DO NOT DO THIS EVENT!!!! I cannot stress this enough. My review is for the world famous camp pendleton joke of a mud run. Once you're on base, your day starts with a 30 minute wait to get on a bus for a 10 minute ride to the start. Then after registering, checking your bag, and getting to the start line you've spent 1 1/2 hours just getting to this point. Onto the race. Extremely ordinary. Tough Mudder, Spartan, your neighborhood mud race have 100 times more challenging obstacles and a far better course. 1 "obstacle" was doing 10 push-ups,another involved you lifting a sand bag over your head 15 times. Those aren't obstacles. The course is rocky, dusty and lifeless. So now you're done with run. You can look forward to a 40 minute wait to shower. After shower, good luck getting any food or beverage without another 20 minute wait. Ok, you've decided to leave because you don't need to shower or eat, so you walk to buses. Congratulations you've got a 1 hour long wait now. After a hot, dirty, lifeless run covered in mud and hungry as hell, they reward you with a big middle finger and say screw you. Sorry, nothing about this race is worth it. They seem to be stuck in a place that says "we don't need to change, cause we're the original mud run.". Any coincidence that they didn't sell out any day this year? read more

This is my 5th year doing this fabulous run and I can't wait until next year. The variety of the obstacles, the wonderful organization and the happy, motivated participants make this my beginning summer ritual. Just keep the freaks who dress like ballerinas out of my way!....:) read more

Mud Run was a logistical fiasco! We followed the directions to the letter, left at 6:30 got to the harbor exit in Oceanside at 7:00, only to wait an HOUR AND A HALF to get through the front gate, it was all downhill from then, Waited an hour to get on the five buses they had running for 20,000 people +, waited a half hour to check the clear bag, waited another half hour to get the t-shirt, and waited another twenty minutes to start the race. Not fun at all, I know all about hurry up and wait, but this was ridiculous, now on to the race, after the three ambulances came back and forth hauling people off the course we finally started, the course itself was not challenging at all. Run for a quarter mile get lightly sprayed by a hose, run another mile, wait twenty minutes to complete a rather simple obstacle watching people struggle, on to the next obstacle/long line, got to see many people take selfies of themselves though, had plenty of go pro selfies going on.. The only good part of the race was the near the end where all the actual mud was. After the race there was another hour plus wait to rinse off in the showers, actually they had two lines, one for just water the other for soap, problem was they had no one telling anyone that . The whole event was a complete cluster***. I couldn't believe being a former Marine that this was so unorganized and unprofessional, won't ever being doing a Pendleton race again. Worst time I ever had running a race, and I have run quite a few. Very disappointing. read more

The marines do a great job hosting this event. They are all volunteering to help out so you know they are true fans of this event. Nothing quite like having a marine shouting at you while you muck through the mud to motivate you. Also you can't beat taking pics with marines and heavy military equipment! Here are some pics from the event, http://www.photographydna.com/p152971349 read more

I've been waiting 1.5 years and I finally did it this years. It was a lot of fun and a big challange to accomplish. I felt really good about myself when I was done. I really enjoyed seeing all the military men and women being part of the event. It was nice to experience a little bit of what they go through every day. I have much respect for a military and what they do. They were so organized and everything ran smoothly. A few things that can improve: 1. Water should be at mile 1. Waiting until mile 2 is too long. 2. There should have been more obstacle. Especially more with mud. There wasn't any mud until mile 3. 3. More freebies for the event would have been great. The only booth giving out stuff was the Monster booth. read more

Overall this was a good challenging race that has a lot of hills. That is the good. The bad is that it has way too many people, and I was forced to walk a few times due to not being able to pass the large mass of people. Also the first 5 miles or so has almost no mud and you are running in desert like conditions. The last 2 miles are the best part and have a couple fun obstacles and a mud hill. If they could add a few fire hoses or something during that first 5 miles, this would be a lot better race. They could also let people go in smaller heats to spread out the crowd. read more

I've done this event 2 years in a row now, both in a team of 5. Both years I've had a COMPLETE BLAST! It is definitely intimidating and challenging for the out-of-shape, but feels great when you finish -according to my friend. The event was a piece of (chocolate) cake for me, I ran it blind-folded and on crutches. I encourage all of you to do the same. This event has 4 race dates and they sell out in 3 days. Yes, it is that popular. I probably shouldn't even put a review of this up... I don't want anymore competition for next year's registration. Spongebob says: Chicks covered in mud. read more

I run a few races every year, just for fun. The CP mud run was the most fun I've ever had--by a long shot. highly recommended, you'll have an absolutely blast. read more

Mud Run 2014. All proceeds benefits the Marines. Sign up early, they sold out every year. Prepare to get muddy. You will get muddy. It's a fun event to do with a team. Marines are there all along the way to encourage you and to help you so take advantage. They are all super friendly and it's a great experience. read more

I didn't run in this year but my husband had a fantastic time!! He said the course was tons of fun and I appreciated how organized it all seemed. I had a great time watching the runners come in, but had I decided to go back to the main area there would have been plenty for me to do there! Can't wait till next year! read more

So, I decided to do this race the week before as my friends asked me to join them because they had a few open spots. I could tell it would've been more fun in a group, but since my friends ran a head of me..it was kind of boring until I got to the obstacles. That part was fun on my own. A few notes about my health...I am 41 year old female and have a strong upper body, and work out about 2 - 3 days a week doing surf specific boot camp style work outs. Also, I've danced majority of my life. So, hopefully this will give you a good comparison. If I'd been prepping for this beforehand...I would've done more cardio and stair climbing specific workouts. So here are my tips for those that like to prep before hand and need a bit of advice. Pre-race Prep: 1.Toe Nails: Make sure your toe nails are trimmed. That will help ease the toe pain going down the steep hills. 2. Socks: Wear thin, non-cotton, synthetic running socks. This aides in preventing blisters and helps remove excess moisture. 3. Hair: Make sure your hair is out of your face. 4. Designated Meeting Place: In case you and your friends get separated, make sure you have a meeting place to meet. There's a nice place under a tree next to the changing tent that is shaded. 5. Nutrition: Eat foods that will give you energy prior to the race: Banana, oatmeal, etc. 6. Water: Be sure to start drinking a lot of water before the race. Proper hydration starts before the race, but they provide Gatorade and water along the route and before the race as well. 7. Working-out: I wish I would've done this for at least 30 minutes a day and then jumped on the treadmill to run afterwards. This would've helped condition me for the steep walk up the hill. Gear: 1. Outfit: Capris and a form fitting top that dries fast. Do not wear loose clothing as it will absorb the mud and weigh you down....the mud is heavy when it dries. 2. Fanny Pack: Use a small fanny pack to carry your camera, and anything else you may need. Make sure whatever you put in there is water and dirt proof, or put it in a baggy. 3. Gu-gel: I think that's what it's called. Carry one of these for a last minute energy boost if you need it during the race. 4. Baby Wipes: Bring some of these for afterwards...you will need this. 5. Towels: Bring a beach towel to help you change and dry off. 6. Hats: Do not wear a hat. You will lose it in the mud. 7. Goggles: Very helpful in keeping mud out of your eyes. 8. Shoes: The terrain will vary from sharp rocky roads, sand, and mud. So, wear shoes that will protect your feet, knees, and joints with shock absorption. 9. Shoe Laces: Double tie them really tight. There is no need to tape them if you do this. During the Race: 1. Obstacles: If you can squat and walk do that instead of crawling. This will help your knees and hands. If you are too tall then try bear crawling instead. You actually don't have to do the obstacles if you don't want to, but it's more exciting if you do. 2. Rope Wall: Take a picture at the very top of the valley before you climb down. I wish I would've had my camera for this! 3. Very Last Obstacle: You will have to submerge your entire body (except your head) into the mud to get across the mud pit and underneath the flags. You should use your hands to pull you through the mud and let your body float across. This is faster than crawling and will be less painful for your knees. After race: 1. Outfit afterwards: It is helpful to change into a bathing suit and cover-up type outfit. No need to wear anything fancy. 2. Flip-flops: Bring these to wear afterwards also. Will I do it again next year...maybe, but not too sure. It's more fun if you're with people than a loaner like I was. GOOD LUCK! read more

Just do it... I'm not a runner, as a matter of fact..I HATE running, but when I saw a friend's post on a certain social site saying she was doing the Camp Pendleton World Famous Mud Run, I thought it it would be great motivation to work out and for a great cause to boot (no pun intended.) So I signed up a group of 5 from my boyfriend's Gym and Team Got Bells? was born. I didn't work out nearly as much as I had promised myself I would, I averaged only 1x a week since january (and yes we own a gym...so i am a lazy bum.) It was AWESOME!! I plan on doing this thing till I can't do it again...this is the first of many!! The event is run extremely well for the sheer number logistics, easy sign up, location is great, parking, etc...EASY! great communication, great volunteers, the Marines ROCK, the participants are even cool as heck-REALLY- a girl gave me the shirt off her back when I ripped the booty of my shorts while sliding down a mud hill :) I see people moaning and groaning on here but we got on base with no problem, no line to speak of, and parking was easy. They had also added shuttles, because someone from the first race this June had said there were terrible lines..you can't ask for more than that, let someone know there's a problem and they change it...that in itself is worth a five star rating to me. As we all know there can be a passive aggressive aspect to online ratings, that anonymity, maybe if the people that were so unhappy with the race would contact the event co-ordinators they would change it and make it better for everyone. :) Pre-Race...Get your stuff done FIRST, then talk, stretch, hydrate, potty whatever you need. Just go to the correct line, alphabetical last name of individual participant OR Team captain, pick up your race number/numbers pin them on (they provide the safety pins) pick up your race t-shirt, go deposit your things at the bag check (provided for free and manned by Marines) then listen up for start, if you do care about times you better be in front to start fast and get some space between you and the masses. The Starting Line... REALLY backed up, it was at 18+ minutes when I was in sight of it and probably 20 minutes by the time I crossed the Starting Line, so the idea of personal timers OR multiple heats some of the yelpers have suggested would be great. The Hills...There seem to be more ups than down and I know it's an impossibility, but tell that to my lungs...By the time you get up the first hill (long, steady up, up, up) most of the serious runners have separated themselves from the herd, me being one of the herd, so if you're looking for a good time, make your break by the time you get here. The mud and the walls...FUN FUN FUN...I made it over myself, but my teammate wanted a boost over and the Marines obliged immediately. I think some gals were asking for a boost just for the fun of it..hahaha. (the second did have stinky mud, just stagnant water smell but it's not sewage or anything nasty just muddy stink.) We still took a mud plunge for the cameras. The "River" crossing...if you're scared of water then yes it's intimidating, we were grateful for the opportunity to cool down, it felt fantastic, and I happen to be freaked out by fish in open water...hahaha...but it was wide open (more than the 15 feet someone else mentioned) between the ropes and we were able to walk/trudge through with our heads above water (I'm 5'5") and even took time to slide down the mud hill on the other side when we were through. The Tunnels...I'm claustrophobic and they weren't a problem, BUT I'm 5'5" so big guys might have a bit harder time here...I squated low and walked throughwith my arms out to balance me. The "Army crawl" shouldn't it be a Marine crawl, through the mud...easy but DiRtY!! Mug for the cameras and get ready cause that means you are almost there, the finish line is just ahead!! The Finish Line...If you are on a team...Don't FoRGeT to lock arms and cross together or you will be disqualified from times. Isn't that the fun...finishing with your best buddies :) There are water/gatorade stations at every mile marker and ambulances stationed throughout the course, plus volunteers EvERyWheRE to motivate, help, assist...whatever you need. Family and friends can come to watch, and there's a "festival" running throughout the day, with tons of FaMILy fun stuff, photo booths, paint ball, massages, shops, food, beverages, beer, alcoholic drinks and LiVe EnTerTAinMenT including bands and a K-9 show on stage. The BBQ pork was delicious and the beers and lemonade were cold. Photographers are stationed all over the course to document your MuddY GoOD TiMe!! TONS of Porta-potties, I never waited in line. Oodles of oranges, bananas and water/gatorade provided before and after race. If you're entered as a team, wear bright colors or something to distinguish yourselves so you don't get separated it also makes it more fun for photos. I highly recommend it!! read more

If you ever want to find your official pictures, wear your bib in the front... or be prepared to sift through 19886 pictures.

still a fan! i wasn't as well trained this year as last year. i was not able to run the uphill on mile #2. so i walked slowly the whole way and slowed down my team. next year, train for uphill run too! so mile, i think, #3 came along and it was all down hill. I ran like a mad woman speeding through all these people. haha. perfect time to catch up. wear a swim suit underneath if u dont wanna strip in front of people during shower time, because it is a public shower. they added a little loop in the course where you run through this houses where the marines huddle. i dont know what they were doing, but they were huddling around and watched us run. they probably do that course all the time and they looked and laughed at us struggle like fools. hehe. i am glad the marines were there to help me climb over walls. i just swung myself over and down this year. last year i held on to the wall with my dear life and got myself some serious huge bruises on my arms. people asked me, "did someone abused you or something?" hahah no just the mud pit walls. hehe. would i ever do it again? heck yeah! i would probably train more next time though for the uphill and train 6 mile instead of 3. i think the fastest time this year was 58 minutes for the whole race and 1:08 with boots. pretty good guys. can't wait till the online pictures come out! read more

I did the Camp Pendleton Mud Run a few years back and had an amazing experience. This year was very different due to overcrowding. It took us over an hour and a half to get off the freeway, get into the base, and be directed to our parking spot. We still had to move to the starting line which was another 20 minute walk. The first mile and half during the team run was stop and go before we could actually run at our own pace. The post race experience seemed crowded as well. Long lines and walking on top of people to get cleaned and get belongings. I'm not sure if it was me, but the 2011 Pendleton Mud Run was too full to have a great experience. I think a better name would be the Camp Pendleton Mud Herd. read more

I've run this the last 4 years. Something has changed, for the worse. Southbound on the 5 Freeway and about 1/4 mile from the exit we came to a stop,on the shoulder, like usual, but this year it took 50 minutes to exit the freeway. People were leaving their cars and walking to Denny's to go to the bathroom. Other lunatic drivers were, trying , to squeeze by and, almost, hitting, these pedestrians. It took 2+45 hours from the off-ramp to waiting at the starting line. Normally, this is about an hour. We missed our start time like almost everyone else. The race and beer garden were its usual fun self, but then it came time to leave. Normally the Marines run their white buses along with the rented yellow school buses to shuttle people. This year they were not using the white ones. The longest I had ever waited to catch a bus to leave was 5 minutes. This year it was over an hour. There is nothing more miserable than being caked in mud, standing in a line that snakes from hear to eternity under the broiling sun and feeling exhausted. My guess is that some private management company sold the Marines snake oil and told them how they could do it better and make more money. Unfortunately, many are not going to be back next year. This is/was a fun event that my whole family enjoyed. The Mud Run supports a worthy cause, Marine families, but it needs to, quickly, return to its roots. The soonest I will return is 2017, presuming, the Yelp reviews state that it's been "fixed." read more

I would have to agree with the other veteran runners. Although this was my first time running this race I heard it was the one to do. Too many people, no mud just brown water pits. Cross country running and bottle necking everywhere. We also arrived early like they said and waited in the line from hell. For the money and hype I will not be doing this mud run again. As I am really sad to say this it is the truth. I heard the years before it was really awesome. They are making it more for masses to get more money which is sad. Good luck if you think you will have a better experience. read more

For my first mud run I had to go with the original. The company I work for is one of the runs sponsors, so I was able to score the VIP gold package minus the parking permit. I arrived before 7am as suggested and arrived in the parking lot with no traffic. The tram was fast and efficient. The VIP section was nice, not sure if I would spend the extra $125.00 on top of the race fee though. We were able to pick up our bibs and t-shirt with in our own fenced off area. They provided a continental breakfast, 2 free cocktails, private bar with $5.00 additional cocktails, private in and out bag check, gold wristband access only trailer bathrooms and showers, along with toiletries including sunscreen, deodorant, shampoo, soap, etc. We also got free ammo cans that my husband thinks are quite useful. For lunch they served a variety of wraps, salad, fruit, home made chips, fruit, and cookies. The marines guarding the entrances were very pleasant. The area had plenty of tables chairs and patio furniture, I was very pleased that it wasn't over crowded. Now onto the run! This was the first run I did without a chip, so I tore off the bottom strip thinking it was of no use. Silly me, they collect the strips at the end to post times. They split the wave up pretty good, if you are going for time get to the start line about 35 min prior to get ahead , even those who were at the end were only a minute behind the starters. In the first half mile you get sprayed with a fire hose, at about a mile you cross a shallow creek after running over 1/2 mile of sand, first water station was at about mile 2 and then almost every mile after that. Total elevation was about 500 feet, but it seemed a bit further on the way up. I suggest doing some hill training. Most of the obstacles were in the last 2 miles, the mud was putrid and swampy. The walls were easy to get over, those that had trouble found a marine or fellow runner to help them over. The "river swim" was just a run across a muddy river bed, there was no swimming this year. Many people complained along the way that they thought this was a mud run, not a sand run, the last muddy hill in the last half mile shut most of them up. The final obstacle was crawling under the flags in the dirty water, make sure you are caught up on your shots first, you will probably get some swamp in your mouth. After the race they had a band, HP prints and gives away the pictures they take of you before and after the race. I cant wait to do it again next year! read more

June 19, 2010 was my first Mud Run. We had 4 newbies and 1 veteran captain. We got so lucky to even register in time. The first 3 June runs closed so quickly; within 2 hrs in January. We lost 1 member due to a last minute injury, but luckily found a willing co-worker. Without a a 5th member, our finish would not count. We could adopt a member at the run though. I had started jogging since June 2009 and do not consider myself a runner by any means. I did say jog. . . :) By the time of the run, I could only jog 5K straight. I knew I would be walking the steep "suicide hill." Without any upper body strength, I knew I'll be needing help for the walls. The team consensus was, "We're here to have fun and not get hurt. There's no egos and competitiveness here." After reading some of the tips and obstacle course techniques from other blogs, I was pretty mortified. Here's what actually happened. As long as you can run 1-2 miles straight and are OK with being really dirty and some smells, you're good to go. At narrow paths and obstacles courses, things get bottlenecked to a walk. There's water/gatorade and medics at every mile. Didn't dig the first mud puddle and stretch of sand afterwards. Felt like I gained 5 extra pounds. Definitely can't train for that feeling. Wished the big obstacle courses weren't concentrated in the last 2 miles and more spaced out. The marines were encouraging. One ran with me up this hill I was ready to walk. Heard some occasional friendly razzing from the marines (hustle, you're letting down your team!), fake outs (the left is shallower; no the right!). The knees as steps at the walls were super helpful. Only 3 scary spots and 1 infection: The other end of that last wall is a real dump. Literally. What is that smell?!? Is there a sewer line break? This mud is a lot darker than normal. My god my socks had rubbed off some of my skin. Infections!! Maybe, I'll wash in the lake. The blogs say the lake will be waist deep. How tall are you blogger!?! I'm 5'3" and could not touch the bottom. Oh, and I can't swim!!!! Thank god for the buoy line. I pulled myself through with some occasional helping of that algae filled water. The mud hill with a fast stream of water running down it, is an accident waiting to happen. You either pick the left or right side. I saw people going up both and went right. I got to a point though where there were no earth left for a step. I had to jump across to the left. Please don't me fall and take everyone out below me. . . . Made it OK. Whew!! About that infection. I duct taped my team member a bit too high on her left ankle. Mine was high at first, but I peeled it off using keys. She did not. So as she ran, the duct tap dug into her ankle creating a blistery abrasion. With all that exposure to weird looking liquid, it got infected. Her leg was swollen; the doc checked her for MRSA. We don't think it's MRSA because it didn't get worst (last I heard, no lab results yet). So lesson learned- careful on the duct tape. Our team made it through in 1hr 45min, not bad for our first time together. We did have a jackrabbit, amongst the turtles, but got through together. Overall, we didn't think the course was as bad as others have blogged. The whole event was so well organized. No pushing and shoving. The bbq and beer were delicious! The shower was refreshing. Please don't be one of those people who do the full on shampoo, conditioner and soap routine. With a loofa. Do I see you washing your clothes? Really!?! There are people behind you! Do you really think you'll be completely clean? Rinse and go people. For next year, more waterproof sunscreen (got so burned), thin non-cotton socks (wet cotton become sandpaper against your skin), big towels (for coverage when changing out in the open), toss the clothes and shoes (unsalvageable, not worth the effort) and don't duct tape too high on your ankles (they will dig into your skin and cause an infected cut). read more

Best 10k ever. I ran this 8 years ago with some coworkers and had a blast. I ran this again less than a year ago with Lael A. and some friends and had a second blast. I didn't expect the run to sell out so quickly this year so no third blast for me. First Run: This thing kicked my ass all over the place. My training was composed of running flat ground, stairs, regular gym stuff, alcohol and sleep. My time isn't even worth mentioning so i wont. My friends i ran with thought it was a hilarious idea to bring a backpack full of silver bullets to drink should we become dehydrated. Personal experience tells me that running a 10k on beer quickly deletes motivation and impairs judgement when climbing 6" walls in the middle of a lake and running down steep slopes. But it was fun as hell. Second Run: Awesome run. For some reason i felt like the course was harder to run the first time around....maybe the course had changed? Maybe i was in better shape? Yeah, that's it, i was in GREAT shape. We started as a pack in the beginning but i ran off after a mile or so wanting to do my personal best and see exactly how much my training had paid off. Tons of uphill running and some steep downhill trotting almost Diddy-d my big toe. Alas, all toenails were attached at the end of the race. The lake portion offered temporary relief to the beating sun as well as a bit of eye candy in the form of a hot female lifeguard - every male that hit the water was all of a sudden "drowning". And I'm sure everyone that got in the lake behind me got to swim in my urine. Suckas! Whatevs, that water wreaked of hot breath anyways. Post lake running involved more hills, obstacles to climb and mud pits to crawl through. After 6.2 miles of yogging the beer and showers at the end of the race seemed heaven sent. Sweet nectar of the gods indeed. If you can be one of the lucky thousands to sign up for this race, do it, you wont regret it for at least two weeks. read more

I truly had an awesome time competing in the World Famous Camp Pendleton Mud Run Races!!! This was my second mud run, the first was with Mud Factor and I can say that World Famous did a much better job of organizing the event!! There were kid's activities, a kid's mud run event, fair style pop up food booths, a sound stage with live/televised events from the mud run! The registration (where you get your race number and free t-shirt) and parking were quick and easy with lots of volunteers. During the 6.2 mile run there weren't too many obstacles and there were SEVERAL Marines along the way cheering you on and helping you over walls!! The Marines (some of them super cute btw) were passing out free hugs and high fives along the way! Some were yelling, "This isn't a Mud Walk, it's a Mud RUN, SO RUN!!!" It was completely AWESOME!!! There was a short black tube to crawl through, a rope wall (I will say there should have been three of these rope walls instead of 2 because there was a long wait to climb over the walls which slowed down our time considerably), a five foot wall to climb over, a 3 foot wall, some logs to climb over and under on and there were quite a few mud pits with nets covering them that you had to belly crawl under. There were volunteers spraying us with fire hoses and water hoses, several water/Gatorade pit stops and quite a few ambulances!! At the end of the race, you are given your race time and dog tags! There was an extremely diverse group there from young children to an 83 year old grandma! People you meet along the way are encouraging and fun. There were people in costumes, even saw a group of men donning kilt's or tutus!! I saw a group of Super Girls, guys in chaps...it was a wild crowd, and I loved every minute of it even though I am sore as heck and my knees are scraped from crawling in the mud pits as there is a great deal of gravel, so I would recommend knee pads for anyone wanting to do this in the future!! Overall, I had an awesome experience with this company and I would do it again!! Btw parking is 5.00 and make sure you have your license and registration as you are going to the Marine Base and you may need to show it, I didn't have to show mine, but my friend in a separate vehicle was asked to show hers! read more

"The World Famous Mud Run" is a nice social event that can provide you with a t-shirt and faux bragging rights. But, the challenge has changed significantly over the last 9 years... for the worst. The army crawl, hay bales and tires are gone. Replaced with long lines to park, long lines to start the race, long lines at bag check, long lines to shower, and long lines to buy food. Why no timing chips? Seriously? 2k people on a single gun start instead of heats/waves. Trying to avoid walkers in the first 2k? Their new slogan should be quantity over quality. I'm not going to drop $60 again. +lots of toilets +$5 beer (suggest byob though) +elevation +lake +eye candy -over crowded course -no timing equipment -45min for a taco -wait for everything -noob runners aka obstacles read more

This race is just as fun, but definitely not as scary as you've heard. I really enjoyed myself, and would do it again if only I could remember to sign up on January 1! I got the feeling that I was in for trouble when I was sprayed with a fire hose ten minutes into the event. I wasn't super focused on my time, since I needed to wait in line a couple times to get a boost over the wall into the mud pit. Yuck. The swim was a fun surprise, though it was difficult to run after wards with soaking wet shoes. I am pretty sure that I ingested some mud while crawling through the last obstacle. My fondest memory is of the Marine who ran alongside me screaming "You got more! You got more!" until I agreed and bolted across the finish line. read more

The first time I did it, I swore that I was never going to do it again. The second time, I cursed my then fiance (now husband) who runs and broke up with him 3 or 4 times (particularly during that crazy hill). The third time, I actually thought the crazy hill wasn't so bad and I semi-enjoyed myself. I mean, it's a 10K- I get tired walking to my car after work, but it is a lot of fun. I look forward to registering on New Year's Day, getting up early the morning of the run, surviving it and then feeling great that I've accomplished something. I recommend everyone do it... at least once! It is a very fun event, especially with a group of people. read more

Fun race. It could use a few more obstacles courses though, apparently they cut out the tires and hay bales for our race 6/6/10. It was fun and I'm glad I did it but I probably wouldn't do it again. Mainly because I didn't like being so dirty afterward and the tents you go to change in were pretty nasty. read more

Amazing race which was challenging but also super fun. I also enjoyed after on the lawn listening to music and having some beer. The wait times for certain things like the shower and bus back to our car was kinda ridiculous though. Nothing ruins a buzz like waiting an hour to get your car and leave. Overall I had a great time and would definitely do it again. read more

When you are encouraged by Marines along the entire course and know that the registration fee goes to the Marines families, how can you not love this race. The race is a 10K but it is no joke. Approximately 4 miles of this race is uphill and it can really hit you if you don't do your hill training. The obstacles overall are pretty "doable" and I would really recommend doing this as a team. Parking is difficult so do get there an hour and a half early as suggested! read more

It's so dirty but it's so fun. It's a rough 10K so be prepared! My only gripe is that some parts were too narrow and they bottle necked into a walk. read more

Great course. Great Cause. With that said, I believe that the organizers are seeing the potential to make more money, but in the end it will hurt them. I did my first Camp Pendleton Mud Run in '09, and have been doing it ever since. But the price hiking is ridiculous. Last year, we did not even have a lake. And the mud was minimal. The $50 registration used to sell out within hours. And from what I see on their site, it is late January and they have yet to sellout. Half of the fun was staying sober on NYE to register! If I had a say, I would vote to go back to the $50 registration and have active.com handle the registration. Oh, and have a photography service that will be able to index their pictures according to finish times and/or bib number. At this pace, I think we will have to grin and bear this year and find another worthy mudder in the future. read more

We LOVE this event. They've added so many new obstacles since the last time I attended, and it's exponentially better! Lunges, rope climbs, barricades, under overs, bear crawl, and so much MUD! You get extremely dirty all while getting an awesome work-out, and the Marines....they have so much fun and are incredibly energetic and enthusiastic (not to mention fun to look at)!! Your registration includes shuttle rides, a t-shirt, bag storage, before/after pictures, AND A FREE BEER haha. Can't wait to sign-up and come out again next year :-) two thumbs up and 5 stars every time! read more

This was my fourth year in a row doing the Camp Pendleton Mud Run. The three prior experiences were great, but this year was a BUST. The 2000 people they added caused them to add an additional parking location, which we ended up in despite arriving almost 2 hours before the race time. By the time we actually got on the shuttle we had waited AN HOUR AND A HALF in line and there were still an hour and a half worth of people behind us, people who no doubt missed the race entirely. We were forced to start with the teams because we missed the individual start, and this difference was not reflected in our times because they don't use chip timing. The most frustrating thing was watching traffic that arrived an hour after us being directed closer to the race site. This means that people who arrived an hour after us were able to start the race on time, where those of us who arrived with plenty of time to spare (so we thought) had to wait in the shuttle line from Hell. Since the shuttle line to return to the remote parking area was so long again, we decided to make the nearly 2 mile walk. I'm sad to say that I probably won't be signing up for this race again after such a poor experience. read more

i did the mud run in a team of 5 on 6/11/2011. it was blast! definitely an activity that should be on everyone's bucket list. just a list of advice that i didn't see in the other reviews if you are planning on doing the mud run: things to bring: -wear waterproof clothes if you can otherwise wear tight clothing. loose clothes feels uncomfortable when you get wet and muddy. -wear a swimsuit underneath if you feel shy in the showers. probably just a bikini bottom and regular sports bra on top would suffice. -bring plastic bags and duffle bag. we brought trash bags and it was heavy and difficult to carry around. we saw ppl with rolling suitcases and duffle bags which were much easier to carry. you can bring whatever you want and check it in. -check in bags based on 4 numbers of your choice. longer lines were around 5, 6, and 7 -apply sunscreen before run and after shower. it gets hot in the afternoon after the run. and there are very little shade as you wait for beer and food. food isn't that great. you can eat the free bananas and oranges after if you are hungry. otherwise, hold out for some famous san diego carne asada fries off base. -don't stand near the lake. you'll get mosquito bites!! a lot of ppl were changing near the lake--like me and walked away with plenty of bites. -if you are not worried about time, bring a waterproof camera and stop to take pictures. totally worth it! we still finished under 2 hours with bathroom breaks too. about the run: -if you are not a runner. the mud run will be especially difficult for you. it's difficult for everyone but even harder if you are not a runner. at least 5k runner. -train on stairclimber, go hiking or trail running. that helps a lot for endurance. -a lot more hills than i expected. most ppl walk up the hill, which causes alot of bottle necks. because of the hills you need traction on your shoes. especially the last muddy hill. so if you can avoid duct tape that would be good. it gets pretty slippery. besides from the river the hills are the most challenging part of the run. you need a lot of endurance for them. -be prepared for many many bottlenecks. -there are marines who help you over the wall if you are short. make sure your mouth is closed when you jump over. haha. or you'll eat it. -tunnel is the easiest obstacle. don't bother crawling you can just squat through it. if you are under 5 ft 4 in you can almost walk through it and just crouch. -embrace the mud. haha! not so bad when you are in it. your shoes will feel so heavy when you start running again, but eventually it'll get lighter. -if you are not 6 ft tall the river will exhaust you. it doesn't matter if you are a strong swimmer. you can only doggy paddle because the shear number of ppl in the water. you cannot get passed other ppl so you are just stuck. but it was still super fun. a tall man saved my life a couple of times. there was a bonding moment for everyone in the river. you have the option of not swimming it. which i probably would do if i ever do the mud run again. crossing the finish line with friends linking arms = best feeling in the world! read more

it's dirty, muddy, fun but not for pussies. and...there's beer in the finisher's village. yum. read more

If I could give this more stars, I would. Do this once in your life. The mud run is unforgettable. The first part is lots of running and a great big hill and then plan on getting down and dirty! There are walls to climb and pits to slosh through. Apparently, I ran this during a dry spell, but the lake has been known to be deep enough for a nice doggie paddle across. Wear some old sneaks, something appropriate to communal shower in after, and for more fun, dress up your team! read more

World class event. Ton of fun. Feeling of accomplishment. Cool tshirts. Lifetime if memories. Great bonding exp

this past weekend was my first time doing the mud run, and i have to say it was very enjoyable! the course itself was intense. and added a lot of enjoyment; very different from a regular, clean 10k. in this one, you get down and dirty and that's what i loved. the only thing i really did not like about the mud run, and it was enough to knock off two stars, was the fact that i felt it was so unorganized leading up to event day. for instance, on their website you cannot find out whether they provide showers, or if they provide bag checks. at a mud run, these seem to be pretty important factors. are these things supposed to be automatically known? is it just me that doesn't know? so for those who are trying to find that stuff out. yes, they do provide showers, and they do provide bag-checks. they are free. also, there are after-run festivities. beer and bbq. ***CASH ONLY*** the line for the showers take forever if you're group is trailing in last. also, you can't get on the bus unless you've showered. if you don't want to wait in the long line, you can walk to the bus and out toward the park area where the benches are. there are tiny fountains (they're about knee high) you can totally use to wash yourself off. no lines! it's pretty close to the bus stop too. other then that, it was pretty fun. if you're serious about doing it, sign up the day registration opens! read more

love this race. this race is a lot of fun. everybody doing it has a great attitude (theres sell beer) the serious athletes and the not so serious athletes get the same thing out of it, the staff working/running the show there are great, and all the money goes to a good place. would recommend it to anyone, just know that it sells out every year. and not a few weeks before the race, a few hours after they open the registration. read more

I have never run the mud run, but I'd heard about it for years. I ran the heartbreak ridge half marathon last Saturday, so that's what this review is based on. I have run some of the bigger races in the area, including Long Beach and Surf City, as well as the Laguna Hills half marathon. This is much cheaper to run, especially compared to Long Beach and Surf City, at I believe $40, but not everyone got a medal. Also, I was able to get a small t-shirt although I didn't pick up my shirt in advance. At Laguna Hills I got stuck with a medium shirt although I'm tiny. Also, they sent my shoe piece micro chip to me in the mail in advance which was nice. I got a very good tech t-shirt, another race, the Kaiser Southern California marathon gave me a t-shirt instead of a tech shirt. This was a great race, although I ran it very slowly in nearly three hours. My best half marathon was the race where I got the crappy t-shirt, the Kaiser Socal and that was two hours flat and 54 seconds. This is a stand alone half marathon, unlike some other races. Now for the course, it was the toughest half marathon course I have ever run, and it started at 8:40, which was fairly late. The women started after the men, so I didn't catch any guys till the turn around. The course was out and back, and is a downhill going out, uphill going back, but it didn't quite feel that way, but that's what it was, I did much slower coming back than going out. They should start the race later in the day, as somebody was collapsed on one of the last uphills, and another guy collapsed due to calf pain even closer to the finish line. The hills will kill your calves and quads, even if you feel fine afterwards. The marines ran with a lot of the people behind me, but the last half of the race, at least as I saw it, nearly everybody walked, and these were not slow morbidly obese walkers, some of these people were US Marines, so that should tell you how hard the course is and how bad the heat gets! read more

DO NOT sign up for this unless you want to waste $100. Completely unorganized, overcrowded, 2 hour wait times for nothing. I got to the start one hour early and didn't even get to race due to a glitch in the team to individual conversion. What a waste of time and money, and the people helping were the most unhelpful I've ever come across (and I'm at a race at least once a month). Horrible. horrible experience. I'm sure the course is fun but if they've somehow messed something up with your registration, just be prepared to waste your whole day and $100. They need to fix the logistics of this race. I would never even consider coming back! Would give negative stars if I could! read more

The Mud Run has eliminated age groups for runners over the age of 70. All other age groups are in 5 year brackets, but all runners over 70 are together. The man who won the 80-90 age group last year (2012) got third place behind a pair of guys in their early 70s, while a 3rd 71-year old runner came in 4th and was denied a medal. This is unfair. read more