CONTACT: Jon Rowley 206-963-5959 rowley@nwlink.com July 12, 2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The 4th Annual Samish Bay 250 yard Low Tide Mud Run, “yard for yard the Northwest’s toughest footrace”, will take place Saturday July 29 at low tide, 2:03 pm with the 100 yard Kid’s Mud Run (ages 8-12) starting at 1:15 pm. This popular spectator event... will any runner finish without falling?... is presented by the Skagit Conservation Education Alliance (SCEA) and Taylor Shellfish Farms, in conjunction with the 4th Annual  Samish Bay Bivalve Bash www.bivalvebash.com, a fundraiser for the community education programs of SCEA,  at the Taylor farm off  Chuckanut Drive in  Bow, WA.  The Mud Run presents hilarious photo opportunities.

Whether running or watching, there is something about mud that appeals to kids and grown-ups alike but the fun ends once the race starts. Limited to the first 200 entrants, the Low Tide Mud Run is uniquely strenuous, demanding top fitness and well developed quadriceps. Shoes are required. Clean-up hoses are provided.   Runners stuck in mud will be rescued before incoming tide.  “Everyone should attempt this race once…if only to learn a little something about what is inside them!” says Keefer Whan, 2003 Mud Run winner.

If registered by July 24, the Mud Run Entry Fee is $10 with free entry for kids.  Day of Race entry, if available, is $20 and $10 for kids (limited to 100 entries).  Each Mud Run finisher receives a golden oyster medallion.  The first three finishers in the Men’s and Women’s (ages 13 and up) and Kid’s Boys and Girls (ages 8 to 12) Divisions receive cash prizes. The winner of each division receives a first place trophy. For entry Forms and information go to www.bivalvebash.com or call 425-501-0709.

Except for bicycles, all parking is off-site at Blanchard. Follow the signs going north and south on Chuckanut Drive to get to the shuttle parking area 1.7 miles south of the Taylor Samish Farm on Colony Road in Blanchard. Shuttle buses leave every 15-20 minutes. Bicycle parking is available at the festival site.

Mud Runners gain free entry to the 4th annual Samish Bay Bivalve Bash featuring fun for all ages including oyster shell sculptures on the beach, games and contests, family activities, shellacious fare, a beer garden, local bands (The Splinters and The Atlantics) and dancing at a scenic shore side setting. For further Bivalve Bash information go to
www.taylorshellfish.com. or call 360-766-6002.