RUN Wenatchee

By Steve Maher
RunWenatchee.com

LEAVENWORTH — About time to get a little muddy.

When the Bavarian Battle takes place May 5 at the Leavenworth Ski Hill, it will mark the first time an adult obstacle run has been held in the Wenatchee Valley.

We don't expect anyone to get in this deep at Leavenworth, but you never know.

Obstacle races, also known as mud runs, have become popular around the country in recent years, fueled in part by the “fun factor” and by the involvement, initially at least, of military personnel. One of the sport’s oldest nationwide race series, the Muddy Buddy, is entering its 13th season.

The race at the Ski Hill is being put on by the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club as a fundraiser.

“Leavenworth is a destination for so many recreational opportunities and the mud/obstacle runs are gaining in popularity,” said Rebecca Darley, the club’s marketing and events manager. “We actually had one of the big corporate mud run companies visit Ski Hill two years ago and check it out as a potential host site.

“Part of our mission is to promote health and fitness so any event that incorporates exercise and the outdoors is a perfect fit for us,” Darley said. “We hope that this event will serve as a fundraiser in the coming years. It also introduces other types of outdoor enthusiasts to LWSC and what we do.”

The 5-kilometer Bavarian Battle course will follow existing trails at the Ski Hill. Racers will find more than a dozen obstacles, including a tire field, a mud “swim” under electric wires, a snow “skirmish” crawl, cargo net climbs, a foam “frenzy,” and slippery slides. Race heats will go off every 20 minutes, starting at 9 a.m.

Racers must be at least 14 years of age to enter. Each participant will be individually timed.

Mud runs have gained traction nationally in part due to their appeal to more casual athletes and families. Many of the events emphasize the social side rather than the competitive side.

The old Ski Hill lodge will be full of merry come May 5 when the first Bavarian Battle trail obstacle run takes place.

“We are offering great swag, including a complimentary beverage, t-shirt and Bavarian hat to all registered racers,” Darley said. “Icicle Brewing Co. will have a beer garden and KOHO Radio will host a stage of live music from 12 to 7 p.m. And LWSC will serve up bratwursts and pretzels.”

The Leavenworth Winter Sports Club operates the Ski Hill under a special-use permit from the U.S. Forest Service. Money raised from the Bavarian Battle will help pay for annual improvements, the maintenance of trails, and an after-school ski program.

“We’re really looking forward to the event and hearing feedback about the course, obstacles and finish-line entertainment,” Darley said.

Bavarian Battle details

When: May 5
Time: Race heats start at 9 a.m.; packet pickup and late registration at 8 a.m.
Where: Leavenworth Ski Hill, 10701 Ski Hill Drive
Cost: $77 per entry
Parking: People can pay $10 per car to park at the Ski Hill on a first-come, first-serve basis
Shuttles: Blue Sky Outfitters will provide continuous free shuttle rides to racers from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The shuttles will leave the state Department of Transportation lot next to Leavenworth Mountain Sports.
More info: www.BavarianBattle.com, www.Facebook.com/BavarianBattle