Company to issue refunds for Chesapeake mud run

Sept. 29--CHESAPEAKE -- When organizers of a 4-mile mud run abruptly canceled an event last week in Hickory, they had no immediate plans to issue refunds.

Plans have changed.

The Maryland-based company behind the "Running Dirty" race announced Friday they will process refunds after all.

"They hated to have to do this, but they are trying to make it right," said Juliette Bogus, a spokeswoman for Running Dirty.

Officials with The Epic Brands, a related company based in Elkridge, Md, did not return emails seeking comment.

Bogus said the Sept. 27 race at Greenbrier Farms was canceled because not enough people signed up in advance. She said the the event drew about 1,800 people last year and that fewer than half had pre-registered for this year's race.

Bogus explained the company was forced to cancel but didn't know how to best do it. She said the company also did not believe they were required to refund anyone their money because of a disclaimer all participants signed when they registered.

"This was something they'd never experienced before," Bogus said.

She said the company was eager to issue refunds when it became clear it could afford to do so.

Race participants credited the company's about-face regarding refunds on the fact multiple media outlets reported on the race's cancellation. Officials with the Maryland and Virginia Attorneys General's offices also announced last week they were investigating.

"It doesn't seem like they would have done anything without hearing from the media except shut up shop and try to disappear," said Doug McQueen of Virginia Beach, who pre-registered for the race with his wife and several friends. "Now that the proverbial crap has hit the fan, they are trying to head it off at the pass and avoid any legal ramifications of their actions."

Bogus disagreed, saying it took time for the company to sort out how much it owed its various vendors and its insurance company.

"Had we been able to better explain what was happening... I think there would have been a better reaction," she said.

Would-be participants paid as much as $109 to register. Part of the proceeds were to support The Navy SEAL Foundation, which announced last week on its Facebook page the use of its logo and branding was not authorized.

Bogus said that is "absolutely not true."

According to a statement posted on runningdirty.com, the organizers are in the process of issuing refunds to anyone who paid directly through the website, Active.com. Participants should receive the refund within 6 to 10 business days.

The statement indicated the organizers were still working with Groupon and Living Social to secure refunds for people who used those firms to buy their tickets. Last week, Running Dirty urged such race participants to contact those companies directly.

"Thank you for your patience," said the statement. "We are so sorry that this great event was cancelled. All of us at Running Dirty have put our time, energy, effort, and resources into developing these races and building relationships with some terrific charities and great people. It is a very personal loss for all of us."

Michael Kelly, a spokesman for Attorney General Mark Herring, said his office is still investigating if anything improper occurred.

"We will certainly take into account the most recent actions by the promoter in determining what, if any, involvement or resolution may be appropriate," he said.

Running Dirty is no longer in business, Bogus said.

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