This may look like military boot camp training, but most of these north Texans are civilians, who willingly paid money to trek through miles of mud all in the name of good fun.

“This is a great race,” said mud runner Karen Dorsey. “It’s really fun. The obstacle course is really fun. You just get down and get dirty. Who doesn’t love a little mud?”

Twice a year the Trinity Trails in Fort Worth gets a mud makeover which attracts north Texans looking to do some good by getting dirty. A portion of the proceeds are donated to The Young Marines Program and other local charities.

“It was a lot of fun last year,” said mud runner Antwon Spears. “I think it’s a good cause, and It’s pretty fun.”

This Fort Worth Mud Run is 6.2 miles of muddy boot camp style obstacles, providing a challenge for even the fittest of athletes like Carmen Tellez from Grapevine.

“This is my first time,” said mud runner Carmen Tellez. “We just got through of training for the Chicago Marathon. We’re looking forward to our second adventure mixing it up. You kind of have to keep it a little fun.”

With the sound- off of a gunshot the fun begins.Runners were put to the ultimate test crawling under trenches, swinging over mud pits, climbing up and over a wobbly net, and even getting completely submersed in the cold, muddy water.

“There was probably 3 or 4 obstacles where your head is completely covered in water,” said mud runner Daniel Zamora.

“After three miles you can’t wait to dip in that water,” said mud runner Kyle Coots.

“With the weather it was a combination of exhaustion, cold and fun,” said mud runner Jimmy Chan.

After an hour and 52 minutes of climbing, crawling, and getting caked in mud, Tellez had a new found respect for the race.

“Normally 6 miles will take about an hour but no not today,” said Tellez. “We are not trying to break any world records. It was exhilarating and there were quite a few challenges. I think mental challenges that we had. It was scary with the height ones. I really didn’t think it was going to hit me as much as it did, but you are slippery with your hands and your feet.”

Even members of the Fort Worth Fire Department faced a challenge helping to hose off the mud.

“There is mud in places I am sure I don’t know of yet,” said Tellez.

It may take just a few more showers to get the job done.

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