We ended our season of fundraising for schools with a huge send-off – thank you for being a part of our success in 2017!

“We’ve never done anything like this before, but the mud run was a wonderful event. Very well organized, super fun and empowering for the kids, and we loved the big crowd of participants and spectators. I love that it benefits all the schools represented by the participants.  Thank you for organizing – she already wants to sign up for next year!”

~Parent of one of our new mud run athletes

tri 4 schools mud run 2017

It takes a lot of work from a lot of people to make our Family Mud Run happen each year, and we are so grateful to partner with amazing businesses like Madison Smile Solutions and National Guardian Life Insurance.  From sponsoring scholarships for all members of the family to providing volunteers, post-race treats and prizes, and a stellar packet pick-up, they go above and beyond to help us put on a fun, safe, and accessible event.

This year, we had the added challenge of running this event on an unusually warm September morning – and thankfully, everything still ran safely and without heat-related injuries or illnesses.  Good work staying hydrated, everyone!  Shout-out to our water sponsor, Premium Waters, and Fitchrona EMS, for keeping us all safe!

tri 4 schools mud run 2017

Each race, we tally up the number of athletes from each participating school to help us divide out our race entry fees.  We had 1132 participants, and raised over $24,000!

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Here’s how it shook out this year for our top five schools:

  1. Lincoln Elementary, Madison – 129 athletes!  They’ll earn our Fittest School trophy to add to their collection (for the FOURTH year in a row – I think they should change their name to Mud Run Elementary at this point).

  2. Mendota Elementary – 47 kids
  3. Midvale Elementary – 43 kids
  4. Gompers Elementary – 41 kids
  5. Glacier Elementary, Verona – 35 kids

We’d like to give a shout-out to our amazing volunteers!  Once again, the UW Kinesiology Club sent almost 20 volunteers, complete with energy and kindness for all of our kids.  We appreciate everyone who took the time to come out and help on a steamy morning – you are a difference maker!

matt mason photography mud run 2017 volunteers

We know that there are always opportunities to improve, so we hope you’ll consider taking our event survey. We’re working on how to accommodate the rapid growth of this event within the facility space, and would love your ideas, too.

Got any great photos or inspiring stories?  Please share them with us via email (katie@tri4schools.org) or on our Instagram, Snapchat (@tri4schoolswi), or Facebook page.  You can use the hashtag #t4smudrun.  Remember, if you post your picture on Madison Smile Solutions Facebook page, you will be entered to win some great prizes!

We’re not done yet this year!  Please join us on October 21st in Middleton for the DreamBank Haunted Hustle Kids Race!  There’s a ton of family fun for you afterwards, too!  Registration is open via our website, and volunteers are always needed, too!

From our staff, board, and race day leadership, we are honored that you choose to support us.  Thanks for allowing us to share in an important moment in your child’s life.

With gratitude,
Katie Hensel

Founder and Executive Director

*Featured image credit to Matt Mason Photography