For both the 5K and 10K route, From the Start line, runners proceed onto the course via a dirt trail which they follow for approximately ¼ mile before encountering the first obstacle in the “front half” of the course, TARAWA LANDING. STRAWSER’S STAIRCASE, THE WASH BOARDS, KHE SANH, VIPER, SGT. HAWK'S WALL and THE RAZORBACK round off the “front half” of VOLKSLAUF only to prepare runners for DEVIL DOG’S DITCH; a ½ mile long, 4 ft. deep, 8 ft. wide twisting, turning, mud-filled trench specifically designed to test the motivation level of anybody gutsy enough to take on VOLKSLAUF.
From the exit of DEVIL DOG’S DITCH (half way mark for the 5K course) the runners will separate per chosen course, the 10K runners will proceed North on Quality Road and around the ponds for the only “Road Race” portion of the event which constitutes about 1.25 miles with one or two obstacles in your way, continuing into the “Back 40”. These obstacles that are placed in this portion include CHUCK’S WALL, the Crater, and the Horizontal logs. At this point, you are half way there (10K).
As runners head back into the South 40, they head back down towards Devil Dogs Ditch to negotiate our newest obstacles “THE MONKEY BARS”, the “SIDE STRADDLE HOP”, “JACKS ‘WEBB”, “MUTHER F’r’s”, “PHASE LINE CALIFORNIA” and the “A-FRAME CARGO NET”. They begin to realize that most of the truly challenging obstacles are yet to be encountered.
Runners from both the 5k and 10k courses merge here and begin the last mile of the VOLKSLAUF with “THE ARGONNE”, then MACK’S WALL, Mt. SURIBACHI, STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, HUE CITY, and other classic military style obstacles in one motivating stretch. The last half-mile of VOLKSLAUF is where even the truly motivated sometimes have to “reach down and grab some” as they attack PELELIU, TENARU RIVER CROSSING, THE WALL, the new and improved CHU LAI, JUAN-MO-TIME, TABLE TOP, CARLS SLIDE and finally, HAPPY VALLEY.....and then.....FINALLY, to the Finish Line.
Counting all the hurdles, slides, tunnels, pits, berms, ladders, swings, rope climbs and low crawls found on the course, there are well over 75 obstacles in all for the 10K course and 55 obstacles for the 5K course. Add to that several million gallons of water and mud on the course and you can easily see why this isn’t just any old mud run: this is VOLKSLAUF, The Ultimate Challenge!
Though this
Course Description suggests VOLKSLAUF is an event designed entirely for
those super-humans among us, be not dismayed. Yes, VOLKSLAUF is a
challenge, and was designed and built by Marines for runners participating
as a team. But…it is also designed to be accomplished by the individual
runner as well. In fact, the largest single runner category in the event is
the Individual category. So…even if the runner is a little apprehensive
about taking on VOLKSLAUF, remember, it can, and is each year, successfully
run by teams and individuals alike.
