By Matt Decker
Leisure/Sports editor
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Whether you enter as an individual or a team, the Marine Corps Detachment’s Volkslauf is guaranteed to provide plenty of challenges for runners of all skill levels.

The 13th version of what is billed as an “extreme cross country” race is scheduled June 16.

“It’s a 10k, which is a 6.2-mile run, with various terrain — mostly just as Mother Nature left it,” said Marine Capt. Jose Guevara, Volkslauf event coordinator.

The race starts on South Demolition Road, just past the intersection of Nebraska Avenue, with runners immediately taking on the infamous “Car Wash Hill.” Participants then go off-road, up and down steep hills, through the woods and over not one but two rivers.

“We have two river crossings and a mud pit along the way just for some fun,” Guevara said. “It all ends up at Happy Hollow, where we’ll have some festivities and an awards presentation.”

Gunnery Sgt. Victor Mungle, a co-coordinator for the race, described the route as “demanding.”

“You will definitely feel it the next day, but everyone who participates has a great time, and it just gets bigger and better every year,” Mungle said.

To say the Volkslauf is a popular event would be an understatement. The race routinely exceeds its own participation goals, with last year’s 1,400-plus registrations shattering the 1,000-runner goal organizers set for themselves.

“It just keeps increasing in popularity, and we get more and more runners,” Guevara said. “Last year we had over 1,400 registrations — obviously, we would like to top that off this year. The more the merrier.”

Part of the run’s continued success has been the level of detail in planning and coordination of the event.

 

“We use between 60 and 80 volunteers,” Mungle said. “The work starts in April and doesn’t end until after the race. Coordination is key.”

Awards will be presented to the fastest individual runner, and the top three male and female runners in three age categories. First, second and third place awards will also be presented to male, female and mixed teams in military uniform, non-military uniform and youth categories.

In the past, many non-uniform teams run the course in costume, and participants are encouraged to give their imaginations a workout, as well.

“The only limit is that the costumes can’t be revealing, as this is a family event,” Mungle said.

Potential runners can pre-register now through June 13. Advance fees are $25 per individual, $100 per five-person team, or $75 for youth teams of runners up to age 17 with a team captain 18 or older. 

Participants can also register the day of the run, but they’ll pay more for the privilege: Rates rise to $30 for individuals, $125 per team and $90 for youth teams.

“We’ll still take registrations even on the day of the run — a lot of people will sign up there,” Guevara said.

Participants can pre-register at the Marine Corps Det. S-4 headquarters, Bldg. 689 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information, call 596.8165 or visit www.flwvolkslauf.com.