I photograph some local sporting events that are open to the public, like mountain bike races, triathlons, 5k runs for fun, etc. This past weekend I got to experience "Muckfest". A friend of mine contacted me a few months ago and explained that she was entering to raise money for the National MS Society, and asked if I wouldn’t mind photographing her and her team as they became very, very dirty.

Before the event started on Sunday, I was able to hitch a ride with one of the course designer/constructors and had a short tour of what a participant could expect to encounter. The planning, safety and organization of this event appeared to be a massive undertaking, not to mention the actual building of the course. My hat goes off to the people involved.

Suffice it to say that if you decide to play in the mud, every inch of your body will be covered with the brown ooze, from your hair, to inside your shoes, in your ears, your mouth, and often other unmentionable locations I heard people talking about. Muckfest is a grand obstacle course which takes place over approximately 5 miles, mostly in the mud. Participants crawl under obstacles through mud, swing/walk on ropes over mud pits, climb through/over pools of mud, and most eventually end up at one time on another face down in the mud. It’s not for the faint of heart, but....

What I thought was wonderful is that all kinds of people come out and give it their all. I saw athletes running and conquering the course with gusto and spunk, but I also saw people walking and taking their time. Anyone could bypass any challenge they felt was too much. So next time they come to town you have no excuse. Come out and support a great cause.

P.S. While I was out on the course MANY people asked me to take their pictures. If you recognize anyone in the gallery or you yourself participated and found your picture, just drop me an email at GavinBakerPhotography@gmail.com and I’ll make sure you get a copy.