Time to get down and dirty in mud

MUDDER OF ALL MUDDERS: Cullinane students had a devil of a time during a test run of the rebranded Rangitikei Farmstay annual bog race course.PHOTO/SUPPLIED

ADVENTURE seekers will be eagerly awaiting the launch of "The Mudder" at Rangitikei Farmstay on September 19.

This event, previously known as the "Mud Muster", will largely follow the same proven course as 2013 and 2014 but with some improvements.

"As with all successful events, the key is to keep tweaking it so the entrants have something new and exciting. That way they will go away and tell all their friends about it as well," event manager Andrew Stewart said.

The course is based on Andrew and Kylie Stewart's sheep and beef farm 12km from Marton. It is largely based around natural obstacles rather than man-made ones.

"The obstacle that most have found toughest in previous years is a bog crawl based on a natural spring. The mud turns to gloop after the first people have been through it, making it a great natural challenge," Stewart said.

Other course highlights include a dam with a floating island in the middle of it, a 100-year-old macrocarpa tree with roots straight out of a Hobbit film and plenty of swamps, dams and creeks. One of the biggest drawcards of the course is the natural terrain.

"It is a real challenge for the entrants, but that is the greatest appeal," Stewart said.

The Mudder will feature a short course, a full course and a two lap full course to cater for all levels of fitness - so entrants from all walks of life can enjoy the course at their own speed.

"We don't think of it as a mud run because lots of people choose to walk it and still have just as much fun, while those that want to run and really challenge themselves can still do that."

The course from 2014 is featured on an upcoming episode of Country Calendar which screens on April 11 on TV One.

The Mudder's website www.themudder.co.nz, launched this month, will offer online entries, course and venue information and much more.

For more information on the event and to keep up to date with entries, check out the Rangitikei Farmstay Facebook page where you will find an event page for The Mudder.