Samurai Sprint Mud Run, Westport

Not only does The Samurai Sprint Run allow participants to find their inner warrior, it lets them fight for a worthy cause. While tackling a series of 18 obstacles peppered throughout the course, they raise funds for Waves for Water, a non-profit organization that supplies clean water to underserved communities. But their task isn't easy. Runners scale an inclined wall, zip down a 100-foot slide into a pool of mud, and even climb a reverse staircase. Thankfully, the finish line brings relief. There, an after party helps everyone involved celebrate their accomplishments with food, beers from Buzzard's Bay Brewing, Inc., and live tunes from Chris Waters, a local Bob Marley tribute artist.