Enjoy the beauty of one of America’s oldest settlements….through a layer of mud. Just like the Daubers that built the mud houses in the Citie of Henricus, you will have a chance to relive your childhood with plenty of messy mud on hand at the Henricus Dauber Dash. The 5-mile course starts in the Citie and goes around the trail loop at Dutch Gap, but this isn’t your typical trail run. Think much, much messier. We guarantee you will get wet and dirty as you climb, crawl and weave through multiple obstacles along the way. And just when you think you can’t get any dirtier, you’ll come face-to-face with the final mud pit at the finish overlooking the scenic James River. The Henricus Dauber Dash, the best of nature, history and fun…all rolled in mud. This is not a race for walkers!
What:
Henricus Dauber Dash 5-miler (9 a.m. start)
Mud Guppies (1 Miler) for ages 8-14 (11 a.m. start)
Please note these are untimed races.
When:
Saturday, August 7, 9:00 a.m.*
*Runners will be started in 6 waves of up to 250, based on each participant's estimated finish time. The wave breakdowns will be determined once registration is closed. There is an event limit of 1,500 participants.
All participants must check in prior to race, beginning at 7 a.m.
Where:
Race starts and finishes at Henricus Historical Park. The main course follows the trails around Dutch Gap.
Directions:
From I-95 North or South: take Exit 61A
Follow Route 10 (Ironbridge Road) to first stoplight
Turn at left at first stoplight onto Route 732 (Old Stage Road) approx. 2 miles
Turn right at first stop sign onto Route 615 (Coxendale Road) approx. 1 mile
Turn right onto Henricus Park Road and follow for 1.3 miles
Arrive at Henricus Historical Park!
Parking: A limited number of parking spaces are available within walking distance to the site. These spaces will be available on a first come, first served basis. Additional parking is available off-site. Traffic will be directed to these off-site lots, as needed, and shuttles will transport participants, spectators and volunteers from these lots to the event site. Allow 30 minutes for getting from the off-site parking lots to the event site. Please note that shuttles will begin service at 7:00am and the last shuttle will leave Henricus Historical Park for the off-site parking lots at noon.
Mud Guppies:
Kids Run a shorter course of their own with obstacles and will finish crawling through the same mud pit as the adults. This Mud Guppies event introduces the fun of Henricus to kids and their families. The Mud Guppies race begins at 11 a.m.
Who:
Hosted by Chesterfield County Parks & Recreation and the Sports Backers – A benefit for the Henricus Foundation.
Cost:
Entry Fees and Registration
Dauber Dash
Mud Guppies
Through July 15
$25
$10
July 16 - August 5
$30
$10
Walk up registration
$35
$15
On-line registration closes at 11:59 p.m. on August 5th.
Bag check will be offered. Please leave all of your jewelry at home or in your car (out of sight) so you don't lose it in the mud pit.
Prizes:
Awarded to top three overall male and female finishers of the Dauber Dash. Please note that this is an untimed event.
Awards for "Best Mud" and "Best Costume" will also be handed out to Dauber Dash participants.
Tips & Safety:
Wear your grungy clothes and old sneakers, because more than likely they won't be going home with you
There will be a rinse off area for participants
Bring a big trash bag, dry clothes and a towel
Leave your jewelry at home
Drink fluids before, during, and after your race
Do not dive head first into the mud pit
This is a fun run so help your neighbor if he or she needs help
There will be medical staff along the course and finish line
We are not responsible for your personal gear
Event Charity:
The Henricus Foundation is the official charity of the Henricus Dauber Dash. The Henricus Foundation is re-creating the second successful English settlement in the New World. Visit Henricus Historical Park and relive America's beginnings. Historical interpretation and reenactments pay tribute to Virginia's Indians and the English settlers who carved a nation out of what was then Virginia's western frontier.
When you register, please consider making a donation to the
Henricus Foundation to provide funding for the maintenance and
educational programs at Henricus Historical Park.
Hotel Info:
TBA
Race Photos
Brightroom Photography will be on-site for the race and photographing all event participants. Visit their website the week after the event to look for your photo.
The Henricus Dauber Dash is a 5-mile mud run through Dutch Gap Conservation Area and the Citie of Henricus. Runners will start out on the bluff overlooking the James River at Henricus and proceed to Dutch Gap. The 4 ½ mile Dutch Gap trail will send you through scenic and historic views as you navigate over the Wattle Walls and get down and dirty at the The Vulture Scuttle and Graveyard Crawl. As you are really building up a sweat you truly get to experience the tidal Lagoon as you take a dip in the water for the Lagoon Lap. A climb up Henricus Hill, a muddy romp through the Cypress Point Sink Hole and another trip over the Wattle Walls signal your arrival at Henricus. As you run by historic buildings and period dressed interpreters, say hello to Buttercup the pig, as he will be jealous because you are about to enter BUTTERCUP’S MUD PIT!!! Then you’ll daub your way to the finish.
List of Obstacles
Wall of hay bales: The Wattle Wall
Army Crawl: TheVulture Scuttle
Army Crawl: Graveyard Crawl
Run through lagoon: The Lagoon Lap
Hill Climb: Henricus Hill
Muck through the channel: Cypress Point Sink Hole
Wall of hay bales: The Wattle Wall
Mud Pit: Buttercup’s Mud Pit
To see the course as a full-screen graphic, click here.
To download and print out a PDF of the course, click here.
