Summary

If you’ve ever been curious about obstacle course races but felt nervous, unsure, or convinced they’re “not for you,” this is the one to try.

Our group will be walking the Muddy Dash, not running it. This is a relaxed, supportive, laugh-a-lot experience designed for people who want to get muddy, have fun, and try something new without pressure.

Muddy Dash is widely considered one of the most beginner-friendly obstacle courses out there. It’s so accessible that kids as young as 7 can do it with a parent, and adults of all fitness levels regularly finish with smiles on their faces. You can skip obstacles, take breaks, help each other through, and go at your own pace.

For a little extra reassurance: I’ll be doing the course and I have two knee replacements and a hip replacement. If I can do it, you absolutely can.

This is not a competition. There’s no timing pressure, no racing, and no expectation to “push through” anything that doesn’t feel right. Muddy Dash is about teamwork, laughter, and shared accomplishment, not grit or suffering.

We’ll start together, move together, and finish together.

Start Time: 9:00 am wave
Arrival Time: Please arrive by 8:00 am
Team Name: Kick Ass!

Check-in: At least 45 minutes before your wave
Optional Packet Pickup: At the venue on July 31st, 4:00 pm–8:00 pm

The course is about 3 miles long with basic obstacles like crawling, stepping over things, light climbing, and lots of mud. Think fun and silly, not extreme. After the finish line, there’s a festival atmosphere with food, beer vendors, music, photo ops, and plenty of time to celebrate getting through it together.

If races like Tough Mudder or Spartan Race feel intimidating, this is the opposite vibe. Muddy Dash is about inclusion, encouragement, and joy.

Come muddy. Leave smiling. Walk it with us.

Make a Weekend of It?

If you’re coming from a distance or want to turn Muddy Dash into a weekend trip, I’ll be camping at Quinebaug Cove Campground in Brimfield, MA, about 11 miles from the venue. The campground sits on a 420-acre reservoir and offers tent sites, RV spots, and cabin rentals, along with showers, a pool, beach access, and easy canoeing or kayaking (I will be paddleboarding) on a scenic five-mile water trail. It’s a relaxed, comfortable basecamp if you want to extend the fun beyond the mud on Saturday morning.

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

Venue: 508 INTL – Adventure Sports Center
219 Brookfield Rd
Charlton, MA 01507

Directions

From Boston and Eastern MA:
Take I-90 (Mass Pike) west to Exit 90 (formerly Exit 9) for I-84 West toward Hartford, CT. Take Exit 1 off I-84 for Route 20 East toward Sturbridge. Follow Route 20 East for approximately 5 miles, then turn right onto Brookfield Road. Follow Brookfield Road to 219 Brookfield Road, Charlton.

From Western MA:
Take I-90 (Mass Pike) east to Exit 78 (formerly Exit 8) for Route 20 East toward Sturbridge. Follow Route 20 East through Sturbridge and into Charlton. Turn right onto Brookfield Road and continue to 219 Brookfield Road.

From Connecticut and Points South:
Take I-84 East toward Massachusetts. Take Exit 1 for Route 20 East toward Sturbridge. Follow Route 20 East for approximately 5 miles, then turn right onto Brookfield Road. Continue to 219 Brookfield Road, Charlton.

Get driving directions from Google Maps

Campground (Optional Overnight Stay):  Quinebaug Cove Campground
49 E Brimfield Holland Rd|
Brimfield, MA 01010

The campground is about a 16 minute drive from the Muddy Dash venue and offers a relaxed basecamp option for those who want to make a weekend of it.