Mud, Sweat & Tears at Lake Okanagan Resort
By Laura Serena
This year, hundreds of tough-as-nails fitness fiends, runners and athletes will band together to take on some of Canada’s finest terrain, steepest inclines, and muddiest conditions to compete in the most demanding and rewarding obstacle course races in Canada – Mudd, Sweat & Tears.
Founded by Canada’s own Adventure Architects, a professional sports marketing and event management company, the two-day event challenges participants’ stamina, dedication and strength with a number of race routes from 5km, 10km and the most extreme obstacle course mud run. The adrenaline-fuelled race keeps hearts of men and women in their stomachs with constantly changing obstacles – including ropes, climbing walls, slides and ice baths – all while trudging knee-deep to battle through mud pits.
“Mudd, Sweat & Tears is so much more than a race,” says John Reed, Partnerships and Business Development, Adventure Architects. “It’s an opportunity to bring Canada’s dedicated fitness community together to forge unbreakable bonds through teamwork and camaraderie. A chance to push personal limits, conquer fears, and prove to your mates, fellow competitors, and yourself that you have too much grit to quit.”
Extreme obstacle course racing is one of the latest and fiercest fitness trends to move everyone from adrenaline aficionados to routine health buffs. From ski resorts and famous landmarks to urban city centres, each course is chosen and designed with Canada’s ultimate outdoor adventure ranges in mind. Every location surprises participants with signature obstacles that reflect the unique characteristics of each destination. Across Canada, all races are packed with equal parts intensity and difficulty, but all courses are achievable.
The Okanagan theme race will be held at Lake Okanagan Resort-- only 20 minutes from the shops, restaurants and city lights of Kelowna. If you prefer to play in the great outdoors, stay right where you are. Everything you need is just a step outside.
Lake Okanagan Resort offers an array of lifestyle accommodations. Whether staying for just one night by yourself or planning a family gathering, our accommodations will fit your needs. From studio apartments to 3 bedroom suites perched at lakeside or vacation rental homes, you will find the perfect solution to your needs.
All suites include kitchen facilities, walk-out balconies and a view of the lake, golf course or forest parkland. Make yourself at home. We've made room for every taste and budget.
Only an hour from powder skiing at Big White and Silver Star, golf, wineries. Okanagan region is one of the 10 hottest destinations in the world and is referred to as the “Napa of the North.” In the past decade, the region has gone from having a few dozen wineries to over 100, many of them receiving top international awards., museums, fishing, windsurfing, skiing, swimming, boating, and just laying on the serene beach.
Competitiveness aside, this timed obstacle course event, is as much about crossing the finish line and helping your fellow competitors throughout the course, as it is about winning the race.. The inaugural Mudd, Sweat & Tears race kicks off in Kelowna, British Columbia on May 4 with five other races scheduled throughout the summer and fall.
2013 locations and dates are:
MST Kelowna – Lake Okanagan Resort, Kelowna, BC – May 4
MST Rockies – Fernie Alpine Resort, Fernie, BC – July 6 and 7
MST Vancouver Island – Mount Washington Alpine Resort, Mount Washington, BC – Aug 17
MST Ottawa Valley, Wilderness Tours Resort, Beachburg, ON – Aug 31 and Sept 1
MST Ottawa Urban, Mooney’s Bay Park, ON – Sept 28
MST Niagara Falls, Niagara Falls, ON – Oct 5
If you think you have what it takes to race alongside the toughest, bravest, and boldest endurance athletes in Canada, prove it! Team and individual registrations are available now for all locations and dates. For more information, visit www.muddsweatandtears.com. Prices range from $60 to $150 per person.
About Mudd, Sweat & Tears
Mudd, Sweat & Tears (MST) pushes athletes, runners and fitness enthusiasts to the limit with the ultimate 5k and 10k mud run obstacle course race. Competitors can prove endurance, test toughness, and have a crazy amount of fun with the MST race line-up, and then take on the epic MST monster obstacle course mud run, in addition to the 5k & 10k format in 2014. Not for the faint of heart or unprepared. Participants will get dirty, muddy, scraped up, cold, physically and mentally punished, and may end up smiling continuously. The MST series supports Breakfast Clubs of Canada as their national charity partner by donating a portion of net receipts towards the organization that raises money to ensure every child in Canada has an equal start in life. The 2013 Mudd, Sweat & Tears race series includes six events across Canada, from Vancouver Island to Niagara Falls. By 2014, the USA and Australia will host events on their home turf. For more information, schedule of events, dates, and locations, visit www.muddsweatandtears.com.