Mud rocks. For the eighth year in a row, the Joint Base Lewis-McChord Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation department hosted its signature 5K Down & Dirty Mud Run.

"We've really worked hard to make this event fun and safe," Tara Ricci, race director, said as over 500 competitors poured into the parking lot outside of Soldiers Field House to check in.

"This is a family friendly fun event.  It's great to be able to celebrate fun and fitness."

To say nothing of the loads of mud waiting for the competitors to celebrate with.

Photo: Competitors wash the mud off after the 8th Annual 5K Down & Dirty Mud Run at JBLM.

Spc. Trey Nelson, Bravo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, looked forward to the event.

"This is my first time being here, and I thought it would be fun to come out and play," he said.

While most wore standard workout gear, some competitors wore costumes.

Completely painted blue, Nelson ran as Hefty Smurf, a cartoon character who has incredible strength and likes to lift weights.  He takes pride in being tough.

Nelson takes pride in toughness too.

"This course will be a great test for me," he added with a smile.

When Nelson finished the course, his blueness was a muddy brown.

Covering a shade over three miles, the course featured walls to climb, tires to wiggle through, cascading water to run through, and large, deep pools of mud to crawl through.

Smartly promoted and administered, the race was run in three waves.  First, those contestants between the ages of 16 and 35 took off.  A few minutes later, those between the ages of 35 and up lined up and began.  Several minutes after that, those with young children and families began the run.

No times were kept; every finisher received a medallion.

"Outstanding event," a muddy and wet Christine Forsythe said seconds after crossing the finish line.

"This was great fun!"