The Battlegrounds, St. Louis’ largest permanent mud run obstacle course,is fulfilling local dreams (two area charities directly benefit), drawing nationwide audiences (runners from 29 different states participated in the last race), and securing international attention (recently deemed an official qualifying venue for the industry’s worldwide organization.) The Battlegrounds, St. Louis’ largest permanent mud run obstacle course,will hold its seventh bi-annual race on Sat., Oct. 3 beginning at 8 a.m.Runners can select to destroy either a 5k or five-mile mud run where they will experience the demands of more than 30 military-themed obstacles for those who want to test their physical and mental abilities. The Battlegrounds is located at 11008 Schreckengast Rd. in Wright City, Mo. next to Cedar Lake Cellars winery and event venue. The Battlegrounds was recently named a qualifying event venue for the Obstacle Course Racing World Championships (OCRWC), so runners can participate in their upcoming international race by finishing in The Battlegrounds’ top 25 for their gender in either 5k or five-mile distance. The Battlegrounds race is the last opportunity to qualify before the October 17 and 18 world championships held in Ohio. Unlike its competition, The Battlegrounds features plenty of freebies including free spectator admission so guests can watch their loved ones from many course vantage points. Free parking, free gear check and a free kids’ mud zone area for children 12 and under are available, as well as the unusual amenity of on-site showers for mud run participants.Post-event activities include individual and group award presentations, a festival area with food and drinks, and walkable access to the adjacent Cedar Lake Cellars winery. The run’s obstacles, which vary each year to ensure new challenges, include the signature Torpedo Launcher, a 100-foot water slide that empties into a 12-foot deep water pit. Other highlights include The Gauntlet, which is six lanes of varying difficulties situated over an eight-foot deep water pit. The Battlegrounds incorporates all types of terrains including creeks, woods, fields and valleys that add to the intense level of competition. Proceeds from the mud run will benefit The Mission Continues, a nationalnon-profit organization based in St. Louis that deploys military veterans into community service leadership roles at home. Its fellowshipprogram involves post-911 veterans serving 20 hours a week for six months at a non-profit of their choice while completing a professional development curriculum. Its service platoon program has teams of veterans of all generations working alongside active duty, guard/reservists and non-veterans in communities to find solutions and make an impact on local challenges. For more information, visit www.missioncontinues.org. The Battlegrounds will hold a canned food drive at the race to benefit Operation Food Search, which was established in 1981 to address the growing problem of hunger in the St. Louis area. As the largest distributor of free food in the bi-state area, the organization distributes 2.75 million pounds of food and household essentials to nearly 300 community partner agencies. For more information, visit www.operationfoodsearch.org. The Battlegrounds will work with Funds2Orgs.com to collect and donate racer’s shoes to those in developing nations with proceeds benefitting The Mission Continues. The Battlegrounds will host an exclusive wave designated for elite runners to race others with similar abilities. The 8 a.m. wave is limited to the first 250 runners, including both individual and four-person teams, who can maintain an 8 minute 30-second mile pace. Awards are available for elite run individuals, as well as teams of fourthat can be comprised of men, women or a combination of both. All participants must be 18 years of age or older. The race costs $110 before July 31; $120 before Sept. 18; $140 before Sept. 30 and; $160 before Oct. 3. Groups of five or more are highly encouraged to register, and VIP upgrade options are available to all. For more information, call (314) 569-3005 ext.114 or visit the website at www.thebattlegrounds.com.