Indian Mud Run: A Challenge with Real Heart

Obstacle course racing isn't new; however, it has seemed to experience exponential growth since the mid-2000s. As a result, obstacle course racing has genuinely become the endurance-sports juggernaut of the last decade. Unfortunately, racing, like so many other activities, came to an abrupt halt with COVID-19 and is only now dusting itself off and returning to the racing scene.

This unique sport brings people together from all over, offering boot-camp-inspired challenges that test participants' physical limits. The Indian Mud Run (IMR) is one such challenge and an Ohio summer staple, celebrating its 10th year in Coshocton County. The complete course is 6.6 miles and features over 85 individual obstacles to conquer, both man-made and natural, including rolling hills, steep elevations, mud pits, canals, and natural rock formations. There's also a kid's course, a 5K short course, team competition, and Chief's Challenge, with participants having to complete three laps of the long course. 

IMR Founder, Hubie Cushman

Hubie Cushman, founder of IMR, said it was his dream to always have 100 obstacles for the 10th race. This year, he's projecting to have more than 100, including obstacles from other races. 

Signature obstacles include the epic and award-winning 'Floating Wall' obstacle. This unique and world-renowned obstacle features an upper section with an InCord fall net that allows spectators to walk directly underneath. At the same time, racers navigate high-hanging boards using hand holds. Elsewhere on the course, you can find even more InCord netting. One feature, aptly named the 'Net Crossing,' allows racers to climb a suspended net over a large ravine to reach the other. The 'Net Crawl' features netting laid over a vast mud pit under which racers must crawl.

IMR is a qualifying event for both the North American OCR Championships and the OCR World Championships, with the top 10 finishers able to advance to the championship races. IMR also offers unique trophies to their top finishers, including authentic, hand-crafted Native American tomahawks and spears. In addition, their medals are locally assembled. 

Enduring Warriors conquer the Floating Wall obstacle. Fellow racers stand on the InCord net below the panels, helping to guide him across. See the video below to watch these warriors in action.

IMR is a race with real heart that focuses on community engagement by recruiting volunteers to help prepare and mediate the course. After the dust has settled, IMR donates all proceeds to the local Coshocton County Park District. The race is also open to athletes of all abilities. This year the course will host 2 groups of adaptive athletes from Operation Enduring Warrior and More Heart Than Scars.

It's no wonder people come from all over the country to participate in this great challenge. It has become known to many in the racing circuit as a 'Bucket-List Race' and with good reason. The course is a true labor of love for Hubie Cushman, founder of IMR, and his team of volunteers. We are very grateful to Hubie for including InCord ropes and netting in his courses. All of us at InCord are happy to be involved with such an incredible organization.

A racer traverses the Net Crossing, created using InCord netting, which spans a large ravine.

IMR makes its comeback on June 25th, 2022! To learn more, check them out on Facebook and be sure to follow them on Instagram for the latest race photos and info.

Call or email sports netting expert Samantha Baudner directly to learn more about InCord custom obstacle course rope and net elements.