FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Aug. 14, 2026) -- More than 1,000 community members answered the “call to dirty” on Aug. 14, putting their laundry detergent to the test as they dived into the muck at Fort Drum’s annual Mountain Mudder.
Hosted by the Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, the grueling 5.5-mile course was a showcase of resiliency and esprit de corps. Competitors raced through 27 formidable obstacles, ranging from icy water plunges, towering rope climbs and sticky mud pits.
To be sure, running shoes were separated from feet, socks went from white to gray in an instant, and it even took a group effort to fish one competitor’s eyeglasses out of the mud.
But after completing the final obstacle – the warped wall – and receiving a medal and complimentary shower by power hose, most participants left with a profound sense of accomplishment.
“I feel unbelievable,” said Sgt. Kristen Kisner. “It was so nice to actually have this experience with some of my battle buddies.”
Kisner ran her first Mountain Mudder alongside fellow members of Company C, 548th Division Sustainment Support Battalion, 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade. For her, the most rewarding part was helping each other overcome the course’s physical demands to finish as a team.
“Just working together and making sure we were staying together,” she said. “Going over the walls was challenging, because some of us are really short, so we had to work as a team to actually accomplish those climbs.”
Kisner, who arrived at Fort Drum in the spring, is relatively new to the 10th Mountain Division (LI). She said her job has kept her busy and participating in the Mudder was a welcome break.
“This was absolutely amazing, and I’m glad that our leaders had the time to come out and support us,” she said. “Some of them did the challenge with us, so we loved that.”
The event was also a first for Spc. Tanner Sublett, with Multipurpose Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Mobile Brigade Combat Team. He ran the course with his platoon and said the final warped wall was the day’s toughest test.
“But it was really a lot of fun, and I just like challenging myself,” he said. “You know, seeing something that looks tough and then going out and doing it just to prove to myself that I can.”
One of his teammates, Pfc. Nathan Simmons, recently returned from supporting cadet training at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He said it was the challenge that drew him to the Mountain Mudder.
“Honestly, I heard this was going to be tough – getting through 27 obstacles on a 5-mile course – but this was something I really wanted to do,” Simmons said. “The hardest part for me was getting out of the water and running to the next obstacle – that transition when your body is weighed down from all the water. But we got through it.”
The event garnered more than 930 pre-registrations and another 100 registered that morning. Becky Morgia, Fort Drum FMWR Business and Community Recreation Division chief, credited that to a robust marketing campaign across the installation, coupled with strong support from the garrison and division command teams.
“We tried to let people know what kind of fun they’re going to have at this event,” she said. “I think the after party helps too, and then we have an after-after party at the Ridge tonight. We just keep trying to keep everyone engaged and active in the community.”
The event inside the Ridge Sports Bar included live music and Mudder-themed treats and drinks, such as Mudslides and Lava Cakes.
Community members can visit [https://drum.armymwr.com/calendar](https://drum.armymwr.com/calendar) to keep track of upcoming events and download the My Army Post App (MAPA) to stay current on all Fort Drum programs and activities.
| Date Taken: |
08.14.2026 |
| Date Posted: |
08.14.2026 15:14 |
| Story ID: |
572455 |
| Location: |
FORT DRUM, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: |
129 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Resilience, teamwork on display at Fort Drum’s Mountain Mudder, by Michael Strasser, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
