NAVY SAILORS ORGANIZING THE 2011 MID-SOUTH MUD RUN!

By Electronics Technician Chief (SS/DV) John Vallas, Navy Reserve, Navy Recruiting Command

Release Date 3/30/2011

MILLINGTON, Tn. – Sailors stationed at Naval Support Activity Mid-South are pulling together all available resources to organize a unique fundraiser for their 2011 NMCRS fund drive.

The Mid-South Mud Run, scheduled for April 9 at 9 a.m., has been organized in an effort to raise money and awareness for the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

The 5K challenge takes “mud runners” across 13 obstacles, including mud hills, tire jumps, water-crossings, mud pits, and more.

Inspiration for such a complex undertaking comes from a recent tragedy experienced by much of the Base and local community.  After intense rainfall in May of 2010, Millington, TN was overtaken with a ‘1,000-year’ flood.

 “I would say to everybody that if there is ever a year to give to Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, it's this year. We benefited so much from the NMCRS last year as evidenced from the flood. We received $80k in direct cash benefits and over a quarter of a million dollars for all of FY10,” urged NSA Mid-South’s Commanding Officer Capt. Douglas McGowen.

The Navy Base’s tenants and support services departments have committed to pulling off a hugely successful 5k mud run obstacle course, going so far as to create a website, www.midsouthmudrun.com, an active Facebook fan community, as well as produce a social media commercial which can be viewed here: www.youtube.com/midsouthmudrun.

The flood forced the evacuation of almost 350 families in base housing, and of those, 105 Sailors and their families lost absolutely everything.  The staff at NMCRS Millington rushed into action to set up an emergency financial aid station at the base’s N-82 gym complex. 

“First thing that I can remember after getting to the gym was my wife asking me “what are we going to do?” and then there was the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, who was there to help me, personally,” shared Personnel Specialist 2^nd Class (SW/AW) Joshua Sickles, who, along with his family was evacuated by boat during the flood.

The Mid-South Mud Run is, in a way, an ode to last year’s tragedy.  “We actually did the mud run somewhat in May [2010] with the flood, you had to move around the base through a lot of mud so it’s only fitting that we actually go down there and show our appreciation, especially for what the base did for us and actually be able to do a MUD RUN,” said Force Master Chief (SW/AW) Christopher Penton.

The event is open to military and civilian personnel, and takes place April 9^th, 2011 at NSA Mid-South’s Navy Lake Recreation Area.  Check-in starts at 7:00am, and light food and refreshments will be available.  The Navy’s rock band “Freedom” will be performing live, and there will also be post-race activities.  More information can be found at www.midsouthmudrun.com.

Photo Attachments Information:

Midsouthmudrun_banner.jpg – caption: none.  Credit: none.

Mudrunvideoshoot.jpg – caption: “Mass Communications 2^nd Class (SW/AW) Charles Newcomer setting up a ‘green-screen’ video shoot with Capt. Douglas McGowen.  Credit: Electronics Technician Chief (SS/DV) John Vallas, Navy Reserve, Navy Recruiting Command.