OROVILLE — For 9-year-old Dakota Richardson, the hardest part of the Lord’s Gym Kids Mud Run was the net climbing, while the best part was the ice bath near the end.
Saturday marked his third year participating. His advice to first-time participants is “to have fun.”
Jimmy James, Richardson’s great-grandpa, said, “If you want to have fun with your kids, this is the place to be.”
Jaxon Gibson slides down a water slide at the Lord’s Gym Kids Mud Run in Oroville, California on Saturday June 1, 2024. (Molly Myers/Enterprise-Record)
The mud run was put on by the Lord’s Gym, which is operated through the Fathers House Church. The event was held at Father’s House Acres, entirely volunteer-run and free to the public. Kids ages 4 to 17 were welcome to participate in the obstacle course that included a water slide, lots of mud and much more.
Event organizers estimated over 10,000 people attended, with 3,000 kids registered for the run.
The nearly 2.5-mile-long obstacle course had a spectators path running right alongside it for parents and friends alike to cheer on their runners. Parents often ran to keep up with their children as they traversed the mud-filled course.
“It pumps the blood up to see all the happy people out here,” James said, adding that the event teaches kids “sportsmanship, to get along with each other and to have fun.”
Kristian Sullivan-Jakubiszyn is the man behind the course, designed with multiple age groups in mind. At different sections, arrows guided children to different paths based on their age group. Volunteers helped guide children to their designated path..
For the annual event, construction begins on the course in mid-April — and, with the help of volunteers, is ready to go by June. Sullivan-Jakubiszyn’s favorite part of the course is the water slide, because all ages partake in this obstacle.
“It’s kind of part of our practice as Christians to serve our community to make a place for kids to come and have fun,” Sullivan-Jakubiszyn said.
Sullivan-Jakubiszyn, originally from London, came to Oroville in 2015 for a six-month ministry trip at Father’s House. During that trip, he said, he “fell in love with Oroville” and met his wife. Nine years later, he now has three kids and just last week received his citizenship.
Community
Father’s House is run by the couple Steve and Vicki Orsillo, who are the church’s pastors. Vicki Orsillo said the event serves to make every child feel special.
“Some kids never get cheered for, right? … So all the volunteers are cheering for every kid,” she said. “Every kid thinks they won. So it’s kind of cool.”
To keep the event free, the organizers rely fully on donations, volunteers and sponsorships. Along with many businesses, multiple churches from varying denominations sponsored the event and helped with volunteering.
“All kinds of communities come out … every social stature,” Vicki Orsillo said, noting people come from all over the Sacramento Valley, and beyond, for the mud run.
Attendees gather at picnic tables during the Lord’s Gym Kids Mud Run in Oroville, California on Saturday June 1, 2024. (Molly Myers/Enterprise-Record)
Oroville City Councilor Janet Goodson volunteered at the event, welcoming attendees and handing out slices of pizza.
“What I really like about this event is the whole community comes out when it comes to sponsorships and just giving back to the community,” Goodson said. “When this event is put on, there are no denominations.”
Handing out pizza with Goodson, Terry Lonsberry said “the Lord” brought her out to volunteer.
“We do this all for the kids and the lord,” Lonsberry said.
Lonsberry, who said she spent 10 years as a drug addict, found strength through the church and its recovery program. She said she’s been sober now for 30 years.
“When I need help, I find encouragement,” Lonsbery said. “They (Father’s House) are very loving, very caring.”
The large bustling parking lot was run by volunteers Vicki Orsillo said are all a part of the church’s recovery program, or went through the church’s recovery program. One of those volunteers was Christopher Dixon.
Related Articles
Youth of the Year continues advancing
Chico teen Arya Pocock wins Pacific Region Youth of the Year
Generous donation | Snapshot
Supporting students | Snapshot
Most important meal | Snapshot
“I came out here to serve and help the community have some clean fun, well, it’s actually dirty never mind,” Dixon said with a laugh, referencing the mud.
Dixon stayed with the church after he completed its recovery program five years ago.
“I found something awesome and never left,” Dixon said.
+ There are no comments
Add yours