The mud not only didn't stop the Dr.Noble Irwin Healthcare Foundation from raising money for charity, it was an essential factor in doing so.

The third-annual Fun Muddy Mayhem team obstacle course got off to a chilly start as the contestants ran, crawled, and fell through mud at Kinetic Park all for the benefit of the health region.

Dipping down to a low of one degree yesterday, the participants only had t-shirts to protect themselves against the elements, but no complaints were heard from competitors, just enthusiasm for raising money for the charity.

Jim Dekowney, a member of the Dr. Noble Irwin Foundation, said that the event was a great opportunity to enjoy the evening while also raising money for the foundation.

"All those guys that have come back year after year, they enjoy it, they like it, and they do it as kind of a team building activity for their group, and I think it's a good thing."

Around 60 the first day and 75 the second day came out to participate in the obstacle course.

The first day of the event featured mostly sports teams and family groups, but on the second day, most participants were teams made up of adults, who were treated to a barbecue and beer included in the price of registering their team.

The cost of registry for one team was $25 on Wednesday, but on Thursday the price of registry changed to $500.

The funds from the event are scheduled to be put towards the purchase of a portable x-ray machine for the Cypress Regional Hospital.

Dekowney said that sponsors of the event played a key role in making the course and drawing people out despite the weather.

"The guys from Wallace, the guys from Winmar, once again overdid themselves, they put together an amazing course, and (it was) a lot of fun, and it was something that I think everybody, even though mother nature didn't really co-operate because it was pretty chilly, we had a lot of fun."

This was the first year that the event was held at Kinetic Park, and Dekowney said that it was a great location especially because of all the obstacles present at the park, as well as assistance from the staff.