By Mary Owen
Slipping and sliding over trails is nothing new to Gary and Shandi Terlecki.
Neither is getting really dirty.
Five years ago, the Terleckis became interested in running and fitness.
A year later, the couple hosted their first off-road running event, and for the second year, will host the upcoming Detroit Mud Run.
“We expect to draw more than 500 participants to the tiny town of Detroit Lake for a unique and challenging mud run experience on the lake bottom,” said Gary Terlecki of Run Wild Adventures who owns a vacation home in Detroit.
“I got the idea to have a run on the lake bottom, but it wasn’t until the U.S. Forest Service contacted Run Wild in late 2011 to help organize a community event in the Willamette National Forest to help bring visitors to the area that it got started,” Gary said.
The Terleckis love being “trail-run junkies.”
Gary ran track back in his high school days, but admitted he didn’t enjoy it much. But Shandi, a serious runner for several years, convinced him to join her on her weekly training runs, usually a fairly easy run in the neighborhood. When she told him about going toward Mt. Hood for the XDog Events’ McCubbins Gulch Scramble, Gary decided to join in.
“We had so much fun that we have done this race for five years straight and counting,” Terlecki said. “We both became addicted to scrambles and trail running. They are definitely more of an adventure.”
Their adventure has stretched to the Detroit Mud Run, which they describe as an “epic” challenge course with mud, rocks, water crossings, hills, trails, stumps and “amazing scenery” in the Cascade mountain range.
Saturday, Oct. 12
Check in begins at 7:30 a.m.
Race 9 a.m.
Cost is $20 preregistered,
$25 day of the race.
6-mile run that begins at
Detroit City Hall and continues
on the Detroit Lake bottom.
Be prepared to get muddy.
Event limited to 500 participants.
Proceeds benefit the Detroit Lake
Recreation Area Business Association
which promotes, encourages and develops
economic health and tourism
in the Detroit Lake area.
EVENT LIMITED TO 500 PARTICIPANTS
www.runwildadventures.com,
click on Detroit Mud Run to register.
“You will be a filthy mess after this event and plan to wear clothing and shoes you don’t mind ruining,” the Terleckis shared on their website.
Despite the challenges, runners love the race, they said.
“Man, it’s my complete pleasure to run your races!” wrote Sean M of Team Montrail/Peterson Ridge Rumble RD on the Run Wild Adventures website. “You, Shandi, and everyone else rally put on a top-notch, low-key event.”
The roughly 6-mile course will be well marked and begins and ends in front of the Detroit City Hall.
All ages of runners and even pets on a leash are welcome to participate, Terlecki said.
The race is limited to 500 runners.
Awards for the top three overall male and female finishes will be handed out at the Oct. 12 event.
Fees are $20 if preregistered online or $30 beginning at 7 a.m. on the day of the race. The run starts at 9 a.m. and ends with a “big, after-race party with music, refreshments, prizes and awards for top-finishing participants,” according to the Terleckis.
“The race benefits the Detroit Lake Recreation Area Business Association and helps fund cleanup, park and street restoration and beautification as well as the annual Fourth of July fireworks show over the lake,” Terlecki said.
“Helping the community and offering a unique and challenging event to participants motivates us to host the Mud Run.”
Sponsors include: Gallagher Fitness Resources, Montrail Shoes, Hammer Nutrition/Heed Electrolyte, Mountain Hardwear, Great Harvest Bread, Silver Falls Coffee Co., Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Nine22 Photography, Seven Brides Brewing, Fox Blue Printing Co., EZ Orchards, Rosie’s Mountain House, Giovanni’s Mountain Pizza, Ace Septic & Excavating, Sport Fever Graphics and DLRABA.
