Pepperdine students and Malibu locals channeled their inner-Rambo last Saturday while competing in the Malibu Canyon Dirt Dash sponsored by the Salvation Army.
Scaling rock walls and crawling through mud pits were only a few of the obstacles participants faced as they ran to raise money for Camp Mt. Craigs and Camp Gilmore, two organizations that provide a fun learning environment for inner-city kids.
“These two summer camps offer youngsters recreational and educational activities in a safe and enriching environment. For these kids, it is one week without worrying where their family is going to sleep or if there will be enough food to eat,” reads the Southern California Salvation Army’s website.
According to the Salvation Army website, the cost to attend one of these camps is about $300 per child, a price many families are unable to pay.
“This event is a massive contributor in getting these kids to camp,” said Mark Logan, Salvation Army Camp director. “These kids come from nothing and get to experience the wonderful creation around them at our camps.”
Pepperdine clubs and other on-campus organizations participated in the mud run. Junior Katie Kern took first place in the women’s 5K trail run ages 20-24. Kern serves as a Resident Advisor with Hayes Residence Hall.
“Winning the trail run was great. It’s always enjoyable to win a race, but it was even more special to me this time around because I got to celebrate with my residents,” said Kern.
Besides reliving childhood dreams of rolling in massive mud pits, participants recognized the charitable quality to the Dirt Dash.
“For me, going to camp was huge part of my childhood,” freshman Joy Brown said. “I grew as a person by going to summer camp because I met some of my greatest mentors there. I want these kids to have an equally amazing experience as I had going to camp.”
Brown competed in the 5K mud run with Hayes Residence Hall as well.
This last summer, Camp Mt. Craigs and Camp Gilmore operated at 80 percent capacity.
The Malibu Canyon Dirt Dash offered various events to the Malibu community. Participants competed in the 5K or 10K trail run, the 5K or 10K mud run or the 5K or 10K fitness walk.
This year 51 Pepperdine students took to the Malibu Canyon event as competitors in the Dirt Dash, while 62 Pepperdine students assisted in the set up of the rugged obstacle course on Step Forward Day.
