The Muddy Monster cross country run is more than just your ordinary road race! It is a journey that allows the common athlete to achieve personal goals, enjoy what nature has to offer, take a step back in history, and participate in Halloween fun.
Muddy Monster offers a 15K run (9.3 miles), 5K run/walk (3.1 miles), Monster Mile (17 & under), and a Lil’ Monster fun run. The loop course, which takes place almost entirely on grass and trails, starts and finishes in scenic Seminole Valley Park and runs through Ushers Ferry Historic Village. Check out the site for complete details including the race time line.
Participants are also encouraged to have some fun and race in their favorite Halloween costume! Every participant in costume will be eligible for costume awards.
Where: Seminole Valley Park, 1400 Seminole Valley Rd NE, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52405
Website: http://muddymonster.com/
Results: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008
This was my first race so I went for the 5k. This race easily passed my expectations and was great fun for my whole family even though I was the only one that raced. The course was nice, mostly wide, and flat, volunteers were all along it encouraging you along. The post race food was fantastic as was the kids activities.
I look forward to doing the 15k next year.
This was our first time running this race and we will definitely do it again! My husband and I did the 15K and our daughters did the 5K and we all had a great time. There were plenty of activities for the kids, they even have a 1 mile and Lil’ Monster Dash race for the youngest runners, so a great family activity! Post race was a good time, my husband loves to end a race with a beer or two! I was excited about the massage.
Race was chip timed and well organized. Lots of friendly volunteers along the course with a few scary ones, too
Cost – This doesn’t really matter to me too much. It was tiered depending on if you were running the 5K or 15K and how early you registered. I registered fairly late, so it was $20 with a shirt for the 5K. The race packet was pretty standard, a couple snacks and whatnot.
Race Route – The route is completely on grass or trails and is relatively flat. There were no significant hills to go through. There were some potholes in the gravel in certain parts that you had to run around, but the course was really wide open, so they were easily avoidable. There were also a few spots where you had to avoid some small water puddles. It hasn’t rained for a while, but I am certain if it had rained recently, the course would have lived up to its name “Muddy” a little more. Mile markers were very clear and there were volunteers telling your time at the mile markers. I should point out that according to my GPS watch, I ran 3.2 miles. It’s not really a big deal to me, but worth noting that this may not be the ideal race to go for a personal best time. Overall, a very scenic and nice route.
Organization – Very well done overall. I am glad I showed up a little earlier than I have to other races. The parking was quite far away from the starting line and where you get your packets, so it took probably a good 30 minutes to walk over and get my packet, then walk back to my car, and finally walk back to the starting line. I think they could have added another volunteer or two to have more people helping out with the packets. Everyone was really nice and there were a lot of volunteers. They had people help out with the parking, there was no confusion as this was the first time I have participated in this race.
Chip Timing – There was overall chip timing. You could also get an individual slip print out, which I personally like having. The results were posted as times came in and the final results were on the website later the same day.
Post Race Festivities – Well done. The food was the best I have seen in the few races I have done. Let’s see if I can remember all of it: apples, pears, bananas, bagels, grapes, carrots, cheese and crackers, cookies, granola bars, gummy bears, and… my favorite part – hot dogs! The drinks were standard, except they also had a cooler of beer!
The door prizes were set up very well. They had a poster with all the prizes and the bib number of the people who won them and would cross them off as people picked them up. The awards were top 3 in all of the various divisions. They had a haystack and the 1st place person in the division would stand on the haystack and the 2nd and 3rd place people would stand on either side. I thought this was quite neat. The only part was that it took a LONG time to do that for every division. The awards were the same for everyone who received one. It was a hard plastic green Muddy Monster cup that said “Muddy Monster Cross Country Run Award Winner” on it. I thought it was unique and interesting. I do kind of think they should have given the overall winners something in addition to that, maybe a medal or trophy or something to differentiate their accomplishment from the division awards, but that’s just my own personal opinion. There was also a massage station for those who wanted a post-race massage.
Overall – Highly Recommended! A very unique race. People aren’t quite as serious and quite a lot of fun. Can’t wait for next year!
This was one of my first 5K’s so I wasn’t sure what to expect. The cost wasn’t too bad and the course was great in the different types of terrain. I loved the atmosphere and the pre and post race activities were excellent and worth sticking around for.
I went with the 5K this year and I loved it. The 15K was to much for me the first year having to do the same loop. Great food and activities at the end and great location to continue to cheer on the 15K racers. This is always a good t-shirt/performance shirt race.
This was my 2nd year running the 15K. The 15K is three laps and the 5K one lap. It definitely takes some mental toughness running the same route three times! My favorite part is the team of monsters along the course. They break up the run and keep you entertain. Post race has tons of food, drink and great awards.
Great race. I took my entire family and all of my children had positive things to say about this race. Love the shirts. Thanks for having it chip timed. Loved the race packet, so many freebies!
The route featured Usher’s Ferry Historical Village, some cross country on open grass and, of course, a mud filled trail. I loved it all. There’s something about running off-road that makes the challenge harder and more rewarding. I also appreciated the Monsters along the course, heckling the runners. Getting chased and yelled at by a monster is pretty good motivation to run fast. The race director has done an outstanding job, especially considering the race is only in it’s third year! Very well organized and thought out. I was also very impressed with abundance of post race food and not to mention the race packet itself. If you ever have the chance to run in it, take advantage.
Scenic course, pretty well organized. Fun to see and wear the costumes!