How The Roanoke Marine MudRun Started…
In 1996 a newly promoted Captain Ted Adams, had recently arrived to serve as Inspector Instructor at the Marine Reserve unit in Roanoke. He had a unique perspective to serve in this unit. Although he was an active duty officer at the time, he had been enlisted in the reserves for almost 8 years before accepting a commission. He felt there was always a lack
of interaction between local reserve units and the community and so he set out to invent something that might change that. He wanted to do something other than a typical Toys-4-Tots event where people were expected to donate toys. He wanted more than a monetary donation, He wanted people to get a small taste of what it meant to be a Marine. A benefit fun run through mud seemed to be the perfect fit
He set out to plan and execute the first run in less than 3 months. He met with Roanoke County Parks and Recreation to discuss a possible location and that is when he found out about Camp Roanoke. They quickly decided that partnering with Roanoke County Parks and Recreation for a dual benefit would be a win-win. The Marine Corps League Roanoke Valley Detachment #426 did logistical support, and served as the initial contact with multiple businesses which provided outstanding support. They would eventually take over most of the "heavy lifting" required to make the run a success. WSLS Channel 10 had been very supportive of T4T events in the past and were asked to support again. They worked together to film some PSA commercials staring Marines and local newscasters and were a big hit (May have won broadcaster awards for their efforts supporting T4T). He had no idea what kind of response or participation he'd get the first year. Around about 387 runners, but probably twice as many spectators! Everyone was very enthusiastic about the race; and they were immediately inundated with requests to do it again. The race quickly became a community event which brought thousands of people together for "good clean fun" while also raising thousands of dollars for Toys-4-Tots and Camp Roanoke. These two very worthy causes help bring a smile to the faces of many children. Toys-4-Tots…
Monetary donations from the Marine MudRun has helped with the mission of the U. Marine Corps Reserve Toys-4-Tots Program that is to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distribute those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the Roanoke County Region. The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to less fortunate youngsters that will assist them in becoming responsible, productive, patriotic citizens. The objectives of Toys for Tots are to help less fortunate children throughout the United States experience the joy of Christmas; to play an active role in the development of one of our nation’s most valuable resources – our children; to unite all members of local communities in a common cause for three months each year during the annual toy collection and distribution campaign; and to contribute to better communities in the future. Camp Roanoke…
Roanoke County’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism has been proud to host the Marine Corps Mud Run since 1996. Around the time the first event was being planned, Roanoke County was in the early stages of revitalizing Camp Roanoke, a youth summer camp founded in 1925 that had fallen into disrepair. The County took over the camp as part of the effort to construct Spring Hollow Reservoir. It was decided that in exchange for allowing the use of Green Hill Park for the annual event, some of the proceeds from the Mud Run would go towards Camp Roanoke. This arrangement still stands, having raised for facility improvements and repairs that have been an essential part of the growth the camp has experienced. Thanks to the partnership with the Marine Corps League, Camp Roanoke has been able to serve more participants in a safer and more comfortable environment, community program participants and citizens in a year-round capacity. Donations received assist the camp with facility needs and repairs and are an essential component to our success.”
In the end, it’s local youth that benefit from the most from the Mud Run, whether through Toys-4-Tots or the Camp Roanoke donation. With the help of the Marine Corps League, Roanoke County is able to serve over 2,000 youth each year, enriching their lives through outdoor programs, summer camps and environmental education experiences. MudRun Today:
The Marine Corps League Roanoke Valley Detachment has continued to carry on the Marine MudRun with the support of Marine Volunteers from Bravo Company, 4th Combat Engineer Battalion. This event is held the 3rd Saturday of September each year at Green Hill Park on the outskirts of Roanoke County, VA. We have no paid workers and is strictly volunteers coming together to have some clean muddy fun to make our community a better place. Over the past twenty-three years, more than 31,000 “runners” have participated, generating over $302,000.00 to benefit Roanoke Toys for Tots Foundation and Camp Roanoke. Each of these organizations benefits underprivileged children in the Roanoke area. We have emerged from the normal 5k with a romp through Roanoke River, a hike up Mount Suribachi and low crawling through a 75 yard mud pit to a full blown challenging obstacle race for adults and kids and still keeping the original Individual along with Team Races. Each year we are changing keeping up with present day races to offer the best competitive race around. We are excited with the new obstacles that will be added to the 2019 race. Hope you join us in our efforts in helping our cause…OOH-RAH!
