CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Marine Corps Community Services’ 2013 Grand Prix Series is kicking off the new year with its second race debuting a brand-new five-mile trail course in Courthouse Bay aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in March.
MCCS’ Grand Prix Series has held events since the 1990s, hosting various races aboard the installations in the area. This is the second time Courthouse Bay is planned as a race location.
Dennis Yeddo, a fitness facilities manager with MCCS’ Semper Fit, said the Saint Paddy’s Day Engineer Challenge is comparable to a Tough Mudder event, but it isn’t the main focus of the race.
“The course is five miles long and will include a small portion of the road,” he said. “It will include some trail runs and a good portion will be in the woods. There should be some mud and probably some obstacles as well.”
The Grand Prix Series schedules different types of races throughout the year to gauge interest from various runners. They have everything from half-marathons to more obstacle-centered events to draw as many participants as possible.
“This will be something different than just a regular road race,” said Yeddo. “I’m excited for this event, and I think it poses a unique challenge for the participating athletes.”
Last year’s Courthouse Bay event was a four-mile all-terrain run, but due to construction, the same course is unavailable. However, Semper Fit was able to work Courthouse Bay to keep an event there for the 2013 Grand Prix.
Yeddo said the leadership in Courthouse Bay was extraordinarily helpful in keeping the event out there. Semper Fit is excited to include another portion of MCB Camp Lejeune, and show what it has to offer.
“Courthouse Bay’s (leadership) is extremely cooperative and supportive in wanting to be a part of the Grand Prix Series,” he said. “Having an event in different areas of the base gives active duty personnel and other patrons an opportunity to see the whole base and get more of (the installation) involved. Our event in February is located at Camp Devil Dog, which gives unfamiliar patrons an idea of the area where Marines are trained after (recruit training). Now they get to see where the engineers go to school with this event in Courthouse Bay.”
The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. March 16 in Courthouse Bay. Registration for the event will cost $25 until noon Feb. 15, when the price will be raised to $30 until March 1. Registration after March 1 will cost $35, including race day registration from 6-7:30 a.m. the morning of the event.
“This course will be another great event to get the runners off the road and into the trails and mud, along with some obstacles and other challenges,” said Yeddo. “It was not only test their running ability, but their stamina and endurance in a fun way.”
MCCS invites anyone who is up for a challenge to come out and run the brand-new course.
“Participants can expect to get dirty and have a lot of fun doing it,” said Yeddo.
For more information on the event call 451-1342 or visit mccslejeune.com/grandprix.