Polson hosts 'successful' Mud Run at the Fairgrounds

DeVante Ramirez was probably one of the few people who participated in the 5K Polson Mud Run that found the 5K obstacle course “easy” Saturday at the Polson Fairgrounds.

“It was kind of fun and kind of easy for me,” Ramirez admitted. “I just really had a great time with friends and family and really enjoyed the weather.”

Ramirez, one of the top racers at the Mud Run, said runs like this help him and others “stay in shape.”

“Honestly, I just had fun,” Ramirez, who decided to admit he didn’t train for the event, said. “No one needs to be in shape for it. That was a great time. I just like having fun and having a great time.”

Ramirez said he struggled with some of the harder obstacle courses.

“I really like just jumping around and making my biggest splash,” Ramirez, who is a volunteer for Job Corps., said. “Hopefully, I will be able to retain my first place status.”

Tyler Lowell, who held his fourth Mud Run and his second annual one after taking a hiatus because of suffering from cancer, said he really hoped the run “promoted healthy lifestyles.”

“People were really friendly and it promoted healthy lifestyles,” Tyler said. “We were also able to raise some money for the Boys and Girls Club.”

Lowell said online registration increased exponentially this year for the event.

“The reception was really good this year and I had people asking about the race in January,” Lowell said. “There were people that registered that were from New Jersey, Arizona, Washington and a couple from Utah.”

Lowell said he even had one construction company pay his crew to help with the construction of the obstacle courses.

Kevin Stroud heard about the event because he works with Tyler at the fire station. He brought him and his four daughters Madison, Kendall, Shaydi and Huston to enjoy the event.

“I got to play paparazzi this year and I was able to get a lot of good pictures,” Kevin Stroud said. “The girls loved the run but hated the wash off part more than the actual run.”

Shaydi Stroud said she enjoyed her time at the Run.

“It was great and I loved it,” Shaydi Stroud said.

Madison agreed with Shaydi.

“It was a blast,” Madison said. “I really liked the Monkey Bars portion of the obstacle course.”

Kendall Stroud said she “just liked the mud.”

St. Ignatius resident Landar Fangsrud said the course was a “challenge.”

“Some of the courses were very physically challenging,” Fangsrud said. “I enjoyed the overall environment of the race and the obstacle courses.”

Polson resident Coby DeBruin said the most challenging portion of the course was the rope swing. DeBruin, who sprained his ankle during the race, said he learned to be mindful of the course.

“Oh yeah, I sprained my ankle good,” DeBruin said. “I learned not to jump off things that are a lot taller than you. That is just complete idiocy but I won’t file a lawsuit. That is completely on me.”

DeBruin also stated suffering the sprained ankle was “worth it” at the action-packed event.

“I would say it was well worth spraining my ankle,” DeBruin said. “Next year, I hope to break it.”

Michael Vergeront said he enjoyed the “relaxed atmosphere” of the Polson Mud Run and said he is “looking forward to doing it agin.”

“It was just chill,” Vergeront said. “Everyone was encouraging and saying ‘you can do it,’ and would laugh when you didn’t but it was all in playful fun. I just came to get dirty and didn’t really come as a means to get in shape or a landmark achievement. That is not why I am here.”