On the morning of Oct. 2, in a dirt field in what seemed like the middle of nowhere, 2,400 competitors prepared for the 14th?Volkslauf ultimate challenge mud run.

Bakersfield?College freshman Tracey Warren, completing his third Volkslauf, finished first in the 5-kilometer event.

Volkslauf, which raises funds for charity, also had a 10k challenge.

In just over 20 minutes from the starting time, Warren was wrapping up the end of the course as on-lookers watched as he climbed over bars and dived into a muddy trench only to climb out the other side, wrapping both his arms and legs around the rope to pull himself out of the pit.

Exhausted and reaching for ropes to help himself out of the trench, Warren made it over the last hill and turned in his timing chip that was given to him at registration.

After finishing the three-mile run in 31 minutes and having the mud sprayed off of him from the fire hoses, the BC swimmer and first competitor to cross the finish line said that the challenge was exhausting.

“The hardest part was definitely the mud trench; I couldn’t move in that thing,” said Warren.

The thrill of competition motivates him to keep coming back and participate in the run.

He said, “I love the competition, being able to push through the pain, and trying to do my best. I’m so excited! I didn’t expect this at all. I just came out to run and have fun, but I just caught the runner and then that was it.”

The morning had begun with competitors ranging form high-energy, Amazon-face-painted team securing their shoes to their legs with duct tape and giving each other tribal names, to the focused and experienced athletes warming up with pre-race stretches. The anticipation continued to grow as the day grew hotter and the start time pushed back further by an hour due to parking congestion.

For 12 years, Volkslauf was held across from Lerdo Penitentiary but was moved to Wings Way across from Meadows Field Airport due to the expansion of Lerdo’s facility and end of Volkslauf’s contract. The Bakersfield Volkslauf is organized by the Marine Core League and was originally started to raise money for Toys for Tots, but now contributes to many different charities.

Retired Marines built the high walls, deep water filled trenches, dusty trails and steep dirt hills throughout the course that intimidated some and excited others as they waited for their event.

Michelle Caudill was growing nervous before her first time participating in the run.

She said, “I kind of just got talked into this by a friend. I usually do trail races, but I’m not sure about these obstacles.

While cousins Raul and Mario Gasman said they were excited about all the stunts as they looked up towards the rope wall they soon had to face.

Jamba Juice gave out free drinks to all the runners and also had their own team of runners who represented all four locations in town with employees from each store. Team Jamba was hyped up and ready to “rep[resent] a healthy lifestyle.”

Team member Joshua Ramierez believed that there would be no challenge too tough.

“We are going to have each other’s backs and work together as a team,” he said. “We are going to conquer it all! With heath!”

At 9:47 a.m., the 5k racers were called to start, and the crowds roared with excitement as the runners took their place. Before the race started a prayer was said to remind everyone that, for many out there, such a course is not seen as play, but life and death commitments and that we are all just one team of Americans.

After a few patriotic displays, Glen Pruitt, official race starter, began to pump up the crowd. He said that many people believed that they could not rebuild the mud run, and to them he said, “Don’t ever tell a Marine he can’t do something!”

At 10:09 a.m. Pruitt sounded off the 5K event with a bang, which was immediately accompanied by the creation of a large dust cloud and cheering from both spectators and competitors.

The 10K events set off 15 minutes later, starting with individual males. Individual females, all male teams, military and law enforcement teams, all female teams and mixed teams were the sent off in twelve minute intervals.

Not long after Warren, the runners began to make their way out of the course.

Twelve-year-old Julian Irigoyen finished in 37 minutes after losing his shoes. “I lost them in the mud pit,” he said while still catching his breath.

This year was his second year competing and said, “I like it because it’s fun, but it’s really hard to do.”

Taylor, Kory and Joey Clifton have been competing as a family for the past two Volkslaufs. Taylor Clifton was first to finish before her younger sister and father. She prepared for the race by running at her high school and was excited for the competition.

“I feel pumped right now! It was awesome. The hardest part was climbing that wall,” said Clifton.

When asked if there is any competition within the family she said, “Yes! That would be me and him,” as she looked over to her dad with a smile.

Kevin Kleinhenz won the individual 10k in 45 minutes, and Krisi Heriford won the women’s division in 57 minutes.

Fruit, water and other refreshments waited at the finish line for the exhausted runners.