1. The mob of more than 1,000 participants ascends the first hill shortly after the start. Notice they haven't encountered any mud yet.

2. Alan Heincker, 22, of Kirksville, MO, was the overall winner, traversing the sloppy five-mile course in 28:45.

3. Jennifer Goebel, 22, from Lombard, avoids a large puddle on the way to finishing first for the women in 36:52.

4. Kristopher Koster, 22, from Grand Rapids, MI, and Nicholas Johnson, 22, from New Lenox, IL, hug the side of the trail in search of solid footing on their way to finishing third and second overall, respectively.

5.Emily Farrell Thiel, 28, from Madison, WI, encounters muddy water that was knee deep on one part of the course. She finished in 38:42, good enough for second place among the women.

6. What's the point in wearing a shirt if it's just going to get all wet and muddy anyways?