Shamong has concerns over mud run and camping event

Concerns over a mud run and camping event taking place in Shamong on Sept. 28 were raised at the township committee meeting on Sept. 3.

The event, called “Rebel Race” is scheduled to take place in the residential area of Saddlebrook Court on the property of Charles and Gail Pratt who own and operate the Saddlebrook Ridge Equestrian Center. Rebel Race is a 5k and 15k obstacle race designed for athletes and thrill seekers. From start to finish, runners will be barricade climbing, mud crawling, rope swinging and fire jumping.

Jacquelyn Dougherty, who lives nearby on Breckenridge Drive, brought her concerns to the committee after seeing the event advertised on www.rebelrace.com. Dougherty said the pictures of scantily clad women covered in mud and men drinking beer do not reflect the types of events Shamong is known or should be known for.

Gail Pratt defended the event and their reason for hosting.

“I apologize for the way the event has been advertised, but we have done the work to make sure no one will be impacted. The registration, parking and camping area will be on the other side of the property, so I’m certain the neighbors will not even notice,” Pratt said.

As far as the depictions of drinking and potential reckless partying, Pratt said it is wrong to think they would allow things to get out of control.

“We have a beautiful property and a magnificent facility. To think we would allow it to be denigrated or damaged is crazy. The event is totally organized,” Pratt said.

The proceeds from the event will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.

“We’re not making a bail of hay from this event. We want to have it so that we can support something as patriotic as Wounded Warrior,” Pratt said.

The committee scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, Sept. 10 to allow residents to voice their concerns about potential traffic and safety issues. No official action was taken at last week’s meeting, but the committee wanted the public to have the opportunity to learn more about the event.

Charles Pratt was concise in his remarks as he exited the meeting.

“We’re going to have the event, and by law, there isn’t anything you can do to stop us,” Pratt said.

In other news:

•Jack Dougherty, an eighth-grade student at Indian Mills Memorial School, presented the committee a check for $236. The money was left over from Dougherty’s fundraising efforts to update the veteran’s memorial on Indian Mills Road. In June, new plaques were added in addition to shrubbery and flowers being planted at the memorial. The check was placed in a newly created war memorial fund that will be used exclusively for maintaining Shamong’s memorial. Deputy mayor Ken Long and the rest of the committee thanked Dougherty for his service and generosity.

•Committeeman Tim Gimbel was named the committee representative to the Shamong Township Recreation Advisory Committee.

•The township was forced to spend $2,100 to replace and repaint signs that were damaged by graffiti. Other property that was damaged was a shed and fencing at Stony Creek Park. The committee will pursue having those be repaired through community service projects.

•The bids to replace the carpet and furniture at the municipal office came in at $3,147 and $3,837, respectively. Township Administrator Sue Onorato said that certain items would be purchased used from Office Furniture Outlet in Cherry Hill to lower costs. The budget for the project was not to exceed $10,000.