Obstacle run will raise money for Washington County trails

JET Physical Therapy is looking to promote physical activity while raising money for Washington County Conservation trails.

JET is planning its ninth annual Movement Mayhem obstacle run, scheduled for Aug. 21 at Marr Park in Ainsworth.

Matt Flotterud, an athletic trainer with JET, said that money raised this year will help fund the enhancement of the Kewash Trail and creation the North Trail Loop in the new Southtown area of Kalona.

“The last eight years, we sponsored the Washington Wellness Park by the YMCA,” Flotterud said. “That project is finished up, so we had to find a new recipient for the funds. We thought about what things get people out and moving and help with healthier lifestyles.

“Donating money to the trail system would not only benefit residents of Washington but also residents of all Washington County.”

Over the past eight years, the annual event has raised $10,500 for the Washington Wellness Park.

The event has traditionally been a fall event.

“It was originally in October to help celebrate National Physical Therapy Month, but we moved it to August for better weather,” Flotterud said. “We’re hoping to add a couple more water features because we moved the event from October to August.”

The course plans have not been finalized, but Flotterud said that the plan is to highlight the water features at Marr Park.

There will be barriers to jump over and climb over, as well as a rope swing and army crawl.

“We’re looking to add a couple new obstacles,” Flotterud said. “We will still have the waterslide at the end.

“We want to make it not too difficult so anyone can do it but still have enough of an obstacle where people can’t just run through it.”

Organizers are hoping for increase participation in this year’s event.

“In past years, we had about 80 to 90 participants,” Flotterud said. “We’re really hoping to get from 120 to 150 participants this year.

“We want it to be open to everyone who wants to participate.”

Participants are broken down into eight different male and female age groups: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-18, 19-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, and 60 and over.

“We have door prizes, random prizes and prizes for whoever finishes in the fastest time in each category,” Flotterud said.

Awards for the race are given to the overall male and female winner as well as winners of each age group for male and female.

All participants in the event are placed in a drawing to win a one-year free membership to the YMCA, a free pair of shoes from Brown’s Shoe Store in Washington, a gel cold/hot pack and JET clothing apparel.

Early bird registration through Wednesday, July 28, is $20 per person or $15 per person for a family of four or more.

After July 28, registration is $25 per person or $20 per person for a family of four or more.

People can register online at getmeregistered.com/movementmayhem or stop in at JET Physical Therapy in Washington or Wellman.

The race starts at 9 a.m. Anyone registering on the day of the race must arrive by 8 a.m.

The El Gringo Loco food truck will be serving breakfast burritos after the race, and Cheryl’s Ice Cream food truck will be serving homemade ice cream.