For twenty years, Randy Step has delivered Dances with Dirt! Thank you Randy and all the wonderful volunteers. The Dark Horse Nation Team has participated since 2012 and we are looking forward to 2015! Life In Michigan loves Michigan Craft Beer and are thrilled that Bell’s sponsors Dances with Dirt. We are partial to Dark Horse Brewing and would love it if they were a sponsor. Just saying. No pressure.
Twenty Dirty Deeds:
Twenty Year Anniversary
This year marks twenty years. I’m pretty sure some of the runners were still in diapers twenty years ago. The “Dependables” have come full circle.
Precise Packing
Packing is important. It will become a disheveled mess minutes after the race starts. I really wish I had an after picture. It was pouring down rain and we were falling down tired and ready for food. So I didn’t ask for an after picture, but there were dirty socks, underwear, shoes, empty bottles and basic mayhem in the back of the Jeep….
Arrive Early
Arrive well before the sunrise. Why? I’m not exactly sure, but it is cool to see the ultra’s take off with their headlamps bobbing down the trail.
Dirty Cocktails Needed
Beverages are a must. Ours were in the Beer and Scotch category, but I liked the Dirty Cocktail Lounge.
National Anthem Done Well
We all watched as three skydivers skillfully parachuted down to the start and a young woman sang the National Anthem. She did a fine job too. It was all very impressive.
The sun was up and the runners were off!
Hash House Harriers
I had no knowledge of the Hash House Harriers prior to this race. It is basically a running and drinking club. I’m pretty sure this team’s members are Hash House Harrier ring leaders.
The Park was Bursting
I’m not sure what it was bursting with, runners, libations, energy. It was definitely a full.
Lemon James Plays in the Dirt
Lemon James and Gerry Hermann were the Theme Award Judges.
Costume Contest
Every team has a theme and there were prizes for the most “creative”. I don’t have the official results, but I hope these teams won something!
Cleopatra Made an Entrance
This team should get a special award. I think perhaps my team will carry me around next year.
The “Hand-Off”
Our hand-off isn’t particularly exciting. A few teams really got into the process. They passed something, like a football or GPS watch. Or maybe even gave the incoming a bottle of water. Not us, we were lucky to find each other.
Team Banners are Necessary
Locating your teammates is the primary reason for the banners. Many teams put a lot effort into expressing their team’s personality, or perhaps parentage.
Yes, there was Mudd
But that is why we registered, right? The leg known as “This Sucks” is typically the culprit for super dirty runners.
This year the Goat added a leg called “Mad Dog 20-20” which took runners through a nice swampy adventure. Tough mudder folks have nothing on DWD runners!
And there were a Few Surprises
Like when a werewolf finished “This Sucks”. I heard several female runners whisper, “I wonder what is under that mask?”
A Splash at the End
Always Question Your Sanity
The whole Dances With Dirt experience is a lot of fun, but after hours on the trail and smelling like a swamp, you do have to wonder about what you consider “fun”. We like the saying “I don’t suffer from insanity, I enjoy every minute”.
Awesome Medals Definitely
It is also a bottle opener!
Wear your Race Shirts Proudly
The Dances with Dirt Race shirts include a snippet from the race waiver, “I realize that my participation in this event entails the risk of injury or even death…”
Please Support Waterloo Trail
A five loop, 20+ mile mountain bike trail system in the Waterloo Recreation Area north of Chelsea, Michigan was approved and needs your support. The trail system will link up with the Pinckney recreation area to provide bikers, runners, and walkers with a ton of “Pure Michigan” adventures. We purchased the silver mugs to support the effort.
Before and After Selfies
Chuck started out all sassy. Then the wheels on the Chuck-mobile flew off and he looked more like a deranged looking soul wandering the woods.
Thanks Randy and your amazing team for another great race. The volunteers were outstanding as always!
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We’ve got a more photos in our gallery!
