Marine Mud Challenge set for June 14

Fifteen-year-old Brittany Meek is looking forward to the events of June 14.

"I love mud," said Brittany, who plans to be part of Marine Mud Challenge 2008 at Fort Gordon on that day. "It's fun running and playing in the mud."

Brittany's father, Gunnery Sgt. James Meek, is coordinating the event, which consists of a 4.5-mile course with 17 obstacles, hills, water and lots of mud.

"This is our inaugural year," said Gunnery Sgt. Meek, who got the idea after taking part in one in Columbia earlier this year. "It was their 15th year," he said.

The Marine Mud Challenge 2008 is a team event. Teams of four will complete the course together. There are five divisions -- male, female, coed, Junior ROTC and para-military. Awards will be given to the first- through third-place finishers in each category.

All team members must finish the course, which reinforces a Marine tradition.

The course will be at a field at the intersection of Third Avenue and Third Avenue bypass.

There is also a children's category for ages 5-12 with a mini-obstacle course.

Registration is $80 before Sunday; then it's $100. All participants receive a T-shirt.

Registration forms are available online at www.fortgordon.com or at the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, Room 337 in Darling Hall on Chamberlin Avenue.

Call Gunnery Sgt. Meek at (706) 399-1888 or e-mail marinemudchallenge@yahoo.com.