Canadian Mudd Queens: Dead End Mont Habitant 2014 Race Review

This weekend a handful of Mudd Queens checked out the Dead End Race at Mont Habitant in Saint-Sauveur, Qc. The weather was cool with strong winds but the sun was shining and the sky (and only the sky) was dry.

Arriving on site at about 9:30am parking was quick and easy. Cost was $10 per car and you were ON SITE. No real trek required. Registration was easy to find and the lines were not long but they did move relatively slowly compared to some of the more well-oiled machines I have seen. Kits were sorted by wave time and included a timing chip and cable ties to attach, a bib and 4 pins and a few flyers for partner companies.

Our kits were not in the right time slot but it was great to see that they were quick and eager to get things sorted out. We each received a cotton tee (available in mens and womens sizes). Its did seem that some registration types (discounted/groupons) did not automatically include a shirt but were an affordable add on option.

After registration we reluctantly removed our warm and fuzzy clothing and geared up. There were indoor bathrooms and some open spaces if you needed to warm up. We could hear the announcer giving 15, 10, 5 minute warnings for each heat and at 10:25 made our way into the “cage”. With 2 minutes remaining the gates were closed and you were locked in.

The energy at the start line was AWESOME! The heats seemed to be about 100- 150 people. The music built good tension, the (bilingual) announcer had everyone super pumped and then you heard the countdown over the loud speakers. 5..4..3..2..1….

We set out on what was advertised to be a 6k course with 40 obstacles and (I quote) “No deep freezing water”. The obstacles were well-spaced and they made really good use of the terrain. Trails were at times VERY technical and warranted the fact that they were counted as obstacles. One spot was so steep you literally crawled up on all fours and then slid down on your butt (intentionally or otherwise). Lots of familiar obstacles; over under walls, a horizontal cargonet, fire jump, slip ramp, tire flip, etc., TONS of high walls and a KICKA$$ waterslide!

Some unique obstacles included a huge slosh pipe which you carried up and down part of the course, a field of huge tires stacked for climbing over, through etc, a warped wall, a series of rafts that you ran across, and what many thought were conveniently placed portapotties about 5k into the course. You opened the door to see no toilet and no bottom, only chest deep water, which you then climbed into, crossed over, dunked under a beam and then climbed up out through another portapotty. Also of note was the water slide, which in the cold we were dreading but quite enjoyed. It was a well-constructed slide (not a tarp on the side of a mountain) and ended as it leveled out as opposed to in a deep pool of water.

SURPRISE!!!

Of note, there were a few obstacles that could have been more thoughtful designed/constructed. One obstacle had racers crawling under a platform, then popping up at the end in a 12” opening to then scale a 6’ wall, meanwhile, crossing OVER the same platform in the other direction were participants climbing over (and subsequently jumping down from) a 6’ wall. When we arrived the tunnel was packed full of bodies bottle necked waiting for others at the end to figure out 1) what they were supposed to do and 2) how to do it in such closed quarters. This left about 10 racers jammed under the platform while overhead racers slammed down onto it causing it to bow and bend notably each time. We actually backed out of the tunnel and suggested others not enter until the path was clear.

The only other concerns we had were the far drops from many many high walls. I often found myself on top of a wall looking down thinking, not sure I would have climbed up had I seen this drop first, and following the second traverse wall you were to descend a very slippery ramp, which I think inadvertently, had a deep hole hidden just under one side. Penalties were pushups and ranged from 10-20 depending on obstacles. Other Mudd Queens reported some line-ups at obstacles in later heats but we didn’t have any issues early on.

The course was very clearly marked with all trails unmistakably marked by full yellow tape on either side of the trail. Water stations were ample (6) and well supplied/staffed when we arrived and volunteers were all very helpful though more could have been used, but this is not at the fault of the organizers (get out there and volunteer folks!!).

Upon finishing what we are now told was just over 7k we received a nice medal and quickly made our way to warmth so we did not experience much of the “festival grounds” but did note a BBQ on site and good music and lots of good viewing spots indoors and out.