By Taylor Smith 

Jump, swing, fly, and tackle 18 obstacles and 3.1 miles of mud at MuckFest New Jersey in Somerset on Saturday, July 20 at 9 a.m. Presented locally by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, MuckFest New Jersey is a high-octane obstacle course from start to finish. 

MuckFest travels all over the country, and has finally made its way to New Jersey. The event is filled with music, a Master of Shenanigans, and lots of mud. Conquer the 5K (3.1 mile) course with friends and family. Kids 10 and up can participate in the full race, and the “Lil’ Muckers” area will keep kids ages 5 and older occupied. After the race, partake in post-mud fun with beer, laughs, and awards. 

MuckFest is held in partnership with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (https://www.nationalmssociety.org). Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system, which makes up the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. MS interferes with the transmission of nerve signals between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body. Most people are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, although children and older adults may develop it. More than two to three times as many women as men develop MS, and this gender difference has increased over the past 50 years. According to the National MS Society, “more than 2.3 million people have a diagnosis of MS.” 

Local sponsors of MuckFest New Jersey are Basic Home Infusion, NJ Spine and Wellness, and RUNA. Participants can donate their used athletic sneakers to Sneakers4Funds (https://sneakers4funds.com) on the day of the race. 

Over 90 percent of MuckFest runners and volunteers are on teams. For team-building tools, ideas, and general race registration, visit https://bit.ly/2RMdEHz.