Get ready for the Cowboy Crawl

Former NFL safety Clinton Hart roamed the field for the Chargers, Rams and Eagles. Saturday, he’ll run like a cowboy.
Hart, a graduate of South Sumter High School in Bushnell and now a safety for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League and youth sports trainer, will participate in the Cowboy Crawl Mud Run, Saturday, March 23, at Providence Ranch in Lake Panasoffkee. The Cowboy Crawl is a 5-kilometer run through 24 challenging obstacles built by many of Central Florida’s top building contractors, surrounded by the natural beauty of a real Florida cattle ranch. After their run, participants and observers will enjoy live music and entertainers, games, barbecue, beverages and more. Hart will participate in the run with a team of youth sports trainees, then will stay after the run to greet fans.
The Cowboy Crawl will be held at Providence Ranch, 5682 W. State Road 44 (between Wildwood and Inverness) in Lake Panasoffkee, Florida. The site is an actual cattle ranch with livestock, ponds, giant oak trees with Spanish moss, and plenty of mud. It is presented by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the T&D family of companies, and Maury Carter Realty.
Runners can register for the Cowboy Crawl Mud Run online at www.cowboycrawlfl.com or by phone at (352) 793-3099. Race registration is $55 per person. Teams of six or more save $5 on each registration. Police, fire, EMT’s and corrections officers, and their families run are eligible for a Hero Discount of just $40 per participant. All registrants receive an official Cowboy Crawl t-shirt, and finishers receive a custom designed medal. Observer admission is $5 per person and includes admission to post-race activities.
Clayton Hart attended College of Central Florida. After spending the 2000 season with the Tallahassee Thunder of the AFL, Hart played defensive back and wide receiver for the Tampa Bay Storm of Arena Football League in 2001. He finished his only season in the AFL recording three interceptions and 69 tackles on defense and 24 receptions for 242 yards and touchdown on offense.
After success in the AFL, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Hart to a contract in 2002. In 2003 Hart started 9 games at safety due to an injury to starter Brian Dawkins. Hart was claimed off waivers by the San Diego Chargers in 2004. Hart played in 14 games for the Chargers that season and was tied for the team lead with special teams tackles with 15. In 2007 Hart became the Chargers full-time starter at strong safety, starting all 16 games. He finished the season recording a career high five interceptions and 85 tackles. Hart remained with the Chargers through the 2008 season, then signed with the St. Louis Rams.
Participants in the Cowboy Crawl Mud Run will get down and dirty while overcoming tough obstacles like “Alligator Alley,” “The Bug Zapper,” “Dead River Saloon,” and “Devil’s Rope.” They will climb hay mounds, slither through tunnels and ride a zip line, while testing their mettle on the “Lasso Bridge,” the “Slip ‘n’ Slide” and “Castration Crawl.”
All runners and observers are invited to wash off and stay throughout the day for the latest music performed live on stage. Grab a beer or soft drink, enjoy some fine Florida barbecue, and stick around for activities like mud volleyball, mud tug-o-war, keg tossing, mechanical bull riding, cowgirls on stilts, midget cowboys and other performers. On-stage hosts will lead fun games for the crowd. Entertainment is being provided by Garret Lauer Events. There will also be live hosts playing music and encouraging the runners all along the course.
Presenting Sponsor is T&D Distribution Inc., Post-Race Activities Sponsors are Beautiful Moments Party Rental and Supplies Inc., Blue Monster Promotions, Cemex, Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic and Plaza Cadillac. Obstacle Sponsors are Barfield Builders Inc., CenterState Bank, Chandler’s Insulation and Electric in Lake Panasoffkee, Galaxy Home Solutions in Wildwood, Global Contracting Group in Wildwood, Jesse Brannen Fencing, Mico Customs, Mike Scott Plumbing in Wildwood, MVP Athletic Club, Panasoffkee Hardware, Pikes Electric in Wildwood, PSL Construction, SECO Energy, T&D Concrete; T&D Distribution, T&D Pool and Spa Service, T&D Screen Enclosures, Tommy Goff Excavating, and. Small Business Sponsors are Charmed Hair Studio, Great Lakes Carpet and Tile, Regions Mortgage, and Wade Surveying Inc.
For more information about the Cowboy Crawl Mud Run, visit www.cowboycrawlfl.com or call the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce at (352) 793-3099.
The Sumter County Chamber of Commerce is the primary business organization in Sumter County, Florida, representing more than 450 business members. Its purpose is to educate, support and promote businesses in Sumter County.. For information about membership, please contact the chamber at 352-793-3099 or visit www.sumterchamber.org.
 

SAMANTHA MERRITT

Cowboys will be crawling in Lake Panasoffkee this weekend when the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce presents the first ever Cowboy Crawl.

Buy this photo