The Ontario Speedway will host a three-mile mud run and obstacle course Saturday, May 4, much like the former Dirty Dash runs.
The “Big Nasty,” a primarily flat, family-friendly, three-mile run/walk, kicks off at 11 a.m. at the old Ontario Golf Course south of the Ontario Municipal Airport.
According to Ron Dillon, manager of the Ontario Speedway, mud runs or obstacle courses such as the Dirty Dash and Spartan Race, exploded in popularity from 2010 to 2020. However, the onset of the pandemic halted the events.
He said the Big Nasty is now the only such event between Ontario and Boise.
Dillon said the Big Nasty is not a race. Nobody is timed. There are no prizes. There will be a raffle with various prizes, according to an event flyer. Additionally, the first 300 people to register will get a free t-shirt.
Participants can expect an obstacle course featuring mud holes, water crossings, an inflatable slide and a “fun finish,” according to an event flyer.
Dillon said the Ontario Speedway was initially opened for race boats. However, he said, attendance at the events has lagged, making it difficult for organizers to “pay the bills.” He said speedway owners will not host sprint boat races this year and will bring them back in 2025.
This year, Dillon said, the Ontario Speedway will focus on “fun events,” such as the four-wheeler race held a few weeks ago. In June, the speedway will host a vintage motorcycle race, according to Dillon.
The cost to register for the Big Nasty is $40 for adults and $25 for children 12 and younger. Dillon said there are no age restrictions. He said organizers would leave it up to parents to use their best judgment. Dillon said there are no entry fees for spectators.
For more information about the event, call 208-573-4255. To register for the mud run, go to ontariospeedway.com.
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