The Dartmouth YMCA is hosting their annual Mud Run on September 17, but the .5-mile course —filled with obstacles, mud pits, and other challenges — needed some finishing touches.

"That's a thousand gallons we just dumped into it," said Al DeMelo of Fire District No. 1.

The YMCA crew spent approximately 10 days clearing crops and digging trenches in the Share the Harvest Farm, the backdrop for the race. They then called in the fire department to... make it muddy.

Engine No. 3 holds 1,000 gallons of water. The crew emptied 2,000 gallons into the first of several pits, refilling the tank at a nearby hydrant.

"The ground's all dry so it's sucking it all up," said DeMelo. "Drought," he stated.

The crew figured they'd have to dump about 7,000 gallons of water to get the job done, but with some restrictions.

"There's a water ban right now, so they don't want us to go nuts," said DeMelo.

The first wave of Mud Run participants will take off at 10:30 a.m. The YMCA's Fall Festival will follow, starting at 11 a.m. The festival will feature live entertainment, local craft vendors, carnival games, inflatable amusements and more. For the first time ever, Folia will be hosting a children’s fashion show during the event.

The Dartmouth YMCA is located at 276 Gulf Road.