Each year in the early spring, when the weather is between freezing cold and burning up and when the ground is perfectly muddy, Barksdale Air Force Base throws open its doors to the local community as it hosts the Defenders of Liberty Mud Run. This unique adventure race is in its seventh season and is happening on April 6 and is open to the general public. Athletes, fitness enthusiasts or those just looking for a fun experience are invited to run alongside Barksdale military members through the rugged wooded terrain of Barksdale’s east reservation. The four-mile course features 19 military-style obstacles and will challenge all participants from the fittest to the first-timers.

To succeed, racers must climb, crawl, lift, pull, cross a traverse line over water and navigate a huge water slide in addition to running. The landscape itself is far from flat land. It offers everything from rolling up a significant hill, areas of flat meadowland and even takes the runners through some gumbo mud in the bayou bottom bogs. The Mud Run’s show center is at the Warrior Training Center. Access from off base is really easy. Runners from the local community can go to I-20’s Haughton-Fillmore Exit 33 and follow the signs right to the event. The Mud Run’s competitive race wave begins at 10 a.m. Multiple fun adult race waves launch every 30 minutes from 10:30 a.m. through 1:30 p.m.

Additionally, there’s a one-mile Kids’ Race for runners ages 5-11. The Kids’ Run features age-appropriate obstacles and is closely supervised by adults. Participants ages 10-15 are also able to run the adult course but must run with a parent who is registered for the same race wave. Participants ages 16-17 may run the adult course with permission from a parent or guardian.

Lots of groups run together in costume or theme. Team running is encouraged to help motivate each other. Wear matching team shirts, bandanas, wrist bands or whatever inspires you to make it easier to find each other throughout the race! Teams are eligible for a discount for each runner. To get a team discount code, just log onto Eventbrite.com, search Mud Run and “contact the organizer,” or call Barksdale’s Outdoor Recreation team at (318) 456-3426.

This event is fun for the whole family. In addition to the race, there will be music, food, a children’s bouncy, a bonfire, and guests can watch the racers finish with final obstacles at show center. A significant factor contributing to the success of this program is the longstanding relationships with businesses and partners from the Shreveport-Bossier community.

If all of this is not reason enough to participate, a compelling final reason to run the Mud Run is offered for your consideration. All proceeds from the event go back to the fighting men, women and families stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base. Funds are reinvested in morale, recreation and welfare programs that increase the resilience of our airmen and improve their quality of life. Taking care of airmen and families enables the warfighter to take care of our nation’s business at hand.

– Kyle Hamaoka, Civ, USAF

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Visit www.barksdalelife.com or call 318-453-0976.