URBANDALE, Iowa- Hundreds of people ran a muddy five mile race at Living History Farms in Urbandale on Saturday morning.
The Living History Farms Race started and ended at the 1876 town of Walnut Hill and ran through three historic farm sites. The nearly 600 runners saw horses, sheep, cows, and pigs during the course that brought them through 300-years of history. There were also three creeks that they ran through.
The early morning rainfall added to the experience for runners, making the route muddy and filling the creeks with water. Elizabeth Sedrel, with Living History Farms, said the course conditions were ideal for runners.
“[Runners] like for the trail to be a little tough. They like for the creek crossings to have water… They will actually tell us that it’s not a fulfilling experience if it’s too dry,” she said.
The final creek before the finish line was filled with water up to waist-level.
Awards were given to the top two male and top two female runners overall, as well as the top two males and females in the following age divisions: