Annual run gives thousands an excuse to play in the mud

Athletes from all over Southern California trudged along for 10 kilometers, covered in mud and sweat during the 2010 Camp Pendleton Mud Run at Lake O’Neil, June 5 and 6, with one more run scheduled for June 12.

More than 3,000 participants donned their best mud-friendly attire and ran in the annual event, sponsored by Marine Corps Community Services that is part of Marine Special Operations Command’s Hard Corps Race Series.

“I’ve heard about the mud runs for years and finally decided to participate in it as one of my last events during my enlistment,” said Sgt. Ray Vizcaino, noncommissioned of...