— What’s the Word?In Washington County, Oregon —

Tutus were optional.

The third year was indeed a charm for Warrior Dash Oregon as the mud got deeper and the weather cooperated for the estimated 17,000 participants on Sept. 8 and 9.

The 3.12-mile obstacle course on the Horning’s Fishing and Picnic Hideout property in North Plains was slightly different than last year, with an added challenge of logs to crawl under (through dirt, of course); and a full-on, waist deep, pudding-like mud pit to slog through. I ran through that part; it was an opportunity to send mud splatters in all directions!

The course, or what organizers referred to as “the battleground,” was again a challenging and fun way to spend a Saturday with friends. Though running with squishy, water-soaked tennis shoes up the steep slopes of Horning’s property was still tricky. All of this year’s run was for a good cause: funds raised for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

All the mud-caked warriors assembled at the after party, where the turkey legs (a.k.a. “meat sticks”) were delicious rewards and the beer was, well, free. And kudos to the cover band, which played everything from “Sweet Home Alabama” to “Just a Girl.” Indeed.

The run ended with "clean up time."

All finishers got medals!