TIME TO GET DIRTY

Hundreds try the Tuff eNuff Challenge

Compared to what’s coming, a 5K obstacle course was a cakewalk for 18-year-old Silas Dionne of Corinth.

On June 12, he’ll be headed to U.S. Marine Corps boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., where grueling drills start early and last throughout the day.

Dionne and his brother, Elijah, and sister and brother-inlaw, Harmony and Brandon Wagner, were among the 600 people who slogged through mud, climbed hills and navigated

water-filled ditches on Saturday in the Tuff eNuff Challenge, a Prevention Council fundraising event.

“It was like one last hurrah to do this with my family,” Silas said.

“I couldn’t be more proud of him,” Harmony Wagner said.

“I’m not worried about him, he’ll do fine down there,” her husband said.

“I think he’s ready for it (the Marines),” Elijah Dionne said.

Tuff eNuff is character building, too, and fits in with the Prevention Council’s mission of “Helping Youth Navigate Life’s Challenges” by avoiding drugs and alcohol.

The day’s activities started with a 1K kids run, followed by the 5K for adults, which went off in three separate waves of runners. The emphasis isn’t on winning, although 19-yearold Chase Collins of Saratoga Springs was the first to cross the finish line, among first-wave entrants, in a time of 22:59.

His prize?

“A mud pie,” Collins said grinning.

Tom Portuese, of Queensbury, finished close on his heels. His three sons — Tim, Andy and Marcus — completed the 1K course.

“It’s a great way to get dirty and get some exercise with the kids,” Portuese said.

“The mud just keeps coming — waves and waves of it.”

The course, at the F. Donald Myers Education Center on Henning Road, was prepared by BOCES heavy equipment operator students. BOCES kids also helped out with security and parking, and culinary students offered refreshments. The race, in its sixth year, is sponsored by AYCO, whose TeamWorks Program volunteers helped mark the course.

“We couldn’t do this without the help of our community volunteers, many of whom return year after year because this event is so special,” said Erin Smith, volunteer coordinator.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Louis Falcon, a Spa City resident, took a day off from duties at Fort Drum, where he’s stationed, to compete in Tuff eNuff. Like a true warrior, he came dressed in a gold plastic Spartan’s helmet, accompanied by his 5-year-old son, Maddox, who did the kids run.

“It’s intense, it’s fun and you get a good workout,” Falcon said. “And no one’s yelling at you. I could do 15 miles of this. I’m going to tell my soldiers to come next year.”

PHOTOS BY PAUL POST — PPOST@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM A competitor climbs a muddy hill after slogging through a pool of water.

Tom Portuese of Queensbury navigates a deep, muddy gully. The course was prepared by BOCES heavy equipment operator students.

Army Sgt. 1st Class Louis Falcon and his son, Maddox, took part in the Tuff eNuff Challenge.

Lots of kids participated in the Tuff eNuff challenge. From left to right, front, are Wyatt Martin and Meghan Herlihy; back row, Aiden Slavett, Lydia Throll, Viviana Nicastro, Molly Vanderbogart and Emma Landers. All attend Maple Avenue Middle School,...

Silas Dionne of Corinth, left, is headed to U.S. Marine Corps boot camp on June 12. He’s joined in the Tuff eNuff Challenge by his brother, Elijah of Corinth, and sister and brotherin-law, Harmony and Brandon Wagner, of Ballston Spa.

Competitors had to run through a long, water-filled ditch in the Tuff eNuff Challenge.

Chase Collins, right, of Saratoga Springs was the first person to cross the finish line, among first-wave entrants, in Saturday’s Tuff eNuff Challenge. He was followed closely by Tom Portuese, left, of Queensbury.

PHOTOS BY PAUL POST — PPOST@DIGITALFIRSTMEDIA.COM Muddy water was found everywhere on the course during the Tuff eNuff Challenge on Saturday.

A pair of buddies climb to the top of a hill while competing in the Tuff eNuff Challenge.

Runners high-step it across tires in a muddy pit during the Tuff eNuff Challenge.