Renegade Rip

Issue date: 10/24/07 Section: Features

Competitors run through the obstacle log walk in the Volkslauf race on Oct. 13 just outside of Bakersfield

Media Credit: Erik Aguilar Drew Malhook grunts on top of the wall at the 2007 Volkslauf.

Media Credit: Erik Aguilar Sekhon Navjot races in the male individual category of the Volkslauf mud run.

Media Credit: Erik Aguilar Giovani Perezchica wins the 2007 Volkslauf competition

It was OK to be dirty at the 11th annual Volkslauf Mud Run on Industrial Farm Road next to Lerdo County Jail on Oct. 13.
The event, sponsored by Marine League 714 in Bakersfield, has runners participating in a military-style obstacle course, complete with mud pits everywhere and drill sergeants yelling at participants. All of the proceeds go to benefit Toys For Tots, an organization that provides Christmas toys for low-income children.
The race results were divided into five categories, which were the 10-kilometer (6.2 miles) female overall race, the 10k male overall race, 10k relay teams, 5k (3.1 miles) age groups and 5k overall. While there are a total of 29 obstacles, the 5k race is a direct route through the bulk of the obstacles, while the 10k course is extended by a back section with few obstacles.
Whether participants were running the 5k or 10k race, all of the required obstacles needed to be cleared in order to complete the race. Obstacles at the Volkslauf included a large wall with "USMC" painted on it that runners had to jump over, a rope dangling over a mud pit that had to be rappelled, a mud tunnel that went under a hill and a deep mud trench that leads to the finish line.
Former Bakersfield College runner Giovani Perezchica of McFarland won the overall men's 10k race with a time of 41 minutes and 24 seconds. Fernando Mendoza of Bakersfield finished in second place just three seconds behind him.
"I've done it a few times before, and it's really challenging," said runner Daniel Moon. "The hardest part is probably going through the really long mud trench and getting up early enough on a Saturday." Moon finished the male 10K individual race in 1:10:39.
According to Nicole Rivera, the most difficult obstacle on the course was "the rope obstacle because other people were on the rope and there was already some pressure." Rivera finished the 10k individual race in 1:14:25 and said she would run the Volkslauf again.
The drill sergeants were noticeable on many of the obstacles, dressed in campaign hats and commanding runners to pick up the pace. "I foresee water in your future," said one drill sergeant to a Volkslauf participant while he was attempting to rappel over a mud pit.
According to Dan Hall, a member of Marine League 714 and a nine-year veteran of the Marine Corps, the Volkslauf is great for keeping physically fit. "This is the greatest thing for health, stamina [and] bodybuilding."
Volkslauf was started in 1997 by a group of Marines who wanted to create a course that was "challenging, motivating and fun for all age groups," according to the Volkslauf Web site. It took place on a property south of Arvin for the first two years, but was then moved to the property on Industrial Farm Road when the owner of the Arvin property lost the lease on the land.
The Volkslauf Web site recommends several strategies for running the Volkslauf. It recommends participants wear running shoes that breathe, not to wear cotton clothing as it will retain water, and to train before the race by running up and down the river.

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