Mt. Penn Mudfest - 15K Trail Race

Report by Anita

On Saturday March 22, several Wanderers took on yet another Ron Horn Pretzel City challenge with the running of the Mt. Penn Mudfest.   Joining the group were Dennis, Doug, Jim, Scott, Erik, Matt, Polly, Tammy Leigh, Maureen, Susan, Beth, Bob and Anita.   

It was a wild weather day with puffy cotton ball sized snowflakes for the start of the race then sun then clouds and wind.  This year, Ron Horn skipped the usual starter’s pistol or drop of a hand to start a race.  Instead, a stuffed pig was launched into the air and when it landed, the racers took off for 15 kilometers of steep hills, rocks, fallen trees, startled running deer and other hazards.  

This year’s route was marked by sometimes knee-deep icy water crossing and sloppy muddy embankments.  Tammy Leigh noted that she “came back muddier than usual after trying to scramble up that embankment.”  Luckily just as we felt our coldest and muddiest, some helpful volunteers reminded us that we paid for this fun.  (Trail map: mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/pa/reading/570217226)

Not only did runners make it back muddy, scraped and bruised to the finish, but the Wanderers looked good coming in at all levels of the field. We were rewarded with a fabulous quintessential Pretzel City Sports post party with refreshments, suitable swine themed trophies, chocolates grand prizes and a band that just couldn’t quit.  Imagine your octogenarian grandmother playing an 80’s Casio keyboard and your grandfather singing Neil Diamond off-key.  Bob won 2 pounds of Godiva chocolates.  Doug ended the day as supreme Wanderer for sharing his beer.

It was an awesome muddy day!

Event Photos

Back Row: Dennis, Doug, Chris, Jim, Scott McCracken, Anita Zalewski, Eric
Front Row: Matt, Polly, Tammy Leigh, Maureen Mignogna,
The Great One, Wandering Pagoda Beth Auman, Bob Reynolds.

Polly, Tammy Leigh and The Great One (Erik and Chris in the background)

The Wandering Pagoda (a.k.a Beth Auman), The Great One, Maureen Mignogna

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