Meet your makers, John Macready and John Roethlisberger. What they lack in good looks and charisma, they more than make up for in stupidity. Teammates on the 1996 Olympic gymnastics team, John and John are two guys who don't accept anything ordinary. They have taken their combination of Olympic dedication, creativity and desire to never have a day go by that isn't filled with something memorable, to create not just a mud run, but an experience. Mudsanity.
John Macready, nicknamed "half-dome" in honor of his extremely large forehead, was the youngest member of the 1996 Olympic Gymnastics Team. Originally from Santa Monica, California, John immigrated to Tennessee to find a southern belle and expand his burgeoning moonshine business. Well one out of two ain't bad. He found a wife but quickly realized his expertise wasn't in running the Tennessee mountain dew--it was in entertaining and motivating young gymnasts. After a short stint as a star on America's Most Wanted, John started Flip Fest, the greatest gymnastics camp in the country that is owned by two Olympians (actually the only gymnastics camp in the country owned by two Olympians), and the rest is history.
John Roethlisberger, originally from the Canadian part of Minnesota, grew up idolizing Fran Tarkington, Kevin McHale, and weather that got above zero degrees. John attended the University of Minnesota where he became a Golden Gopher. Tragically he was asked to leave after the Gopher costume caught on fire in front of a group of Girl Scouts during an ill-conceived promotional event involving a row of buses, a scooter, and a case of Jack Daniels. John decided at a young age that he would strive to be mediocre at everything he did. Unfortunately, he became incredibly good at being average, which flew in the face of everything he believed. After making 3 Olympic teams and establishing himself as one of the dominant 5th-place finishers in history, he decided to set his sights even lower. So he became business partners with John Macready.
The 5-mile course, located on Lake Frances, dives right into the woods, and doesn’t come out unless you’re knee-deep in mud or hurling yourself at high speeds towards the lake. Not only will there be over 15 creative, challenging, “holy cow what are you doing to me” obstacles, the property itself is its own obstacle. The trail artfully cuts through the Lake Frances forest, traversing small creeks, down valleys, over hills, and through the “give me my damn shoe back” mud! Imagine 150 acres of beautifully wooded, rolling hills calling your name and making you beg for mercy.
Mudsanity is one of the few mud runs that has a permanent home, which gives the makers the freedom to create an outstanding course with unique obstacles built into the terrain. Mountains of hay bails, quad-burning hills and vertical climbs will require some teamwork, perseverance and maybe a little stupidity to make it through. Our “DJ corners” will keep the beat pumpin’ throughout the course and add a little extra inspiration for those who need it. Every step will be different and every jump a surprise, but nothing will be ordinary. Be ready for anything and make sure your affairs are in order!
Each summer, Lake Frances plays host to Flip Fest Gymnastics Camp and over 2,000 gymnasts from around the country, as well as a “who’s who” of Olympic gymnasts including Olympic Champions Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson, Carly Patterson and Paul Hamm. After bringing the gymnastics camp business to a new level, John and John decided Lake Frances was too cool to only host gymnasts. They needed to bring a new adventure to the people. Thus Mudsanity was born. Without a doubt, this will be a memorable weekend that you don’t want to miss. Like watching your best friend run through a pack of dogs while wearing bologna flavored boxers, you can’t watch but you can’t tear your eyes away either. October 12th, 2013, will be an epic day that the world of mud runners will never forget. Mudsanity is an experience that, like the Olympics, is unforgettable. Don’t miss it, and bring bail money!
The run is only part of the reason to come to Mudsanity. When finished, they will be surrounded by the ultimate Octoberfest throwdown, Tennessee style. Live music, food, and refreshments will be provided well into the evening. Beer gardens, brats, burgers and anything you can catch on the course will be cooking on the grill and our favorite band will be playing on stage. As the sun goes down, bonfires will be lit, the fall colors will be popping, and the legend of how you took down Mudsanity will be growing.
Weather permitting, the lake will be open for swimming and canoeing, as well as the Lake Frances high ropes course and giant swing, free of charge to all participants. Find a teammate and enter our October Madness cornhole tournament to play for great prizes and the honor of being the Mudsanity champions.
Facilities will be available to get cleaned up from the race and make yourselves comfortable for the evening. If you don’t want to leave Lake Frances ‘til the sun comes up Sunday morning, cabin space is available for those dedicated weekend warriors. Space is limited so make reservations early.
Where can you stay? Lake Frances is a unique location that offers 250 bed spaces for those who want to make the event a weekend retreat. Cabins provide bunk bed-style sleeping areas and are heated and air-conditioned with their own bathrooms and showers. For only $25/night, stay right at the race and party site and enjoy a comfortable weekend at Lake Frances. The price also includes free breakfast Sunday morning. If you prefer a hotel, there are many local hotels within 7 miles of the race site.
Hotels Nearby
Mention Mudsanity and get special rates for the weekend.
