Big Muddy Challenge sets dates for 2014, plans expansion to Fayetteville, Charlotte

Adam Spisak, the founder and CEO, tells me that he is expanding, planning two events at Hill Ridge in Youngsville in 2014, plus adding events in  Fayetteville, Charlotte, Richmond and northern Virginia. Spisak is in talks with farms in those new areas that, like Hill Ridge, offer large play areas where younger siblings can stay busy while their brother or sister and a parent take part in the event.

"Our whole focus is to have venues that are very similar to Hill Ridge farms. They have the manicured park, spectator area because so many of our participants bring family and friends and younger children," he said. "We want that to be part of the experience as well."

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Spisak said he learned a lot from feedback from participants and spectators after the September event. Next time around, there will be more mud, he said. He also is working to redesign the course so spectators can see more of the action. 

"That's always going to be limited to a certain degree, but we're focusing on making that a key element," he said.

Spisak also is working to mix up the usual mud run experience. He's planning one mud run at Hill Ridge Farm. The other will be what he's calling the Big Suddy Challenge where, instead of running through muddy obstacles, you're running through soap suds.

"We are getting a little bit creative and if I'm going to have two events in one venue, it can't just be the mud run," he said. "That will turn a little stale eventually."

Registration already is open for the first event at Hill Ridge for 2014. It's April 26. Spisak tells me he hopes to finalize the details for the other races in the next few of weeks. I asked him to keep me posted so I can share it with you. 

"I'm just very encouraged," said Spisak, who now has a core group of seven people helping him out. "... It's exciting."