Students shine like Diamonds in the Dirt

Those involved in the Diamonds in the Dirt Mudrun pose for a group photo after the run. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
Those involved in the Diamonds in the Dirt Mudrun pose for a group photo after the run. Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki
Those involved in the Diamonds in the Dirt Mudrun pose for a group photo after the run.
Photo Credit / Ronald Hanaki

By Ronald Hanaki

SC Staff Writer 

On Sunday afternoon, April 6, Lambda Iota’s Diamonds in the Dirt Mudrun took place at Stony Acres.

This was a charity obstacle event organized by the Lambda Iota sisters.

The event was limited to 60 participants. For students, the admission was $15. For faculty, staff, and alumni, the cost was $20.

All told, 27 people registered and participated in the event with the proceeds being donated to breast cancer research.

Many of the participants were ESU students, and most of them wore some form of pink-colored clothing.

There was also a father-daughter duo attempting the course together.

Lambda Iota’s Katlyn Valenti was the primary organizer behind the event, and she was ably assisted by Madeline Constantine, coordinator of Stony Acres.

“The goal was to raise money for breast cancer research. This was an event to get students on campus active and do something fun and different,” said Valenti.

The Mudrun will benefit local cancer patients. “All money will be donated to the Cancer Center at Pocono Medical Center for breast cancer research,” said Valenti.

Many Lambda Iota sisters were manning the stations, and some even participated in the Sunday afternoon mud run.

The obstacle trail run was about 1.5 to 2 miles long and consisted of the following 10 events: log press, hilltop memorization, slippery slope, tire flip, mud pit, quick feet, palette maze, fitness, mud crawl, and sack race.

The sack-hopping obstacle was a brand new event to Stony Acres.

Participants would have to do two laps around the course. The event was limited to about an hour.

The woman with the best time and the man with the best time both received a prize package. The goody bag included a pink water bottle, headphones, breast cancer ribbon shoelaces, and the pride of finishing first.

There was a tie for first place. Devon Huggard and Chris Rahs both finished the obstacle trail run in a blazing 46 minutes and 45 seconds. The third place finisher was Irene Allen with a time of 47 minutes and 7 seconds.

The last person finished in a time of 1 hour, 1 minute, and 47 seconds.

A group picture of all the participants was taken at the end.

Email Ronald at:

rhanaki@live.esu.edu