Holiday Valley Mudslide Obstacle Run
Holiday Valley Mudslide Obstacle Run
A rip, roarin’ slippery slidin’ obstacle jumpin’ trail runnin’ event!
ELLICOTTVILLE - Holiday Valley Resort will host the ninth annual Mudslide Obstacle Race on Saturday, September 19th. This off-road run takes place on the Holiday Valley ski trails where up to 500 runners must navigate eleven obstacles along the very muddy 3.5-mile or 5.4-mile courses. The number one goal of the event is to have fun, and people of all ages and varying fitness levels are encouraged to join in. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Jim Kelly’s Hunter's Hope Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to giving hope through education and awareness, research, and family care for Krabbe, Leukodystrophies, and Newborn Screening.
This year’s Mudslide event schedule will be slightly different from years past, to comply with COVID-19 restrictions. Packet pickup and the start of the race will occur over a period of time to prevent congregating. Racers will not have to wear masks while running, but masks will be required before and after the race. Hand sanitizing stations will be available at each obstacle. Upon completion of the race, competitors can pick up their medals, goody bags and snacks and then will be encouraged to exit the finish area.
The first racers will start at 10:00am at Spruce Lake at the top of Holiday Valley’s mountain. A ride to the start on the Spruce Lake chairlift is included in the entry fee. The 3.5-mile course travels across the cross country trails on the top of the mountain, then down the ski slopes to finish in front of the Mountain Sports Center. The short course elevation has a downhill drop of 600 feet. Eleven obstacles will be placed along the trail including a maze, a balance beam over a giant mud puddle, “lily pads” in Spruce Lake and the final challenge is a giant mudslide down lower Yodeler. The 5.4-mile course adds a loop that includes a challenging uphill and a few more obstacles.
Medals will be awarded to all finishers. Prizes will be awarded to the overall three fastest males and females in both the short and long courses. The City Garage of Ellicottville will supply a pair of women’s and men’s Salomon trail running shoes for the top male and female runners in the long course. In addition to the City Garage, several businesses have signed on as sponsors including Intense Milk, Adventure Bound onthefly, John Harvard’s Brew House, Villaggio, EVL Half Marathon and Ellicottville Oasis Spa.
Online registration can be completed at www.holidayvalley.com/mudslide for $55 until September 7th, and $65 until September 18th. Race day registration is not available.
Special lodging packages including Mudslide entry fees are available at the Inn at Holiday Valley and the Tamarack Club. For further information, head to the website listed above or call 716-699-2345.