8th Annual SBSD Mud Run Saturday

The 8th Annual SBSD Mud Run, hosted and organized by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, is scheduled Saturday May 19.

Organizers say the goal of the 2012 SBSD Mud Run is to bring together members of the community with Southern California public safety personnel "for a fun day in the mud and sun." Event proceeds go to local charities throughout the Inland Empire.

The Mud Run is open to the public, and "everyone is invited to participate," according to organizers.

Events are scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at the sheriff's Training Center, 18000 W. Institution Road in northwest San Bernardino.

On-line registration for the Self-Challenge/Fun Run is open until Thursday May 17. Registration for competitive categories is now limited to day-of-race signups, which begin at 6 a.m. Saturday, according to organizers.

The fees listed on the Mud Run website are $15 for the 1K Youth Run, $60 per person for the 5K, and $300 for five-person team participation in the 5K.

Participants in the 5K must be 14 years of age minimum, organizers said.

"The 2012 SBSD Mud Run involves several obstacles, low-crawls, mud-pits, hills, our infamous whoop-de-doos and an especially thick mud made of sand, dirt and water," organizers said.

"It is set in a boot camp styled atmosphere where a combination of citizens, law enforcement, fire department, companies, teams, colleges and military personnel compete together. Individual runners can enter the event or groups of 5 can enter as a team to promote camaraderie."

Parking is free and there is no fee for spectators. Organizers advise "traffic will be heavy" and recommend arriving before 7:30 a.m.

The main event - the competitive Mud Run - is scheduled start at 9 a.m.

The race will not be timed and awards will be presented as follows: 

                   * 1st place individual male
                   * 1st place individual female
                   * 1st place all male (5 member) team
                   * 1st place all female (5 member) team
                   * 1st place mixed (5 member) team

"A 1st place perpetual trophy will be awarded to the 1st place Law Enforcement SWAT Operators and the 1st place SBSD station/division/bureau," organizers said. "Each category will maintain their 1st place trophy at their agency/station/division/bureau until April 1, 2013."

The Self-Challenge/Fun Run is scheduled to start 9:15 a.m.

The Children's 1K Run, also known as the Pig Pen, for children younger than age 14, is scheduled to start at 12 noon.

All participants must sign a waiver.

Event sponsors include K-Swiss, Performance Printing, American Medical Response, Rightway, San Bernardino County Fire Department, Safety Employees Benefit Association, Mercy Air and SoCal Wraps Vehicle Graphics.

For more information, visit www.sbsdmudrun.com or email sbsdmudrun@gmail.com.