Callaway prepares for Tough Mudder race

Muddy obstacle race to bring thousands to northeast Callaway

The Tough Mudder race, an endurance obstacle course that holds events throughout the world, will be in Shamrock in Callaway County on Saturday and Sunday.

The event is expected to bring in more than 8,000 competitors wishing to test their physical prowess through a series of rigorous, muddy obstacles in a 10-12 mile course.

Check-in is 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and 10-10:45 .m. Sunday. Runners are released in 20-minute waves 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday or 10-11 a.m. Sunday.

The Callaway County Sheriff's Office, Callaway County Ambulance District and Missouri State Highway Patrol have all been coordinating logistics with event organizers on traffic and public safety. CCSO Sgt. Clay Chism said incoming traffic was encouraged to travel from the west through State Route B, while outgoing traffic would be ushered eastbound on B through Highway 19 in Montgomery County.

"The roadways in that area are all two-lane, with lots of curves, lots of hills and bad intersections," Chism said. "Preferably, we're trying to bring them in from the west and send them out east so we're not fighting incoming and outgoing traffic from both ends."

Chism advised local motorists to use caution and that State Routes A and B and county roads in the Shamrock area would be most congested.

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.