Warrior Dash: Permission to get muddy

LAKE WALES, POLK COUNTY -- 

Did your mother ever tell you not to play in the mud? Chances are, this adventure would make her shake her head in disbelief.

A new "style" of off-road running is capturing the attention of weekend warriors from all walks of life.

"It's a 5K. But not your typical 5K at all,” says Tyler Bradley with a coy smile.

On an adventure like this, you run into the mud, over walls and swim under barbed wire.

"We take people through some of the craziest terrain that the world has to offer, plus, we throw all kinds of huge obstacles in there,” Bradley warns.

Welcome to Warrior Dash.

At the first race of the year in Lake Wales, almost ten-thousand weekend warriors showed up in Polk County to race against the clock.

"If you are from anywhere in Florida, come,” invites Bradley. "We call it the active entertainment industry. It's much more than just racing. You're active."

The representative from Chicago-based Red Frog Events is in Florida to supervise a growing trend in 5K racing. In 2011, 700,000 people ran a Warrior Dash at locations across three continents. This year, event organizers like Bradley expect that number to top 1 million.

Yet, unlike traditional 5K races, the participants are encouraged to come in costume. Everything from a shirtless Easter Bunny in Lycra shorts to cavemen are welcome, along with true survivors.

"I've had open heart surgery and I have not really got back into exercising. I've been working up to go 5K and 3.1 miles!” exclaims Lynn Foss. “This is my challenge."

Foss, a warrior from Cocoa and her friends want to prove they can overcome any obstacle man made or natural.

"We love Florida because of the sand, the terrain, it will be awesome,” Bradley says, still clean while most of the Warrior Dash participants around him are now covered in filth. "It's two hundred yards of nothing but flat out mud!”

This year alone, more than a dozen races utilizing an off-road course and plenty of mud are scheduled across Florida. Many have their own theme from pretending you're a swamp creature to a fire fighter. The next Warrior Dash takes place on March 31st in Live Oak, Florida, between Tallahassee and Jacksonville in Suwannee County (see the box to the right for more information).

These challenges require slithering under human-sized spider webs, crossing elevated balance beams, swimming through mud pits and scaling 10-foot-tall vertical walls. After a final swim under the barbed wire, each Warrior receives a medal to wear close to their heart, like Lynn Foss.

"I feel energized to workout, and work up to the next level of it,” Foss says excitedly, while covered in filth. " I can't wait to do it again!"

Afterward, dirty warriors and clean spectators alike can feast on turkey legs and enjoy a free glass of brew, while listening to local bands.

As for the footwear used to run the Dash, organizers are happy to collect old sneakers. After a good cleaning, they will be send to those in need of footwear in impoverished areas around the world.

That's Florida on a Tankful with Greetings from Lake Wales.

See below for a listing of other ambitious 5K runs across the state in 2012:

Be an Auto Mechanic
Gainesville:
Feb. 25, 2012
http://www.ruggedmaniac.com/events-details/items/jacksonville-fl-2012.html
"Rugged Maniac is a 5K (3.2 mile) obstacle course race that combines the most rugged terrain and burly obstacles to allow those with a sense of adventure to define themselves, then bask in glory at a rocking after party with live music, food and plenty of beer."

Be a Spartan
Miami:
February 25, 2012
http://www.spartanrace.com/
"10 Mile Spartan Race™, the global leader in Obstacle Racing since 2005, was designed by seven insane ultra athletes and a Royal Marine. If you have tried trail races, mud runs, tough mudder runs, or a warrior dash, it's time to step up to a brutal Spartan Race obstacle course."

Be a Superhero
Miami: March 24, 2012 
http://superheroscramble.com/index.html
"The SUPERHERO SCRAMBLE is 4-6 Miles of wicked terrain with 20+ obstacles including major water crossings and our Super Slime.”

Be A Warrior
North Florida:
March 31, 2012
http://warriordash.com/register2012_north_florida.php

Be a Swamp Creature
Alachua (North of Gainesville):
April 21, 2012
http://www.swampdash.com/north-central-florida--april-21-2012.aspx
"Teams of 3 will face 4 miles of the most unique and swampy terrain you have ever experienced in Florida, 20 obstacles and lots of muddy swamps!"

Be a Crusader
Tampa
April 21 & 22 
http://mudcrusade.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=102&Itemid=0
"Trample the weak, Hurdle the dead. Our intense obstacle course 5k mud races offer you an exhilarating and rewarding adventure that you can experience individually or thru the camaraderie of teamwork."

Be a Monster
Clermont:
April 21 & 22
http://monsterchallenges.com/
"These are not your lame run-thru-the-river or up a hill kind of obstacles. We just wanted to take it up a level.... A challenge that will take balance and strength combined."

Fear the Yeti
Orlando at Disney
May 5, 2012 at 9:30 PM 
http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/rundisney/expedition-everest-challenge
Teams of 2 face 5K Trek includes obstacles and scavenger hunt clues along the path, followed by 5 Clues to solve before you reach the summit.

Be a Survivor
Palm Coast
October 13, 2012 
http://www.survivormudrun.com/locations/locations_florida.htm
"We created Survivor Mud Run to test your ability to run, climb, jump, crawl, & muscle your way through the most extreme 5k Mud Run Created! As a Survivor you will have to conquer whatever obstacles get in your way and test your all around toughness, strength, stamina, fitness, and mental determination."

Be a Firefighter
Ocala
Nov. 3, 2012 
http://www.herorush.com/events/florida-central/
Climb ladders and go through windows, slide down poles, race through the debris, climb more, get wet, carry your victim no matter the obstacles, get lost, crawl through mazes surrounded by screams and sirens — get WETTER, make some saves, do CPR, and much more.

Be Tough
Tampa
Dec. 1 & 2 
http://toughmudder.com/events/florida-2012/
"Tough Mudder events are hardcore 10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie."

Run Amuck
Miami
TBA
http://runamuckfestival.com/
"The RunAmuck Run is a unique and incredible 3-5 mile run with terrain and obstacles that can include hills, river crossings, walls and mud.

OTHER NATIONAL EVENTS:

Race the Grim Reaper
(Not in Florida)
http://www.racethereaper.org/
Death is chasing you… or somebody who looks like him.

Be a Zombie
(not in Florida) 
http://runforyourlives.com/
"There will be a bunch of flesh-starved undead on your tail."

Be a Muddy Girl
http://www.godirtygirl.com/
(Women Only)
"This female-only, 5K mud run is designed for women of all fitness levels. The 11 military-inspired obstacles are fun and unique but with just enough hell to keep your palms a bit sweaty."

Face an Obstacle Apocalypse
(Northeast USA)
http://obstacleapocalypse.com/
About 3.1 miles, more than 14 Military-Style Obstacles, Alternate Routes – You Decide.

The Death Race
(In Vermont)
http://www.youmaydie.com/
See this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=8rtMFKpOYqo#!