Mud runs are becoming more and more popular all over the country. There are all sorts of events that are spreading like wildfire: The Spartan Run; Tough Mudder; Color Blast runs and many others.

Marquette will get a taste of the dirt, not literally we hope, today with the Marquette Mountain Mud Run.

An exciting and challenging course has been set up at Marquette Mountain just off of M-553 south of Marquette and participants brave enough to face the challenge of the course will have the time of their lives.

Obstacles, hills, running, and of course, mud are all over the course.

Everyone knows that Marquette is a premiere winter playground, that it offers skiing and snowmobiling and snowshoeing. It’s also a great spring, summer and fall destination for hiking, biking, water play, running and so on.

But these ultra-tough-guy events are getting just as popular as mountain bike races because, apparently, people like challenging themselves in extreme ways.

In the Tough Mudder, participants subject themselves to electric shocks, ice-cold water – literally water with ice cubes in it – climbing and plenty of running to go around. Spartan races do the same: These events present military-level obstacles for the everyday joe to attempt.

Those who finish the races – most are not timed – do so with a new sense of self accomplishment, achievement and a new group of wild friends.

The race begins at 11 this morning. Hope to see you there!