Off-road trails, waist-high creeks and huge mud pits might sound like obstacles from boot camp from hell, but for the contestants of the Amphibious Warrior Mud Run these challenges were part of the fun.
Aubie even got in on the action, crawling through the mud to show his support.
Hosted by the Marines of Auburn, the Amphibious Warrior Mud Run consisted of a 5K and 10-mile run which raised money for the Wounded Warrior Project and the Auburn University Marines.
Twenty percent of the proceeds go toward the Wounded Warrior Project, which was created to support service members severely wounded in combat.
"We wanted to show our respect and let them know they aren't forgotten," said Gunnery Sgt. John Hunter.
The Mud Run raised more than $2,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project and hosted 488 runners from a variety of states, including Auburn, Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.
The day of the run, 170 participants signed up.
With 12 students currently enlisted in the Marines, Major Jeff Dyal, Marine officer instructor, said sponsoring the Wounded Warriors Project allowed them to see and understand the price they paid for their fellow country men and women.
Hunter said they wanted to host the Mud Run, not only to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, but also to create awareness of the Marines' involvement in the community.
"We want people to talk about this," Hunter said. " We want it to be a run where kids and the family can have fun."
The Mud Run started at the Auburn intramural fields and wound through three miles of obstacles, including hills, mud and a surprise water balloon ambush sprung by the Auburn Mariners, which is a support group for the Marines of Auburn.
Hunter said they also set up a 10-mile race for the more adventurous.
"People want to have a challenge and we are going to give it to them," Hunter said.
Hunter said that preparation for the Mud Run started earlier this spring.
During planning, they met every week at 7 a.m. to work on budgeting, set up a Web site and pushed for spirit points.
"This event is good practice in leadership," Dyal said. "It's like a mission given to them in the military."
The Mud Run received help from other contributors such as the Marine Corps Recruiting Command and Auburn Firefighters.
Hunter said the MCRC was responsible for most of the promotional aspects of the race and the Auburn Firefighters provided a hose for runners to cool off in after finishing the race.
According to the Tie Dye Superstars, a team consisting of three Auburn swimmers, Alana Dillette, Jenny von Jouanne and Emile Ewing, and one alumna, Katherine Coldwell, all of the Marines hard work paid off.
"When Emilie told me about it I was really excited," Coldwell said. "I highly recommend it."
The Tie Dye Superstars said it was challenging but fun and created opportunities for team building.
The Marines of Auburn want to continue hosting the Mud Run every year.
"We are excited to bring something new to the community," Hunter said.
Hunter said he hopes in the future Auburn will endorse the Marines with other areas in which to race.
Encompassing the whole city of Auburn would provide more trails, lakes and terrain to race in, through and around.
This year was the first Mud Run, but the Marines hope to make it an annual event.
"We want people to look forward to it every year," Hunter said.
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