A few crazy MEMS individuals took part in a 6km military-style obstacle challenge known as “The Dirty Dozen Race”
Getting Stuck In: The MEMS Team Takes on the Dirty Dozen Races
Earlier this year, a group of brave (and slightly mad!) MEMS employees signed up for the Dirty Dozen Race—a 6km military-style obstacle race filled with 15 challenges. Designed to test agility, strength, and endurance, the course didn’t hold back. With hills, mud, lakes, and more mud, it was every bit as gruelling as it sounds.
Account Manager Stephanie Bareham was one of the team members who decided to take the plunge—quite literally! She shared her thoughts before, during, and after the event:
“When we signed up, I pictured sunny skies and dry ground. But as the day drew closer, the rain poured down, and it became clear that this wasn’t going to be an easy ride.”
On arriving at the event, the scene was set: participants from earlier waves were coated head-to-toe in mud. One competitor even joked, “Turn back now while you still can!” Despite the nerves, the buzzing atmosphere around the registration tent gave Stephanie and her teammates the boost they needed to press on.
Mud, Sweat, and Teamwork
The race was every bit as tough as it promised to be. From thick mud pits that sucked off shoes to slippery walls and freezing water, every obstacle demanded a mix of grit and teamwork.
“Some moments were so hard I wanted to give up—especially wading through mud that felt like quicksand. But having the team there made all the difference. We pulled each other through, both physically and mentally,” Stephanie said.
One particularly memorable challenge, cheekily named “Barbed Belly,” involved sliding under barbed wire on what felt like a muddy ice rink. For Stephanie, a non-swimmer, the lake obstacles were the most daunting, but with assistance on hand, she managed to tackle every single one.
After two hours and twenty-five minutes, the finish line was finally in sight. Exhausted, muddy, and grinning from ear to ear, the team celebrated their achievement with well-earned beer and foil blankets to fend off the chill.
A Challenge to Remember
“Looking back now that I’ve finally warmed up, I can say it was an amazing experience. It was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, but it was also such a laugh. That said—I’m not signing up again anytime soon!” Stephanie added with a laugh.
The MEMS team’s Dirty Dozen Race was more than just a race. It highlighted the camaraderie and determination that embody the MEMS spirit, both on and off the field.
