Photography by Mike Czeschin, courtesy of The battlegrounds at Cedar Lake
Touring mud runs, like the Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder, set up temporary obstacles in a cornfield for a weekend, then move on to the next city. The Battlegrounds at Cedar Lake (950 State Highway OO, Wright City, 314-569-3005, thebattlegrounds.com) is the area’s first permanent mud-run course, which owner Carl Bolm says allows for an experience that’s “much more grand.” Built on 170 acres, the course covers more than 30 obstacles in 5 miles. The next race is set for October 4. In the Torpedo Launcher, competitors climb a rock wall, then shoot down a 100-foot slide. In the Gauntlet, runners navigate obstacles while suspended above a pool of water, like on American Ninja Warrior. And after getting dirty, visitors can shower, then spend the afternoon at Cedar Lake Cellars, Bolm’s adjacent winery.
