Wellness is the goal and mud is the catalyst.

The first Jamestown S’Klallam Warrior Mud Run is slated for an 8 a.m. start on Saturday, June 8, at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s campus in Blyn.

Admission includes a participant bandana, participant T-shirt, an award medal, a "Warrior Bib" with racing number, water and a healthy snack at the finish line, a post-race meal hosted by Jamestown Tribe in Blyn and, of course, bragging rights.

The mud run is one in what officials from the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe Wellness Program hope to be a series of events promoting healthy, active lifestyles to the community.

At www.sklallamwarriors.com, log in to find event information, blogs and comments, sponsorship information, how to become a volunteer, registration forms and photos. Or see www.facebook.com/SKlallamWarriors.

The race is designed for all skill levels and ages. Though the course features obstacles, participants will be able to bypass any obstacle they feel is above their skill level. 

The event is a "fun run," so no timing chips are used and no official results are compiled. Costumes are encouraged.

Shuttles leave 7 Cedars Casino for the course beginning at 8 a.m.; the first of four "heats" of mud runners starts at 9 a.m. A salmon and clam bake starts at noon and the "Mini Warriors" (ages 7 and younger) Play Area opens at 1 p.m.

Participants and volunteers are invited to a "Pre-Warrior Kick Off" from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, June 7.

Melissa Smith, a tribal citizen who works in the Wellness Program for the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, said she came up with the idea for the Warrior Mud Run during her training for the Run a Muck in Port Angeles in 2012. 

"I was by no means a runner … it was painful for me to run … but we kept at it, as a team, supporting each other for months," Smith said. "Before I knew it, I was running three to four miles at a time and I was 40 pounds lighter."

Smith started with the idea the tribe would host its own, but, "The more the event snowballed, the more expensive it was becoming. We decided to open it up to the entire community and explore the options of welcoming sponsors on board to help make this event happen."

The goal, Smith said, remains the same.

"This is exactly what I wanted to see this happen … to create a fun and healthy goal for people, something that creates teamwork, camaraderie, friendships, bonds between co-workers and families — while working toward the goal of an entire day of family fun, health, our native culture — and of course — mud!"

For more information, call Smith at 582-4872 or contact the Warrior Team via the website or at sklallamwarriors@gmail.com.