Muddy Moves

On a cool Sunday morning, Michael Ashurst, age 11, was ready to race. Almost a dozen other kids joined him. Lined up on a field, they were stretching, jogging, and doing jumping jacks.

Michael is part of a group of kids nationwide who participate in Tough Mudder’s Mini Mudder. This muddy, mile-long obstacle course is just for kids aged 5 through 12. Participants have to climb, jump, and crawl their way through eight obstacles four times each.

It was a cool Sunday morning. Michael Ashurst, age 11, was ready to race. Almost a dozen other kids joined him. They were lined up on a field. They were stretching, jogging, and doing jumping jacks.

Michael is part of a group of kids nationwide. They participate in Tough Mudder’s Mini Mudder. This is a muddy obstacle course that is one mile long. It is just for kids aged 5 through 12. Participants have to climb, jump, and crawl. They complete eight obstacles four times each. 

This year, 25 races will take place across the United States, including in Colorado, New Jersey, and Texas. Michael competed in the New Jersey race in 2018. He crawled through a long, slinky tunnel, shimmied under a gigantic net, and dunked his hands in a sticky, green substance. Between each obstacle, he ran as fast as he could.

The race was fun, but some obstacles were challenging. The monkey swing gave Michael the most trouble. Unlike regular monkey bars, it was one long metal pole. He had to use his arms to move across it.

This year, 25 races will take place across the United States. Some races will take place in Colorado, New Jersey, and Texas. Michael competed in the New Jersey race in 2018. He crawled through a long, slinky tunnel. Then he shimmied under a gigantic net. Then he dunked his hands in a sticky, green substance. Between the obstacles, he ran as fast as he could.

The race was fun. But some obstacles were challenging. The monkey swing gave Michael the most trouble. It was different from regular monkey bars. It was one long metal pole. He had to use his arms to move across it.

When Michael made it to the final obstacle, he was tired and sweaty. Yet he kept going, pulling himself up a slippery, slanted wall using a knotted rope. Then he sprinted across the finish line, winning the race. But Michael decided he wasn’t done yet. He returned to the wall to help others get up it.

Michael was proud of what he accomplished. But there’s one thing he’d change. “I wish there was even more mud on the obstacle course!” he says.

When Michael made it to the final obstacle, he was tired and sweaty. Yet he kept going. He pulled himself up a slippery, slanted wall. He did this using a knotted rope. Then he sprinted across the finish line. He won the race! But Michael decided he wasn’t done yet. He returned to the wall. He wanted to help others get up it.

Michael was proud of what he accomplished. But there’s one thing he’d change. “I wish there was even more mud on the obstacle course!” he says.