Michael Lindhorst, a sophomore, thrower for the Bluffton University Track Team has a hobby unlike others. He likes to compete in the Black Swamp Dash every year.
Michael Lindhorst. Photo by Patrick Spillman.
The Black Swamp Dash is a 5K Obstacle/Mud Run that takes place at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds in Oak Harbor, Ohio. The race consists of 26 obstacles each runner must complete in order to finish the dash.
If a competitor is unable to complete an obstacle, a worker will take the band they are given at the start of the race and allow the competitors to attempt the rest of the obstacles on the course, but their time will not count.
Lindhorst first became interested in the Black Swamp Dash after learning about it from a high school classmate whose parents own the field and run the course.
“My dad and I decided to give it a try and see if it would be something that we would be interested in,” said Lindhorst. “We just did it for fun, and we were actually one of the last ones to finish in that race.”
Lindhorst enjoyed the dash with his father and decided to start doing it with some friends just for fun.
In 2016, he first decided to compete in the competition by himself. The race is split up into different divisions and Lindhorst has been competing in the 18 to 24 age division.
Michael Lindhorst attempting to complete one of the obstacles during the Black Swamp Dash. Photo courtesy of Laurie Lindhorst.
“The first time I competed, in 2016, my time was an hour and 48 minutes,” said Lindhorst. “My most recent time was an hour and 18 minutes.”
Lindhorst has qualified for the Obstacle Course Racing World Championships the last couple of years in his division, but has not gone because it occurs during the school year and is out of the country.
Lindhorst said he hopes to continue to compete in the Black Swamp Dash and would eventually like to compete in the OCRWC.
“I do want to try different races, it just doesn’t really fit the college schedule right now,” said Lindhorst. “At the Black Swamp Dash there will be other vendors there trying to sport their races so I would like to go try out a few of those.”
The events this past summer were canceled due to COVID-19, but Lindhorst is excited for the opportunity to continue to compete in future Black Swamp Dash races.
The next Black Swamp Dash is scheduled for June 21, 2021, and Lindhorst plans to compete.
