Jen
This year the Dirty Dash went all out! I've never laughed so hard in a race and I don't remember the last time I had to Netti-pot dirt from my sinuses. I don't know anywhere else you can be passed by a chain gangs and clowns as you make your way through gigantic sticky mud puddles, roll over hay bails and dodge fire hoses. I'm not sure what the final count was on racers but I couldn't believe how many people were there! It was a fantastic festival of mud and smiles.
The delicious smell of fresh grilled brats wafted over the finish line from the vendors and one step in the freezing cold showers made me re-think my decision to skip the $4 hot shower. There are ATM's if you forget cash. You can check bags at the finish line, so remember to bring a towel for after your shower, and a water bottle to rinse your mouth before you shove the post race feast in. Regardless of the temp outside, the showers are cold enough you're also going to want a sweatshirt or long sleeve T-shirt to throw on for the ride home. I'd also bring a few plastic bags to put your sopping wet (I mean SOAKED) clothes and shoes in. I brought a pair of warm-ups to throw on after I rinsed a bit in the shower and was very happy I did. There is a charity there that will happily take your thrashed shoes if you care to donate as well. In fact, there's a lot of charities there; one of my favorite things about the Dirty Dash. There are a ton of spectators there and plenty of vendors and even a playground to keep waiting families happy.
While you wait for your start time, there are lots of giveaways and contests to keep things fun, however, just looking at all the costumes was plenty entertaining! I would do your best to get your packet before race day, the line was enormous even with the volunteers moving at mach speed. With all these people, there were some back-ups at some of the obstacles, but nothing a quick mud wrestle wouldn't help. It really wasn't a bother at all, people seemed to understand it was all about fun! I will be there next year for sure!!
Deena
Better than last year! There were many more water stations and tons more mud and fun! The 5k had twice as much mud and obstacles as the 10k last year! I thought that was fantastic!
It was refreshing to act like a little kid and see other adults doing the same. It was a chance to just have fun, it didn't matter what you were wearing, or how you looked because by the end of the race everyone looks the same, covered in mud from top to bottom and the only white showing was the big grin on everyone's faces.
When my friends ask about my weekend and I tell them that I voluntarily got dirty from head to toe, ran from mud pit to mud pit, got sprayed by giant hoses, jumped over hay barrels, and swam in a mud pool with hundreds of other people, I get some strange looks, but deep down I know they are just jealous.
Brittany
The dirty dash never disappoints! I love the energy that permeates the dirty dash. Most races have an energy of stress, excitement, and nervousness as racers prepare to battle it out. At a regular race, you look around and see athletes setting up equipment, heads buried in ipods, snacking on Gu, and the smell of stress coming from the long lines of port o potties. As I roll up to the dirty dash, I'm handed free ski passes just because I carpooled, and I think I have arrived at a really fun costume party. I see groups of people laughing as they check out the guy in the American flag Speedo donning a matching tie, or the "Shrek" themed team with a bald headed guy painted all green and his matching "Fiona." Suddenly I don't think my knee high black stripped sock and funny looking t-shirt are quite as cool. At this race you feel out of place if you aren't wearing a tu-tu or something a little outrageous. There were so many creative costumes, I saw a group dressed up as Nacho Libre, and a group of girls dressed as Wonder Woman. No one looked stressed out, everyone was ready to get down and dirty and have a great time doing it. This is the type of race you don't "train" for, you "plan".
Because this was my second year participating in the race, I noticed a few changes that really added to the race. Last year, the majority of mud didn't take place until about mile 2 or 3. This year I didn't go ten feet before my white shirt became brown! The first two miles were filled with new mud trenches and goopy pools. I laughed so hard I was glad that if I wet my pants no one would know. I loved mud wrestling with my friends and I quickly was covered from head to toe in glorious mud. Another fun addition were the jello shots (the Utah Valley version). As I squeezed a small cup of blue jello into my mouth, dirt included, I decided then and there that ALL races should forever include jello shots!
As my fun team of gals, the "Dirty Furies" ended the race flying down the giant slip and slide, and jumping into the last pool of mud, I was thankful for the past two hours when we didn't have to be grown-ups but a bunch of kids playing in the mud. We were already planning our costumes for the next year in anticipation of all the fun we would have at our next dirty dash!
Sherri
What an absolute blast! DD is not a race, but a pure mud fest for the young at heart, brave and slightly crazy soul who just loves to get down and dirty. Last year it was a trail run with a few mud obstacles, this year it was amped up to the nth degree, there was no way the tighty whiteys were coming home white. From the slippery mud hill to start, through streams with slicked down banks to mud holes at every obstacle. People were wallowing this year whether they meant to or not. Two showers and half a bottle of conditioner later I am finally starting to feel clean. Wait I haven't gotten a clean ear swab yet, maybe tomorrow?! I firmly believe to enjoy the event to the fullest you have to run with a team as fun or more fun than yourself and let go of all your pride. This is not the race for the pretty makeup queens...who cares anyway when you can't see the pink in your outfit anymore? The dirtier the better and the more fun it is. That was by far my fastest 5k if you take the total time and divide by 5 crazy runners. I wouldn't trade all 82 minutes of it for anything! It just get better with time, just like a fine Jell-o shot. Thanks DD for a great play date in the mud with spectacular friends. I can't wait for next year!
Brin
The combination of the gorgeous fall colors, perfectly sunny day, miles of muddy obstacles, mud fights, crazy costumes, laughter and beautiful mountain views convinced me that I want to do this every year. The most difficult part about it was trying to keep my mouth closed while I laughed hysterically so I didn't eat mud. The overall mood was upbeat and silly which is just my style. I honestly loved it and I'm going to tell all my friends to join in the fun with me next time, too.
