Lilah McCandless, 2, completes the tire crawl obstacle during the 6th annual Tuff Tornado Run on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Alameda Park. Two new obstacles, the car wash and the treasure hunt, were added this year, making a total of 23 obstacles. The popular color run, slime run and mud pit once again sullied the athletic clothing of the event’s grinning participants. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle

BUTLER TWP — Two additional wacky obstacles were added to the 2-mile course at the 6th annual Tuff Tornado Run on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Alameda Park, and the runners and walkers who participated were glad to endure them for a good cause.

Audray Muscatello-Yost, the event’s founder and coordinator, said all proceeds from the run benefit the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation.

The foundation provides the Butler Area School District with the Kids Weekend Backpack food program, creative teaching grants, technology upgrades, and funds for educational programs throughout the district.

The Tuff Tornado Run sees runners and walkers of all ages traverse 23 obstacles as they make their way along the course, which is set up in the area of the Odd Fellows pavilion and throughout the woods at Alameda Park.

Participants must face the noodle free-for-all, hay bale jump, tire crawl, fence climb, pipe slide, and other obstacles along the course.

Before splashing their way through the mud run — which was created thanks to the Butler Bureau of Fire’s 2,000 gallons of water sprayed into a pit of dirt — the runners and walkers are pelted with slime in the slime run, and shot with powder in five colors in the color run.

Luckily, the two obstacles following the mud run are the foam run and car wash.

Muscatello-Yost said muddy, slimy, discolored participants are dowsed with soap suds in the foam run, then water in the new car wash obstacle, where they can then rinse off in a large rectangle hung with colorful pool noodles that squirt water.

Muscatello-Yost said volunteers lie in wait in the Alameda woods with cannons that shoot a total of 100 pounds of colored powder onto participants.

“I have sun glasses for the little kids so it doesn’t get in their eyes,” she said.

In addition to the car wash, the other new obstacle is the treasure hunt, in which participants plunge a hand into a bucket of either corn or rice to find a small treasure.

The remaining obstacles are the tire run, tree-trunk hop, V ninja warrior, pail of water, Army crawl, laser maze, sack race, rope bridge, mini wall, and hay bale climb.

“It’s so family oriented,” Muscatello-Yost said of the event. “Everyone is laughing and smiling and everyone is having fun.”

Tammy Schuey, Butler Eagle general manager, said the newspaper serves as a platinum sponsor of the Tuff Tornado Run because it is a family event and it supports the Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation’s vital programs.

“It’s important for us to be a strong community partner,” Schuey said.

Participants took off from the starting line in groups of 50 beginning at 11 a.m. The Tuff Tornado Run raised more than $15,000 for the foundation last year.

Legions of volunteers are required to set up and man the obstacle stations, and many are students in the Butler Area School District.

Muscatello-Yost said 50 students helped set up Friday evening, and 50 more manned the obstacles on Saturday.

The students were members of Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps, National Honor Society, Junior National Honor Society and the Starfish program.

A DJ, two food trucks and pre-run stretching by Burn Boot Camp of Butler also were featured at the event.

Jenley Birch, who is on the foundation board of directors, said Muscatello-Yost saw a similar event while visiting her daughter 7 years ago in Rhode Island, and presented the idea to the foundation board for consideration.

Of course, she also offered to organize the multifaceted event, Birch said.

“Audray is the most generous person I know,” Birch said.

Birch and a number of others from the foundation or Kids Weekend Backpack program were on hand Saturday to man obstacle stations.

Collins Kramer, 10, who is a fifth-grader at Connoquenessing Elementary School, participated in his second Tuff Tornado Run on Saturday.

He named the color run as his favorite obstacle.

“People are just, like, hitting you with colors and stuff,” Collins said. “It’s fun.”

Amy Antol traveled from New Castle to bring her two children and their friend to the run.

“The kids are always looking for something fun to do, and we’re just along for their ride,” she said.

She hoped her kids enjoyed the slimy, muddy, foamy event.

“A whole lot of mess and a lot of memories,” Antol said of what she hoped her kids would get out of the run.

Megan Tinklepaugh, a guidance counselor at Butler Intermediate High School, said her young daughters thought the race looked like fun, but she admitted to dreading the mud pit.

“I brought towels, clean clothes and seat covers,” she said.

Natalia Niemeyer, 10, who is a fourth-grader at McQuistion Elementary, said her mom, brother and sister came because the event looked fun.

Natalia looked forward to being slimed, while her brother, Rex, 8, said the run would be good exercise. He looked forward to “the slime and also the mud” as he watched the first 50 runners take off from the starting line.

Their older sister, Raeleigh, an eighth-grader at Butler Intermediate High, volunteered Friday night to help set up the obstacles.

“I’m dreading the tire crawl,” Raeleigh said. “It looks hard.”

Brian White, Butler Area superintendent, called the Tuff Tornado Run “an incredible community event with tremendous volunteers.”

He enjoyed seeing so many students volunteering at the event.

“They get a true sense of helping others,” White said.

He completed the run a few years ago, but acted as a volunteer on Saturday.

“My personal favorite is the mud at the end,” White said. “I like to watch the people go through the mud.”

Logan McCandless, 4, balances on ropes during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Lucas Clark, 5, and Tesla Jardin run through the mud pit together during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Lilah McCandless, 2, runs through a tire during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Cade Sterrett, 10, jumps hay bales during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Harper Teribery, 7, does the balance beam portion of the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Lilah McCandless, 2, runs through a tire obstacle course during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Hayden Gilliland, 11, traverses a rope bridge during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Jameson Sterrett, 7, jumps hay bales during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Alyssa Bacheler is sprayed with colored water during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Logan McCandless, 4, balances on ropes during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Adelynn Clark, 9, runs through the mud pit during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Hannah, 5, and Logan, 4, McCandless balances on ropes during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Grayson McCandless, 6, is sprayed with colored water during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Maddox Antol, 7, slides down a pipe during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Mackenna McCandless, 14, center, goes over a hay bale obstacle during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Kira McLaughlin, 16, runs through foam during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Rocco Mike, 7, runs through the mud pit during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Hannah McCandless, 5, goes through a tire during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Julius Wick, 7, balances on ropes during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Mackenna, 14, helps Grayson, 6, McCandless balance on ropes during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Althea Papas, 7, rinses off at the water station at the finish line of the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Levi Kuntz, 17, balances between ropes during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Vada Holtgraver, 4, traverses a rope bridge during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Conor Holtgraver, 4, traverses a rope bridge during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Lilah McCandless, 2, runs through a tire during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Julius Wick, 7, balances on ropes during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Wynsla Gummp, 5, left, and Mary Caton run through a tire obstacle during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Adam Mason, 10, center, jumps hay bales during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Conor Holtgraver, 4, slides down a pipe during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Trip McCaslin runs through the mud pit with a Butler ROTC flag during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Marshall Kiser, 5, runs through water cannons during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Runners jump hay bales during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Runners jump hay bales during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Genevieve, 3, and Zack McManus run through the mud pit during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Marshall Kiser, 5, jumps tree stumps during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Lucas Clark, 5, and Tesla Jardin run through the mud pit together during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Althea Papas, 7, heads toward the finish line during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Camden Cooper, 5, runs through water cannons during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Cadin Helfrich, 16, falls during the rope balancing obstacle of the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Hannah McCandless, 5, balances between ropes during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Faith Brittner, right, is sprayed with colored water during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Lilah McCandless, 2, runs through a tire during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Julius Wick, 7, balances on ropes during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Lucas Clark, 5, and Tesla Jardin run through the mud pit together during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Mackenna McCandless, 14, jumps tree stumps during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Vera Cox, 4, left, Vivian Cox, 8, and Lindsay Wiefling compete in sack racing during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Marshall Kiser, 5, jumps tree stumps during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Marshall Kiser, 5, jumps tree stumps during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Maddox Winters, 5, climbs through a string obstacle course during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Sara McGee does the army crawl during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Maddox Winters, 5, climbs through a string obstacle course during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Eliam Mitchell, 7, carries water around cones during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Wynsla Gumpp, 5, does the army crawl during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Harper Teribery, 7, does balance beams during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Marshall Kiser, 5, jumps tree stumps during the Tuff Tornado obstacle course run at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)

Lilah McCandless, 2, completes a tire obstacle during the Tuff Tornado event at Alameda Park on Saturday, Sept. 28. Morgan Phillips/Butler Eagle (9/28/2024)