“I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.”

Those words were found scrawled on a card with an old permanent marker by the family of 18-year-old Jake Moeller after his death due to a drunk driver.  And those are the very same words that inspired his family to hold an annual mud run to honor his memory and keep his passion for helping others alive. In life, Moeller took mission trips.

Now, the annual mud run raises funds to help others make a difference in the world, either through mission trips or through scholarships.

Laura White, Moeller’s sister, spoke to the Exchange Club of Picayune Wednesday about the upcoming event, now going on its fourth year.

Through the funds raised in this event, White said 15 young people have been sent on mission trips to nine countries in the short time the mud run has been held.

This year’s event will be held on Aug. 18, starting at 5 p.m. White said the start time is in the evening because it’s cooler and it’s held in August because that was the month he celebrated his birthday.

It’s an event with two sides, a competitive side that includes prizes, and an open wave where family and fun dominate.

“Even if you’re not active, you can walk the course and laugh at people trying to get out of mud holes,” White said.

The price to participate is $35 for the open wave, and $45 for the competitive race if the tickets are purchased ahead of time. Tickets can be purchased the day of the event for $5 more.

The course is 3.1 miles of obstacles, the equivalent of a 5K. The professionally timed race will also give competitors an opportunity to win prizes. White said the winners in the overall male and female categories will receive a custom wooden plaque from River Banks Trophy Shop. Top winners in each of the six age groups will receive a custom stainless cup and a gift card from Run-N-Tri in Gulfport.

As the name states, the course includes muddy obstacles and creeks to run through. Once participants reach the end, they are hosed off by members of a local volunteer fire department.

The entire event is held at Shallow Creek farm outside of Picayune, located at 116 Moeller Road.

Not only are organizers of the event looking for participants, volunteers are just as welcome.

White said they can use help in setting up the course the week prior to the event, or manning water stations along the course.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering, or wants additional information about the event, can contact the Moeller family via the events Facebook page.