updated daily between now and race day, July 24.

To see race entries, click here.

26 days til race day; race entries total 60 to date; Mud Mountain Committee meets tonight

2010-06-28T11:00:00.000-07:00

The Mud Mountain Committee meets tonight at 6 p.m. at Imo's in Edwardsville. The race is less than 4 weeks away and we need to make sure that someone is in charge of each main area on race day.

Agenda Items:

Race Day "Captains" (registration, parking, chute, setup, etc)
Sponsor followups
Update on entries
T-shirt design
Posters/Flyers/Yard signs
Publicity/Advertising
Video/Photos

Here's the registration info for Mud Mountain XV as of today:

2010 online entries: 33
2010 mail-in entries 27
2010 total to date: 60
2009 total to date: 74
2008 total to date: 38

27 days 'til race day; Dr. Ed Hightower named Official Race Starter for Mud Mountain XV; race entries total 53

2010-06-27T04:04:00.000-07:00

SCENES FROM MUD MOUNTAIN XIV. Produced by Tom Atwood. Video/Joe Young

Edwardsville Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Hightower has agreed to fire the pistol and start the race at Mud Mountain XV on July 24. Meanwhile, race entries are slowly growing. Here are the totals to date:

2010 online entries: 28
2010 mail-in entries 25
2010 total to date: 53
2009 total to date: 74
2008 total to date: 38

28 days til race day; early entries total 46, lagging behind last year's record pace

2010-06-26T03:40:00.000-07:00

Entries to date are ahead of two years ago, but far behind registrations at this time last year. Maybe we need to get new billboards?

2010 online entries: 23
2010 mail-in entries 23
2010 total to date: 46
2009 total to date: 74
2008 total to date: 38

29 days til race day; early entries total 43; Countdown asks for prediction of total number on July 24

2010-06-25T04:08:00.000-07:00

Today Mud Mountain Countdown begins its annual poll to see who can predict how many runners will register for Mud Mountain XV. (The poll is located on the right column of this page. Vote early and often!) Predicting can be tricky, since race day totals are affected by weather, summer schedules, and how well the Mud Mountain Committee does marketing the race. So, take a look at the early numbers (below), compare to last year, and see if you can guess how many will sign up? The official Mud Mountain Countdown prediction? Based on complex scientific algorithms - 717.

2010 total to date: 43
2010 online registrations: 20
2010 mail-in registrations: 23

2009 total to date: 56
2009 online registrations: 35
2009 mail-in registrations: 21

One month til race day; 2010 t-shirt design unveiled; dri-fit t-shirts will also be offered at Md Mountain XV

2010-06-24T05:27:00.000-07:00

This is the official Mud Mountain XV t-shirt design. It was created by EHS cross country coach George Patrylak and will be printed by Gillans Graphics. In addition to the regular t-shirt that all registered runners will receive on race day, they can also upgrade to a high quality dri-fit version on race day until supplies run out.

31 Days til race day; Mud Mountain billboards going up

2010-06-23T04:56:00.000-07:00

32 days til race day; Edwardsville FD to provide paramedics at Mud Mountain XV

2010-06-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

34 days til race day; first Mud Mountain publicity posters unveiled

2010-06-20T18:30:00.001-07:00

Jamie Brown, a physical therapist and past runner of Mud Mountain, poses for a 2010 Mud Mountain publicity poster. The posters will be distributed at area running stores. Photo/Tom Atwood

Five weeks til race day; How many will run Mud Mountain XV? Early race entries total 37

2010-06-19T15:05:00.000-07:00

Last year, the Mud Mountain 5K set a record for race entries with 684 runners registered for the 5K and One Mile Fun Run. Will that record be broken at Md Mountain XV on July 24, 2010? Hard to say right now, but the early entries are running behind last year's pace. So far, 37 runners have signed up, compared with 56 on this date last year. Here's the breakdown:

2010 online registrations: 17
2010 mail-in registrations: 20
2009 online registrations: 35
2009 mail-in registrations: 21
2010 total to date: 37
2009 final total on race day: 684 (614 5K, 70 Fun Run)

38 days til race day; publicity photo shoot this evening at the course

2010-06-16T09:44:00.000-07:00

Lynley Aleksandrian poses for Mud Mountain publicity poster last year. New photos will be taken this week for the 2010 campaign. Photo/Tom Atwood

39 days to race day; Mud Mountain Countdown 2010 begins today; watch this site for inside news about Mud Mountain XV

2010-06-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Mud Mountain Countdown for 2009. With just 39 days until Mud Mountain XV, this site will be updated daily with photos, news and information about the St. Louis area's premiere cross-country race, including the number of runners registered, course conditions, local sponsors, messages from the race director and Mud Mountain Committee. Check in every day!

One mile fun run video posted; Mud Mountain Countdown's work is done; see you at MM XV in 2010

2009-07-27T01:59:00.000-07:00

MUD MOUNTAIN XIV FUN RUN VIDEO
Produced by Tom Atwood
Camera/Joe Young
© 2009 Tom Atwood
All Rights Reserved

This is the final post for Mud Mountain Countdown 2009. Thanks for visiting this site, and thanks for your interest in Mud Mountain. We invite you to visit www.mudmountain.org (official website of the Edwardsville Cross Country and Track & Field Booster Club), and also www.xcphoto.blogspot.com (for daily photos during the cross country and track & field seasons).

Mud Mountain XIV was an unqualified success. Please join us in July 2010 for Mud Mountain XV.

Video for 2009 5K uploaded; One Mile Fun Run video to be posted soon

2009-07-26T11:04:00.000-07:00

Mud Mountain XIV 5K Race
Produced by Tom Atwood
Camera/Joe Young
Music/Dava Jonah
© 2009 Tom Atwood
All Rights Reserved

Wright, Dunbar win Mud Mountain XIV; entries total 684, a new record; weather breaks for perfect race

2009-07-26T09:46:00.000-07:00

Ariane Wright, 14, champion of the Mud Mountain XIV women's division.

Dan Dunbar, 20, of O'Fallon, is the 2009 men's division champion.

The most crowded field in the history of the Mud Mountain 5K Classic gathered among storm clouds Saturday morning, but by the time Dustin Davis fired the starter's pistol, it was sunny and (relatively) cool for Mud Mountain XIV. [Officially, 77 degrees, relative humidity 70% at 8:10 a.m. when the 5K began.]

The biggest news in this year's race? Fourteen-year-old Ariane Wright of Edwardsville High School. Ariane won the women's overall championship by running the 3.1 mile course in 20:08.1, missing the exclusive "sub-20 minute club" that only a very few female runners belong to. Ariane becomes the youngest winner ever in the women's division.

In the men's division, Daniel Dunbar, 20, of O'Fallon took the title in 16:30.1 For complete results, visit www.mudmountain.org.

Brief showers and some thunder in the early morning may have held down race-day registrations this year. A total of 131 runners signed up at the course yesterday, compared to 163 last year. Still, the overall number of entrants shattered last year's record. Here are the final numbers:

2009 online entries: 301 (new record)
2009 mail-in (and other) entries: 252
2009 Race Day entries: 131
2009 total: 684 (614 5K, 70 Fun Run)

Last year -
2008 Race Day entries: 163
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

Race Day! 553 pre-register for Mud Mountain XIV, shattering last year's record; weather forecast suggests possible wet race

2009-07-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

In record numbers, runners have signed up to run today's 14th Annual Mud Mountain 5K Classic. A total of 553 registrations have been received, most of them online. Meanwhile, a slight chance of showers could delay the start of the race, if there is lightning and thunder. If it is just raining, the race will go on as scheduled at 8:00 a.m. Lightning could delay the start. If there is lightning at race time, runners will be urged to wait in their cars, until the lightning stops. The race will begin 30 minutes after the last sign of lightning.

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV?

Entries received yesterday: 93 total (a single day record), including 37 online, 56 at Cyclery, and 0 mail in
2009 online entries: 301 (new record)
2009 mail-in (and other) entries: 252
2009 total to date: 553 (pre-registrations record)

Last year -
2008 total pre-registrations: 404
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

1 day til race day; online entries drive record pre-registration; signup totals 460 so far; Mud Mountain website gets 1,000 hits yesterday

2009-07-23T22:13:00.000-07:00

With one day til Mud Mountain XIV, entry totals so far point to a huge turnout for the race. The difference this year is online signups through Active.com. It appears that, for the first time in Mud Mountain history, online pre-registrations will exceed mail-in entries, and by a wide margin. If the weather on race day is good, it is likely runners will gather for what could be the largest Mud Mountain 5K ever.

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain so far?

Entries received yesterday: 57 total (a single day record), including 48 online (a new single day record), and 9 mail in
2009 online entries: 264 (new record)
2009 mail-in (and other) entries: 196
2009 total to date: 460 (pre-registrations record)

Last year -
2008 online to date: 135
2008 mail-in to date: 211
2008 total to date: 346
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

2 days til race day; pre-registrations reach 400 for 2nd time ever; Mud Mountain XIV t-shirts arrive to rave reviews

2009-07-22T19:56:00.000-07:00

Last year, for the first time ever, pre-registrations for Mud Mountain topped 400. But it happened the day before the race. This year that mark was topped on Wednesday, and with 2 days to go, it seems possible that 500 runners may sign up before race day. If that happens, the record of 567 total runners seems certain to fall, and a total approaching 700 is not an impossibility.

In the meantime, the 2009 Mud Mountain T-shirts arrived, hot off the presses, in time for a photo shoot (above) with members of the Edwardsville High School cross country team. The shirts, printed by Gillans Graphics, were designed by EHS head cross country coach George Patrylak, and booster club member Petra Wright. Congratulations to both on a great shirt.

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain so far?

Entries received yesterday: 37 (30 online, 7 mail in)
2009 online entries: 216
2009 mail-in (and other) entries: 187
2009 total to date: 403

Last year -
2008 online to date: 115
2008 mail-in to date: 207
2008 total to date: 313
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

3 days til race day; single day entries yesterday (56) shatter record; 366 runners signed up to date; final t-shirt design unveiled

2009-07-21T21:34:00.000-07:00

Gillans Graphics is printing 700 chocolate brown Mud Mountain t-shirts today, with the logo (above) on the front of the t-shirt, and the sponsor logos on the back, with the phrase, "Meet Me at Mud Mountain."

Meanwhile, Tuesday set a one-day record in terms of race entries overall (56), and online entries for one day (27).

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV?

Entries received yesterday: 56 (27 online, 16 mail in, 13 others)
2009 online entries: 186
2009 mail-in (and other) entries: 180
2009 total to date: 366

Last year -
2008 online to date: 97
2008 mail-in to date: 195
2008 total to date: 292
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

4 days til race day; entries creep to 310; will last year's attendance record be broken?

2009-07-21T03:39:00.000-07:00

Last year a record number of 567 runners signed up for Mud Mountain XIII. In the 5K there were 485 runners; in the fun run, 82. Will more register this year, and set a new record? At this point, that is difficult to predict. Entries are running ahead of last year's pace, but have slowed in the last few days. The real wild card is what happens on race day. Last year, 163 runners signed up at the course on Saturday morning (also a record). If that many or more enter on race day this year, it's likely a new overall mark will be set.

Why does it matter? Mainly because Mud Mountain is a fundraising event for the Edwardsville Cross Country and Track & Field Booster Club, which supports running programs at Liberty and Lincoln middle schools, and at Edwardsville High School. The more people at Mud Mountain, the more money raised for those programs. So, if you are reading this, and have not signed up to run, click here.

How many runners have signed up so far for Mud Mountain XIV?

Entries received yesterday: 19 (12 online, 7 mail in)
2009 online entries: 159
2009 mail-in entries: 151
2009 total to date: 310

Last year -
Entries received 1 year ago - 31 (all mail in due to tech problem at Active.com)
2008 online to date: 79
2008 mail-in to date: 183
2008 total to date: 262
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

5 days til race day; Mud Mountain XIV draws entries from 5 states, runners ages 3 to 75

2009-07-20T04:13:00.000-07:00

This year, a 3-year-old is signed up for the one mile fun run at Mud Mountain XIV. That will make Ellie Hughes the youngest runner in the history of the event. The oldest runner entered so far in the 5K is a 75-year-old Fenton, Missouri woman. Runners from five states (Illinois, Missouri, Colorado, Oklahoma and Louisana) have signed up. One family (the Laurents) will enter nine runners. Eight runners are over the age of 60. Eleven 5K runners are under the age of 12. Good luck to all.

How many runners have signed up so far for Mud Mountain XIV?

Entries received yesterday: 8 (all online)
2009 online entries: 147
2009 mail-in entries: 144
2009 total to date: 291

Last year -
Entries received 1 year ago - 8 (all online)
2008 online to date: 79
2008 mail-in to date: 152
2008 total to date: 231
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

6 days til race day; entries approach 300; final pre-race Mud Mountain meeting for volunteers scheduled for Tuesday

2009-07-19T07:44:00.000-07:00

The final pre-race meeting of the Edwardsville Cross Country and Track & Field Booster Club, and for volunteers who will work at Mud Mountain XIV is scheduled for this Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Tiger Country (the building next to the track at Edwardsville High School). Please make every effort to attend this important meeting.

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV?

Entries received yesterday: 27 (3 online, 24 mail in)
2009 online entries: 139
2009 mail-in entries: 144
2009 total to date: 283

Last year -
2008 online to date: 71
2008 mail-in to date: 152
2008 total to date: 223
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

One week til race day; entries to date total 256; Cyclery offers pre-race registration and t-shirt pickup next Friday

2009-07-18T04:11:00.000-07:00

Pre-registered runners wanting to get a few extra minutes of sleep on race day can pick up their bib number and t-shirt for Mud Mountain XIV the day before the race at the Cyclery and Fitness Center. The Cyclery is offering pre-race pickup on Friday, July 24, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 2470 Troy Road in Edwardsville. The Cyclery will also be registering runners on Friday - the last chance to sign up at a reduced price (registration is $25 at the course on race day for runners over the age of 18; for runners 11 -18 the price is always $15, even on the day of the race.) Picking up bibs and t-shirts the day before the race will ease the crunch on race day. However, 5K runners must still pick up their timing chips at the course at least a half-hour before Mud Mountain XIV begins at 8:00 a.m. (Fun runners do not need timing chips)

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV?

Entries received yesterday: 19 (8 online, 11 mail in)
2009 online entries: 137
2009 mail-in entries: 119
2009 total to date: 256

Last year -
2008 online to date: 63
2008 mail-in to date: 152
2008 total to date: 215
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

8 days til race day; online registrations set single day record, entries total 237 to date; Ellie Twesten to sing National Anthem

2009-07-17T02:08:00.000-07:00

Mud Mountain thanks Ellie Twesten, a senior at Edwardsville High School, who has agreed to sing the National Anthem at this year's Mud Mountain 5K Classic. It looks like Ellie will perform before a large crowd. Online entries yesterday set a one day record (21), and overall, entries for Mud Mountain XIV to date are now at 237.

Here's the breakdown:
2009 online entries: 129
2009 mail-in entries 108
2009 total to date: 237

Last year -----
2008 online to date: 53
2008 mail-in to date: 138
2008 total to date: 191
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

9 days til race day; entries to date total 200; Davis "honored" to be chosen as honorary race starter for Mud Mountain XIV

2009-07-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

Dustin Davis, who holds the record for the Mud Mountain course (15:36 at an IHSA meet), will be the honorary race starter for Mud Mountain XIV. Davis joins past honorary starters Craig Virgin and Stephen Pifer. Davis, who finished 2nd last year in Mud Mountain XIII, is injured (stress fracture) and will be unable to compete in this year's race. Davis says starting Mud Mountain XIV is a "huge honor."

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV?

2009 online entries: 108
2009 mail-in entries 92
2009 total to date: 200

Last year -----
2008 online to date: 47
2008 mail-in to date: 121
2008 total to date: 168
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

10 days til race day; race entries reach 181; t-shirt design finalized for Mud Mountain XIV

2009-07-15T04:21:00.000-07:00

Tuesday night the Mud Mountain Committee selected a design for this year's race t-shirt. The logo was created by EHS cross country coach George Patrylak and booster club member Petra Wright. Seven hundred t-shirts will be printed, featuring the many Mud Mountain sponsors on the back of the t-shirt, along with the phrase, "Meet Me at Mud Mountain." All pre-registered runners are guaranteed a t-shirt; those who register on race day will also get shirts, until we reach 700.

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV?

Entries yesterday: 6 (4 online, 2 mail)
2009 online entries: 101
2009 mail-in entries 80
2009 total to date: 181

Last year -----
2008 online to date: 44
2008 mail-in to date:117
2008 total to date: 161
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

11 days til race day; 175 runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV, including the Stevens family from Owasso, Oklahoma, 400 miles away

2009-07-14T01:15:00.000-07:00

Joan, Larry, Matt and Michelle Stevens pose after running a race in the Tulsa, Oklahoma area. The entire family is entered in Mud Mountain XIV on July 25. (Photo courtesy Larry Stevens)

Entries for this year's Mud Mountain 5K Classic continue ahead of last year's record-setting pace. Most of the runners signed up so far are from Illinois and Missouri, although one runner is coming from Denver, Colorado. And an entire family from Oklahoma, the Stevens family, will be competing here on July 25.

How does a family that lives more than 400 miles from Edwardsville choose Mud Mountain? "We are traveling from Oklahoma to Indiana for vacation with family," says Joan Stevens. "And we are spending the night in the St. Louis area, so we were looking for 5Ks in the area to run as we often run them in the Tulsa area. Our daughter, Michelle, is actually going to be running cross-country and track for Missouri Southern State University this fall and we thought it would be a great opportunity for her to experience another college cross-country course.

"I simply did a Google search for 5Ks in St. Louis to find your race and it looked like it would be fun and challenging."

Good luck to the Stevens family, and to Michelle as she continues her cross-country career at MSSU.

How many runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV?

Entries yesterday: 15 (11 online, 4 mail)
2009 online entries: 97
2009 mail-in entries 78
2009 total to date: 175

Last year -----
2008 online to date: 41
2008 mail-in to date: 108
2008 total to date: 149
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

12 days til race day; entries to date total 160; Mud Mountain Committee meets Tuesday

2009-07-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

The Mud Mountain Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday July 14 at Imo's in Edwardsville. Entries for Mud Mountain XIV have reached 160. Here's the breakdown:

Entries yesterday: 8
2009 online entries: 88
2009 mail-in entries 72
2009 total to date: 160
2008 online to date: 36
2008 mail-in to date: 94
2008 total to date: 130
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

13 days til race day; race entries surpass 150 for Mud Mountain XIV; runners test volleyball skills at annual XC picnic

2009-07-12T05:36:00.000-07:00

More than 60 Edwardsville cross country runners and their families kicked off the running season at the annual cross country picnic at Glik Park Saturday. The picnic was also an opportunity for parents to volunteer to help at Mud Mountain XIV on July 25.

Entries for the race received on Saturday established a one-day record so far this year (18). More than 150 runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV. Here's the breakdown:

Entries yesterday: 18
2009 online entries: 80
2009 mail-in entries 72
2009 total to date: 152
2008 online to date: 34
2008 mail-in to date: 85
2008 total to date: 119
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

Two weeks til race day; entries total 136 to date; volunteer for Mud Mountain XIV at today's XC picnic

2009-07-11T04:02:00.000-07:00

Just a reminder - today the annual cross country picnic for all Edwardsville cross-country runners and their families will be held at Glik Park. The picnic begins at 11 a.m. with a cookout at the park, and features sand volleyball until 2 pm. This event is for middle school and high school cross country families. It traditionally kicks off the cross country season, and is also where parents can sign up to volunteer for Mud Mountain XIV, the fundraising race for Edwardsville's cross country and track & field programs, which will be held July 25.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks will be provided by the Edwardsville Cross Country and Track & Field Booster Club. Families whose last names begin with letters A-L should bring salads or side dishes; families whose last names begin with M-Z should bring chips or desserts.

Meanwhile, a dozen new names have been added to the Mud Mountain roster. To see the complete list to date, click here. Here's the breakdown:

Entries yesterday: 14
2009 online entries: 77
2009 mail-in entries 59
2009 total to date: 136
2008 online to date: 31
2008 mail-in to date: 73
2008 total to date: 104
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

15 days til race day; glitch on Active.com briefly halts online registrations; 124 currently signed up

2009-07-10T06:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Vickie Schultz, a runner who notified Mud Mountain of a problem at Active.com, the online race registration website. Apparently, registration for Mud Mountain XIV had been unavailable overnight.However, the servers are up and running again, and runners can register on Active.com, or just download an entry form from www.mudmountain.org, and mail it in. There is plenty of time until the race on July 25.

2009 online entries: 73
2009 mail-in entries 51
2009 total to date: 124
2008 total to date: 99
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

16 days til race day; entries to date total 119; race website gets 500 hits yesterday

2009-07-09T05:11:00.000-07:00

As race day approaches, interest in Mud Mountain XIV is growing. The official race website (www.mudmountain.org) received more than 500 "hits" yesterday, an unusually high number. Will that eventually translate into an unusually high number of race entries?

2009 online entries: 73
2009 mail-in entries 46
2009 total to date: 119
2008 total to date: 84
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

17 days til race day; entries total 115 for Mud Mountain XIV, including dozens of Weight Watchers

2009-07-08T06:25:00.000-07:00

So far, entries for Mud Mountain XIV are far ahead of last year at this time, and one reason could be that, for the first time, dozens of members of Weight Watchers have signed up for the race.

Weight Watchers and Active.com have chosen Mud Mountain XIV as a "challenge race" for Weight Watchers members in the Midwest. It is estimated that as many as 150 Weight Watchers will sign up for Mud Mountain this year.

Here's an excerpt from a letter sent from Shannon Iberger of Active.com:

"We are currently managing a “couch to 5k training program” for Weight Watchers called The Momentum Walk-it Challenge. The Momentum Walk-It Challenge encourages all Weight Watchers meetings members and Weight Watchers Online subscribers to get active this spring. As a measurable goal for the members we are encouraging them to sign up for their first 5k walk/run and are providing them with access to the tools they need to reach their goal.

We value our current relationship with the Mud Mountain Cross Country Classic 5k and have chosen your event as the St. Louis Market’s featured race for this program! We have 5 Team Trainers with a total of 150 members that will be participating in your 5k and your race currently has nationwide exposure on our website (www.teamweightwatchers.com – “Get Started” – “Sign up for a 5k”). The program launched on April 12, if you have seen a rise in your registrations it may be due in part to this program.

We would like to have a presence near the finish line on race day in support of all of these members who will be crossing your finish line for their very first time. We would be providing all of the branded Weight Watchers collateral for the presence including a 6-foot table/table cover, cooler with waters for the members, and an umbrella with a stand to provide some shade relief! All we would need is a designated space to set-up and reserve for the Team Trainers and members.

There is also an excellent potential for media exposure at the race given the reach of this national program and all the buzz already forming around The Momentum Walk-it Challenge. This spring 150 Active.com Team Trainers will be leading 4,500 members in training for their first 5k. After two weeks of the program website going live, we have an additional 27,000 members across the country that have decided to start teams in their neighborhood and are electing their own team trainers to lead them through the journey. And this number is rapidly growing by the day!

We are extremely excited to work with you and to bring Weight Watchers to your incredible event!"

18 days til race day; 105 runners now registered; flyers, posters distributed

2009-07-07T05:53:00.000-07:00

Posters like this one were distributed yesterday along with hundreds of Mud Mountain flyers and race entry forms. The flyers and posters were sent to various running stores in the St. Louis area, and also were distributed to local businesses, YMCA's and the SIUE Fitness Center.

To date, 105 runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV. Here's the breakdown:

2009 online entries: 63
2009 mail-in entries 42
2009 total to date: 105
2008 total to date: fewer than 68
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

19 days til race day; entry total for Mud Mountain XIV reaches 100

2009-07-06T04:48:00.000-07:00

As of today, 100 runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV. This is the earliest that number has been reached. Here's the breakdown:

2009 online entries: 59
2009 mail-in entries 41
2009 total to date: 100
2008 total to date: fewer than 68
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

20 days til race day; 95 runners now entered; cross country picnic next Saturday

2009-07-05T08:53:00.000-07:00

The annual cross country picnic for all Edwardsville cross-country runners and their families will be held this Saturday, July 11, at Glik Park. The picnic begins at 11 am with a cookout at the park, and features sand volleyball until 2 pm.

Hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks will be provided by the Edwardsville Cross Country and Track & Field Booster Club. More information about what to bring (drinks, side dishes, desserts) will come later this week.

This event is for middle school and high school cross country families. It traditionally kicks off the cross country season, and is also where parents can sign up to volunteer for Mud Mountain XIV, the fundraising race for Edwardsville's cross country and track & field programs, which will be held July 25.

3 week til race day; race entries total 93; Happy Fourth of July!

2009-07-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Awards ceremony at Mud Mountain 2008.

With 21 days til the running of Mud Mountain XIV, the pace of registrations is beginning to pick up. Eight entries were received yesterday, bringing the total to date to 93. Here's the breakdown:

2009 online entries: 55
2009 mail-in entries 38
2009 total to date: 93
2008 total to date: fewer than 65
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

22 days til race day; 85 runners have signed up so far; 2nd photo shoot adds to publicity posters

2009-07-03T05:08:00.001-07:00

Devon Dudding is among more than a dozen Edwardsville runners who posed for publicity photos this week for Mud Mountain XIV. A second photo shoot was held yesterday at the SIUE cross country-course. Race t-shirts from the past five years are featured in the posters, which will be distributed in the St. Louis area, and posted online.

23 days til race day; entries grow to 84; photo shoot produces publicity posters for ad campaign: "Meet Me At Mud Mountain"

2009-07-02T01:33:00.000-07:00

Runners from current and past Edwardsville cross-country teams took part in a photo shoot Wednesday to publicize Mud Mountain XIV. The photos, featuring athletes wearing Mud Mountain t-shirts from previous races, will be used on posters distributed in the St. Louis metropolitan area, and also as cover pages on the official website for the race, www.mudmountain.org.

Thanks to the athletes who took part. Photos will be used in the days leading up to Mud Mountain XIV.

So far, 84 runners have signed up for Mud Mountain XIV. Here are the totals:

2009 online entries: 53
2009 mail-in entries 31
2009 total to date: 84
2008 total to date: 38
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

24 days til race day; runners registering on race day need to arrive early

2009-07-01T04:35:00.000-07:00

This year's Mud Mountain 5K starts a half-hour earlier than in 2008. The reason? To beat the heat. So, to accommodate runners who have not pre-registered, race-day registration will be available at the course starting at 6:00 a.m. on July 25. However, because we are using an electronic chip timing system this year, all runners must be registered at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the race. So, race day registration will close at 7:30 a.m.

Best advice: register now by clicking on this link.

25 days til race day; registrations reach 80; ages of entrants range from 5 to 67

2009-06-30T03:53:00.000-07:00

O'Fallon High School cross country coach Alan Elfrink finishes strong at Mud Mountain 2008.

Early entry totals continue to be impressive for Mud Mountain XIV. As of today, 80 runners have entered either the 5K race or one-mile fun run. The youngest entrant (in the fun run) is 5-years old. The oldest entrant so far is 67.

2009 online entries: 49
2009 mail-in entries 31
2009 total to date: 80
2008 total to date: 38
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

26 days til race day; Mud Mountain committee meets tonight

2009-06-29T05:11:00.000-07:00

Kent Wories, former Metro-East Lutheran standout,wins Mud Mountain XIII last year.

With less than a month til race day, the Mud Mountain planning committee meets at 6:30 p.m. at Imo's this evening. On the agenda: t-shirt design, flyer/poster distribution, additional ambulance/paramedics, race day assignments (concessions, parking, set up, registration), and any other important matters.

27 days til race day; runners can now check entry status online

2009-06-28T06:18:00.001-07:00

As runners register for Mud Mountain XIV, their entry information (name, age, gender and age/weight division) is being posted on the official race website (www.mudmountain.org). After you sign up, visit the website and click on "See 2009 Entries." Make sure the information there is correct. If not, contact the race director. Race entries will be updated daily between now and race day July 25.

28 days til race day; race entries total 74 to date

2009-06-27T05:31:00.001-07:00

Mud Mountain XIV is exactly 4 weeks away. The majority of runners register the week prior to the race, with as many as a hundred or more registering at the course on race day. Here's the breakdown of race entries received so far:

2009 online entries: 46
2009 mail-in entries 28
2009 total to date: 74
2008 total to date: 38
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

29 days til race day; maintenance crews smooth course; Mud Mountain committee meets Monday

2009-06-26T03:53:00.000-07:00

For a guided tour of the entire Mud Mountain course with course record-holder Dustin Davis, watch the video above.

I had a pleasant, although steamy, lunchtime run at Mud Mountain yesterday. Pleasant because severe erosion on the course from recent rain has been repaired by maintenance crews. Where there were deep ruts on Mud Mountain, and along mile 2, there is now smooth, soft dirt. The grass is still a bit long, but it will be cut at least twice between now and race day on July 25. It's a beautiful course. You can see it all in less than 5 minutes by watching the video tour above with Dustin Davis.

p.s. the Mud Mountain Committee meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 29 at Imo's.

30 days til race day; entries total 70 runners, most register online

2009-06-25T05:39:00.000-07:00

Registrations for Mud Mountain XIV continue to grow at a steady pace, ahead of last year at this time, and far ahead of 2007's pace. Here's the breakdown to date:

2009 online registrations: 45
2009 mail-in registrations: 25
2009 total to date: 70
2008 total to date: 38
2008 final total: 567 (485 5K entries, 82 fun-run entries)

31 days till race day; never fear: porta-potties have been ordered for MM XIV

2009-06-24T06:05:00.000-07:00

Imagine all these runners, with no place to go? Fortunately, the all-important porta-potties have been ordered for this year's Mud Mountain 5K. Plenty to go around. The facilities will remain at the course this fall for use during high school and middle school cross country meets.

32 days til race day; entries for Mud Mountain XIV total 63, far ahead of last year's pace

2009-06-23T05:26:00.000-07:00

As of today, 63 runners have signed up to run Mud Mountain XIV on July 25. That compares to a total of 38 runners registered last year at this time. Of the 63 entries, 19 were mailed in, 44 were received online.

33 days til race day; early entries total 56; recent heavy rains damage course

2009-06-22T05:45:00.000-07:00

Heavy rain during May and June has created an erosion problem on portions of the Mud Mountain course. Deep gullies have formed on the third mile, known as "Mud Mountain." Maintenance crews from SIU Edwardsville and Edwardsville High School have been notified about the damage, and will be working to repair the course during the next few weeks. For now, those who are training for the race on the course are urged to be careful, especially on mile three.

34 days til race day; flyers printed, to be distributed this week

2009-06-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

More than 500 flyers with race entry forms have been printed for Mud Mountain XIV. These flyers will be distributed this week to St. Louis area running stores and businesses. Posters will also be printed. While some runners still use these flyers to register for the race, more and more either download the entry form from www.mudmountain.org, or register online at Active.com.

5 weeks til race day; new this year at Mud Mountain: chip timing

2009-06-20T08:10:00.000-07:00

This year Mud Mountain moves into the electronic age. The race will no longer be timed by hand; instead, we have hired Mattoon Multi-sport to time the race using ChampionChip timing. Runners will be given an electronic chip. This should make the results easier and faster to post after the race. According to Mattoon Multi-sport: "We offer professional timing with the most advanced timing system in the world. Chip timing from ChampionChip. State of the art technology with a chip the size of a quarter that is tied on the shoe or strapped on the ankle with a neoprene band. This chip technology registers in the system every time it crosses the specially designed ground mats. We can get results virtually as soon as [runners] cross the finish line, then upload the results on the net via phone modem."

37 days til race day; entries total 56; have YOU signed up to run?

2009-06-19T05:38:00.000-07:00

Jason Olszowka finished 2nd in last year's race in a time of 16:13. Photo/Bryan Daley.

To register online to run Mud Mountain XIV, click here.

38 days til race day; Mud Mountain joins Facebook; Edwardsville Fire Department to provide ambulance, paramedics on July 25

2009-06-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

Again this year the Edwardsville Fire Department has agreed to provide an ambulance and two paramedics at Mud Mountain. The paramedics will be there to provide assistance to any runners who are injured, or who have any heat-related problems during the race.

Also, Mud Mountain now has a site on Facebook where runners can get together, discuss the race and see photos and videos. To join the group on Facebook, click here.

39 days til race day; race entries total 54; sponsor list grows to 13 local and area businesses

2009-06-17T04:58:00.000-07:00

Stephen Pifer wins Mud Mountain 2004.

So far, 13 area businesses have signed up to sponsor Mud Mountain XIV:

Hurford Architects
R. Cann Electric
Brickman Orthodontics
Randy Dunn/Edwards Jones
Stratus Building Solutions

Running Start
Family Physicians of Madison County
Dalla Riva Medical Cosmetics
Tri City Driving School
Bauer Orthodontic Specialists, PC
Conoco Phillips Wood River Refinery
Midwest Petroleum
Mastroianni Orthodontics

Thanks to these sponsors. If your business would like information about how to be a part of Mud Mountain XIV, click here.

40 days til race day; Mud Mountain committee meets tonight

2009-06-16T06:36:00.000-07:00

The Mud Mountain planning committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. at Imo's tonight. On the agenda: t-shirt design, course conditions, medals and awards, ambulance, and followup sponsor calls. See you there!

41 days til race day; will runners "get muddy" this year?

2009-06-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

Some years, if it rains heavily, the 5K course at SIU Edwardsville can get sloppy, especially the hill on mile 3 known as "Mud Mountain." But during a particularly dry period a few years back, race organizers created large "mud pools" out of inflatable swimming pools for younger runners to enjoy after the race. That practice was discontinued in 2007, mainly because it was too much trouble, and disposing of the mud was a problem.

So this year, no one should look like the muddy runners in the photo above--unless it rains really hard.

42 days til race day; Conoco Phillips sponsors Mud Mountain again in 2009

2009-06-14T15:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Conoco Phillips for once again sponsoring the Mud Mountain 5K Cross Country Classic. More sponsors are being sought for this year's race. For more information, click here.

43 days til race day; Weight Watchers chooses Mud Mountain as "challenge race"; 150 members expected to sign up

2009-06-13T05:44:00.000-07:00

Weight Watchers and Active.com have chosen Mud Mountain XIV as a "challenge race" for Weight Watchers members in the Midwest. It is estimated that as many as 150 Weight Watchers will sign up for Mud Mountain this year. (In fact, we have already received more than 20 early entries through this program.) Here's an excerpt from a letter sent from Shannon Iberger of Active.com:

"We are currently managing a “couch to 5k training program” for Weight Watchers called The Momentum Walk-it Challenge.

The Momentum Walk-It Challenge encourages all Weight Watchers meetings members and Weight Watchers Online subscribers to get active this spring. As a measurable goal for the members we are encouraging them to sign up for their first 5k walk/run and are providing them with access to the tools they need to reach their goal.

We value our current relationship with the Mud Mountain Cross Country Classic 5k and have chosen your event as the St. Louis Market’s featured race for this program! We have 5 Team Trainers with a total of 150 members that will be participating in your 5k and your race currently has nationwide exposure on our website (www.teamweightwatchers.com – “Get Started” – “Sign up for a 5k”). The program launched on April 12, if you have seen a rise in your registrations it may be due in part to this program.

We would like to have a presence near the finish line on race day in support of all of these members who will be crossing your finish line for their very first time. We would be providing all of the branded Weight Watchers collateral for the presence including a 6-foot table/table cover, cooler with waters for the members, and an umbrella with a stand to provide some shade relief! All we would need is a designated space to set-up and reserve for the Team Trainers and members.

There is also an excellent potential for media exposure at the race given the reach of this national program and all the buzz already forming around The Momentum Walk-it Challenge. This spring 150 Active.com Team Trainers will be leading 4,500 members in training for their first 5k. After two weeks of the program website going live, we have an additional 27,000 members across the country that have decided to start teams in their neighborhood and are electing their own team trainers to lead them through the journey. And this number is rapidly growing by the day!

We are extremely excited to work with you and to bring Weight Watchers to your incredible event!"

44 days til race day; early entries total 48, far ahead of last year's pace

2009-06-12T05:10:00.000-07:00

Last year a record number of runners signed up for Mud Mountain XIII and the One Mile Fun Run--a total of 567. So far this year, 48 entries have been received (38 online through Active.com, and 10 mailed to PO Box 135). That may seem like a small number, but one month before race day last year, just 38 runners had signed up, and the year before, only 6. So, the early indications are that this year's race might, just might, set a new record. Stay tuned.

45 days til race day; Mud Mountain Countdown begins for 2009; committee meets next Tuesday

2009-06-11T12:08:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Mud Mountain Countdown for 2009. With just 45 days until Mud Mountain XIV, this site will be updated daily with photos, news and information about the St. Louis area's premiere cross-country race, including the number of runners registered, course conditions, local sponsors, messages from the race director and Mud Mountain Committee. Check in every day!

The Mud Mountain Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at Imo's. On the agenda: flyers, T-shirts, thank you letters to sponsors, medals and awards, course conditions.

Faces at the Finish Line; Countdown says goodbye until next year; see you at Mud Mountain XIV

2008-07-29T04:30:00.000-07:00

The race results: what went wrong?

2008-07-28T10:03:00.000-07:00

by Tom Atwood
Race Director

When I think about Saturday’s 13th running of the Mud Mountain 5K, I am reminded of the old, bad punch line: “Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, did you enjoy the play?”

The race itself went perfectly. A record turnout. The 5K Started on time. No injuries or heat-related problems. The fun-run was fun. There was plenty of water, free fruit, and energy bars at the finish line.

But when it came time to announce the results, the winners of the race, and the top finishers in each age category, things seemed to fall apart. What happened? It looks like several events combined to produce initial race results that were flat-out wrong.

First, several runners crossed the finish line--and were timed--who either did not register, or did not have a race bib (like #94 in photo above). The tags from those bib numbers are used to record results, and when they are out of order or some are missing, it throws off all the results.

It also appears that in the crush of almost 500 runners in the chute, some of the tags got shuffled.

Fortunately, we also use a backup method in the chute: literally writing down the number of each runner so we can cross check those numbers with the tags from the bibs. Since it soon became clear the tags were not correct, we switched to the backup, handwritten numbers to, in effect, score the race the old-fashioned way: by hand. That will be completed by this evening and the final, official results will be posted.

None of this is an excuse, just an explanation for those of you who might be curious about what happened. Again, as race director, I apologize for the delay in getting the final results, which will be posted later today on www.mudmountain.org.

Needless to say, we are already looking at ways to prevent this from happening again at next year’s Mud Mountain. And we hope to see you there!

Mud Mountain XIII sets registration record; 567 runners sign up; race director releases "Mud," issues apology for delayed results

2008-07-27T22:41:00.000-07:00

MUD (SCENES FROM MUD MOUNTAIN XIII)
PRODUCED BY TOM ATWOOD
MUSIC BY TADASHI TOGAWA
VIDEOGRAPHY BY TOM ATWOOD AND JACK TWESTEN
© 2008 EDWARDSVILLE CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD BOOSTER CLUB
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

To see high resolution version of this video, click here.

THANKS, AND AN APOLOGY

Tom Atwood

Race Director

Mud Mountain XIII is history. The overall winners - Kent Wories and Candace Caveny - outran the largest field ever at Mud Mountain. In all, 567 runners registered for the 5K and One-Mile Fun Run. The weather was warm and humid, the course a bit wet and muddy in places, but no one required medical assistance due to the heat, and no one was injured in a slip or fall. The event was a great success for the Edwardsville Cross Country and Track & Field Booster Club.

However, there was some confusion at the end of the 5K Classic. We are still trying to figure out what happened, but regardless, it took longer than usual for us to determine the top finishers in the various age divisions, and we were unable to give out medals to the female age division winners at the race. Instead, we will be mailing those. There are a couple of men’s divisions that were also in dispute (including the Clydesdale division). We will make sure the right people get the right medals.

I want to apologize for the confusion. We will learn from this, and make Mud Mountain even better in the future. Most of all, I want to thank not only those of you who ran this challenging, muddy course today, but also the dozens of volunteers who give their time and energy to make Mud Mountain, by far, the best 5K race in the St. Louis area.

Over the next few days we’ll be posting lots of photos and video highlights of this year’s race, so keep an eye on www.mudmountain.org.

See you next summer!

p.s. if you have any questions about the results, or comments, please contact me.

Race day! Mud Mountain in all its glory; race director rates course condition 'good, muddy;' registrations cross 400-mark, over 500 expected to run

2008-07-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

This Year Mud Mountain Lives Up to Its Name

by Tom Atwood
Mud Mountain Race Director

As of 7 pm, Friday, July 25, the Mud Mountain course is in good, but somewhat muddy, condition for the 2008 5K Cross Country Classic. After Thursday night’s significant rainfall, there are intermittent puddles along Mile 3 of the course, and lengthy stretches of mud on portions of Mile 3, particularly at the base of Mud Mountain. Runners are advised to run along the extreme edges of the course on those muddy sections. It is likely that course conditions will deteriorate during the race, as more and more runners attempt to negotiate Mud Mountain.

Aside from the mud, the course itself has benefitted from excellent maintenance during the past week. Severe ruts have been repaired, overhangs have been trimmed, and the grass has been cut. However, at 8:30 am in July, expect the grassy portions of the course to be wet with dew and slippery. And be forewarned: if you run, you will get muddy.

Please run with caution, and enjoy Mud Mountain in all its glory!

---

How many runners have entered the race so far?
Entries to date: 404.

Traditionally on race day about 100 additional runners show up and register to run Mud Mountain. Registration opens at 6:30 am today, and if the weather is good, as many as 150 runners may sign up (based on the high number of pre-registrations). What is the official prediction for total registrations? 534. We'll know if that guess is a good one in a few hours...

--Tom Atwood

1 day til race day; Bipod offers packet pickup today; race director has message for runners on eve of 5K; entries total 401 so far

2008-07-25T01:49:00.000-07:00

GOD'S RACE:

A MESSAGE FOR RUNNERS FROM

MUD MOUNTAIN RACE DIRECTOR TOM ATWOOD

Mud Mountain:

Running the way God intended--on grass.

Say no to asphalt.

Say yes to the Mud Mountain 5K Cross Country Classic:

God's race.

--rejected marketing campaign

for Mud Mountain XIII

I ran the course yesterday evening, careful to check its condition just a couple of days before the 2008 Mud Mountain 5K. A gentle rain was falling, misting the grass. The course was actually shimmering, even in the dim light of low rain clouds. Fallen mimosa blossoms occasionally carpeted the 2nd mile where it begins its endless incline; a Monarch butterfly circled me for a moment as I plodded along, wildflowers lining each side of the path.

A perfect evening for running, I thought, hoping this is what it might be like on race-day morning. But, the weather forecast suggests a warmer start when the running begins at 8:30 am on Saturday—temperatures in the low 80s, humid after a good chance of showers the night before. In fact, this year Mud Mountain may actually live up to its mysterious name. The steep hill on the third mile seems unlikely to dry out, and is almost certain to be truly, deeply muddy by the time 500 pairs of running shoes negotiate its climb.

I love this course. Green. Hilly. Almost tropical, in a summery, hazy, Midwestern kind of way. My kids have grown up running Mud Mountain. Riley was a half-foot shorter than me when he first ran here as a 6th-grader seven years ago. Now, on Saturday, he’ll duck to dodge delicate vines hanging down from Mud Mountain’s trees and shrubs. This is where he won his last home cross-country meet as a senior, the Tiger Finale. His younger sister, Ellen, has struggled with this course, like many runners, although she still has two years left to figure out how to run it.

But on Saturday, there is nothing to figure out, no real pressure. The Mud Mountain 5K Classic is a chance, once each year, to run the course for no reason other than to have fun. To take part in a celebration of running with other people who love to run, or at least who love to hate to run.

Do me a favor. Before you line up for the start of the race on July 26, look closely at the faces of the others gathered there. Old. Young. Very young. Look at the smiles. There is only one reason they are there—to run with others who enjoy running, or at least with others who enjoy hating to run.

On Saturday, only a few will be running to win Mud Mountain. Most of us will be running for other reasons. These days, I run mainly to keep moving. For those of you who are like me, I have this request: please be careful. The course will probably be slippery at that time of day, rain or no rain. Prepare for the heat. Each year, someone requires medical assistance due to summer’s temperatures and humidity. Drink the free water. Gobble up the free oranges, apples and bananas. But most of all, look around and take in the beauty of this moment. The beauty of doing something you love to do in a setting that is as lovely as any other 5K course in the area, a course that could have been—and, perhaps in a way, was—designed by God.

Enjoy God’s race.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How many runners have pre-registered for Mud Mountain XIII?

Entries received today: 55 (19 online, 34 Bipod registration, 2 mail in)

Total registrations to date: 401

Former EHS cross-country runner Bridgette Hoover to sing National Anthem at Mud Mountain XIII

2008-07-24T11:57:00.000-07:00

Bridgette Hoover, pictured above medaling at the Madison County Cross Country Championships last year, will sing the National Anthem at this year's Mud Mountain 5K Cross Country Classic. Hoover graduated from Edwardsville High School in June, where she also participated in choir and drama, starring as Dorothy in the EHS production of The Wiz.

Thanks in advance Bridgette!

EHS boys turn to french fries as odd training tool for Mud Mountain XIII; freshman Brendon Colligan wins french fry race; others lose lunch

2008-07-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

EHS runners down fries at Jack-in-the Box, first of several french fry stops during Wednesday's "French Fry Run," won by freshman Brendon Colligan. The event, devised by Coach George Patrylak, combines speed, endurance, and the ability to "eat & run."
Photo/George Patrylak (click image to enlarge)

Members of the EHS boys cross country team pose for photo after enduring annual french fry run.
Photo/George Patrylak (click image to enlarge)

2 days til race day; Bipod to host packet pickup Friday, runners can avoid race-day rush; Mud Mountain XIII entries total 346 and counting

2008-07-24T05:17:00.000-07:00

Bipod, the running store in Edwardsville, is hosting a packet pickup for Mud Mountain runners Friday, July 25. Runners can avoid the race-day rush by picking up their Mud Mountain XIII t-shirt and bib number between 10 AM and 7 PM at Bipod, which is located at 1063 South State Rt. 157 Suite 9. The store is 20 minutes from downtown St. Louis and sits off Highway 157, just north of Center Grove Road. Telephone: 618-655-0351. Runners can also register for the race at Bipod on Friday for $15. That price jumps to $20 on Saturday for adults who wait to register at the course. (Race day registration begins at 6:30 am.) Thanks to Bipod - for hosting this packet pickup, and for sponsoring Mud Mountain.

How many runners have pre-registered for Mud Mountain XIII?
Entries received so far today: 33 (20 mail-in, 13 online)
Total entries to date: 346