Sudbury women 'run a muck' for a good cause

About 500 women got down and dirty -- literally -- in Sudbury on Saturday, as the annual cancer research fundraiser took place on a glorious late summer day at the Adanac Ski Hill.

Renamed Mudmoiselle (the old name was Dirty Divas), teams of about five raised money over the last several months ahead of the event, with an eye of raising $125,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Organizer Shanna Crispo, community fundraising specialist with the society, said the money will be spent on the most promising research being done in the battle against cancer.

"It goes wherever it's needed the most, because we benefit from research that done in Vancouver or research that's done in Sudbury," Crispo said. "Teams collect pledges as individuals, and as a team. And the money goes to (research), as well as support services that help those living with cancer, as well as their families."

While they were still counting pledges Saturday afternoon, she said they're optimistic they'll reach the fundraising goal.

"The nice thing about this event is that people bring money to the event the day of. We're still counting, so we won't have a final total yet."

Crispo said the event is non-competitive, but is still a challenge There were 16 obstacles on the course this year, and teams had to climb Adanac hill as they made their way across the five-kilometre course.

“It's not timed, so you can walk the course, you can crawl the course, you can run, you can jog -- you can do whatever you want,” she said. “Stop and take selfies if you want!"

What makes Mudmoiselle unique is the fact only women take part, making it a bonding event, as well as a way to raise funds for an important cause.

"I think the ladies want this opportunity,” Crispo said. "All the teams stick together and encourage each other throughout the course. It's just a very empowering day.

“That's where we're kind of a little bit different from some other runs. That's who we're encouraging -- grab your girlfriends, grab your friends, come out and just have a great day with girlfriends. Leave your kids, your husbands and your boyfriends behind and just enjoy the fun of it."

After a long day of running the course – the last heat began at 2:30 p.m. – she said participants get to mark their achievement with a little celebration at the hill.

Sudbury is one of six cities in Ontario holding the Mudmoiselle event, joining Timmins, Peterborough, Collingwood, Kingston and Halton. Go to mudmoiselle.ca for more information.