Kyra Finner
Staff Writer
All kinds of ISU students and community members ran in the eighth annual Ambush Mud Run last Saturday.
In Bartz Field on Sept. 7, runners met up with their teammates to stretch, warm-up and hydrate before the 5-kilometer race took off. The mud race is put on by ASISU every year and advertises to anyone who wants to be involved with Idaho State University.
The cost for the obstacle race was $25 per person for groups from 4-7 people. For the participants who didn’t have a group, they had an option to go as a “Lone Wolf” on the race. “There are no rewards and no timers in this race,” said Tiffany Hatfield, Ambush Coordinator.
“The reason for that is to prevent stress from ruining the race; we want it to be fun for everyone involved,” Hatfield said.
The Associated Students of Idaho State University (ASISU) promotes the Ambush for a variety of reasons. “We like to put this event together because it encourages school spirit, community involvement, and exercise,” said Maddy Wilson, a volunteer of the ASISU assisting in the race.
In 2014, the race was taken over by the ASISU from previously being a part of ISU’S recruitment team’s job. Ever since then, the club has been working on making the Ambush as exciting as possible.
“The ASISU is here to support student government, and to provide a voice for different clubs and organizations on campus,” Wilson said.
The ASISU uses the money they make from the event for new scholarships, events, and activities on Idaho State University’s campus.
The participants raced from the bottom of the field, up the rolling hills, through the Red Hill Pillars and back before the marathon was over.
“My favorite part about the Ambush was the giant slip and slide,” participant Tristan Gardener said.
“My friend invited me to come to the race today and I decided to try it,” he added while drenched in water.
For the end of the race, the contestants flew down a giant slip and slide. With a good running start, many of them coasted almost 10 feet into the grass.
All kinds of groups and organizations joined in on the fun such as Amy’s kitchen staff, whole families, and the local army recruiters who did the marathon multiple times before the day was over. A few kids went down the slide while nobody was watching.
Many of the students on Saturday were enthusiastic about coming back to do the Ambush again.
“I’m actually a first-timer and I’m already making plans to come back next year,” said Tristan Gardner after the race.
