An era came to a close on Saturday as the final Battlegrounds Mud Run race was held at Cedar Lake Cellars, giving way to a new direction.The venue, which has been host to obstacle course races since 2012, will be taken over by the Tough Mudder series going forward. Battlegrounds Founder Carl Bolm says a five-year relationship has been formed with the organization.“They will be picking up where we left off,” said Bolm. “We’re excited about the future and very proud of what we’ve done in the past and looking forward.”When the Battlegrounds races began in 2012, there were 400 competitors. That number quickly surged into the thousands, with two races being hosted each year since. On Saturday, the race drew 3,000 participants from 27 different states. An afternoon thunderstorm made the course particularly challenging for those in the later waves.“We decided to go out with a finale,” said Bolm. “We had one heck of a storm come in here and really give them the run that they were looking for.”Over the past six years Battlegrounds became certified as an Obstacle Course Race qualifying event. Many obstacles were added as popularity grew.“This is what I envisioned with the hard work from all the staff here,” said Bolm. “It’s exciting to be part of this industry.”Warrenton native Scott Schulze has been there since day one, having competed in all of the races.“It was great this year,” said Schulze, who participates in the competitive wave. “It’s always been a tough run, and I’m going to miss it. It’s been my happy place to go a couple times a year.”Each year Schulze has witnessed the progression of the race, with more challenges but also more fluidity in operation.“It was so well organized this year,” said Schulze. “I didn’t see any lines. They had it run pretty efficiently where it wouldn’t clog up the lines.”Schulze said he will likely continue competing when Tough Mudder takes over, as will Malerie O’Brien of Warrenton. She participated in her second Battlegrounds race on Saturday.“Once the storm came through it was much more muddy,” said O’Brien. “The track itself this year was awesome.”While their level of experience might be different, both Schulze and O’Brien were drawn to the Battlegrounds race for the same reason.“I just wanted to prove that I can do it and go out and conquer it,” said O’Brien.

A challenger takes on one of the many obstacles at the Battlegrounds Mud Run Saturday, May 19, at Cedar Lake Cellars. This was the final Battlegrounds race to be held on the course, as Tough Mudder will be taking over the venue. 

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe

THRILL OF ACCOMPLISHMENT — Challengers near the finish line of the Battlegrounds Mud Run on Saturday, May 19. This was the final Battlegrounds race to be held on the course, as Tough Mudder will be taking over the venue. 

Record photo/Derrick Forsythe