Muddy buddy
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Muddy buddy is an outdoor amateur sports competition (mostly in the United States, also in Canada) involving two-person teams running and bicycling through an obstacle course.
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[edit] Introduction
A muddy buddy event is a two-person athletic competition that involves running, mountain biking, and the completion of obstacles. The 6 mile course is divided into five sections. Partners leapfrog each other while switching from biking to running and vice versa at each obstacle. The final obstacle in every race is the mud pit where both teammates must belly crawl through a mud pit before finishing the race.
Both partners start at the same time, one running and one biking. The first obstacle is at the one mile mark. The biker approaches the transition area first. He or she drops the bike, conquers the obstacle, and starts running to the second transition or obstacle. The runner then approaches the first transition area, conquers the obstacle, finds the bike, and starts riding to the second transition or obstacle area. The team will continue to leap-frog throughout the course, switching from biking and running throughout the event.
[edit] History
The muddy buddy as we know it began circa 1999 as a race that was not ultra-competitive while being fun for everyone.
[edit] Race details
[edit] Course
Both teammates begin at the same time with one on the bike and the other prepared to run. The course is approximately 6 miles long and is broken down into five sections, each approximately 1 mile in length. After each section, the biker and runner switch so that the biker is now running and the runner is now biking. Each transition also has its own obstacle. This obstacle must be completed before continuing on. There are a tolal of five sections so the person who starts biking will bike three times and run twice. The opposite is true for the runner who will run three times and bike twice. After the fifth leg of the race the teammates meet and go through the mud pit together before crossing the finish line.
[edit] Teams and age groups
The following are the team types and age groups for muddy buddy events. The age is the combined age of both teammates (example: teammate A is 25 and teammate B is 36, so the team age is 61):
- All male – under 55
- All male – 55 to 69
- All male – 70 to 94
- All female – under 55
- All female – 55 to 69
- All female – 70 to 94
- Co-ed – under 55
- Co-ed – 55 to 69
- Co-ed – 70 to 94
- Beast - All teams must have a combined weight of greater than 400 pounds (and they do weigh the top three before giving prizes).
- Masters – All teams with a combined age greater than 94.
Note: The minimum individual age is 14. Except in the 'Mini-Muddy Buddy' event which takes place after the adults have their fun.
[edit] Obstacles
The obstacles are designed and placed to fit each venue for the race. Examples of obstacles are:
- Cargo net climb
- Monkey bars
- Cargo net crawl
- Hay bale obstacle
- Inflatable net climb and slide
[edit] Mud pit
The final obstacle at every event is a mud pit. This area is generally lined with spectators to witness the muddy mess. Teammates go through the mud pit together and must belly crawl below ribbons hung across the mud pit. Failure to crawl on one's belly is met with jeers from the crowd. Once the teammates finish the mud pit, they must carefully (the mud makes things very slippery) cross the finish line together.
[edit] Equipment
- Mountain bike: One bike is shared between teammates. Be sure that the seat is set at the proper height for both riders and that there is plenty of water. Remember to have platform pedals on your bike.
- Two bike helmets: Each teammate must have their own bike helmet and it must remain with them at all times. You must be wearing the helmet when you are on the bike and have it with you (either on your head or carried by you) when you run.
- Clothing: It’s a good idea to bring a change of clothing and footwear for after the race.
