Gettin' dirty for a good cause

COEUR d'ALENE - Mud, mud pits, monkey bars, hay bales and water balloons.

All coming at you.

It's the Muddy Miles 2013 and it's set to come skidding into the North Idaho Fairgrounds on July 20.

But it's a whole lot more than waiting for the starting gun and then running.

A fundraiser for Dirne Community Health Center, teams will compete on a two-mile quasi-official, military-type obstacle course in glorious slog-your-heart-out mud at the fairgrounds.

Most of the course is better suited for four-wheelin' than jogging, but some people just like getting down and dirty. If you're a kid, it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get dirty and not be yelled at.

Billed as North Idaho's Muddiest Race, the event starts at 4 p.m.

It has obstacles called the Mudraker, the Tire Trap, the dreaded Picnic Surprise and the Haymaker. That translates to ducking, diving, climbing and ducking some more, as spectators are allowed to launch water balloons at you.

To look good, or at least coordinated during the mad, mud-dash, teams are encouraged to dress in costumes.

Noisy, challenging, crazy and just downright fun, proceeds benefit the healthcare provider. Teams can be any size. Prices range from $8 for kids, $11 for youth, $26 for adults, $130 for a team of five while families are $80.

For more information, visit www.MuddyMiles.org, where there is an early registration discount.