By Sarah Light, staff writer

HAYWARD &8212; Mud. And lots of it.

During the fourth annual Hayward Days mud bog Saturday, almost 70 people came out to race ATVs and trucks in what has become one of the town&8217;s most popular events.

Prior to the start of the race, the two mud pits were sprayed down with water to make the conditions extra messy, and onlookers began to line up on the sidelines.

By the time the race began, several hundred people were ready for some entertainment.

For the first time in the tournament&8217;s four-year history, male and female riders raced in the same competition, where before there had been a separate powder-puff race for women.

Kim Chapman, a former Hayward resident, was one of the women who decided to participate in the race.

Chapman said she was in town visiting and got talked into riding an ATV in the race.

&8220;I was like, &8216;What the heck, I&8217;m not scared of a little mud and water,&8217;&8221; she said Saturday with a laugh before her race. &8220;If you can beat out the boys, then you have bragging rights.&8221;

She said she didn&8217;t really prepare for the competition, but she was ready to have some fun.

&8220;It&8217;s not that often you get to play in the mud like that,&8221; Chapman said. &8220;I&8217;m washable.&8221;

During the intermission of the race, Nate Eggum, organizer of the event, said the race had been going well. The event was led by the Hayward Fire Department.

Organizers said they had the highest turnout in the four years of the competition&8217;s existence.

There were 38 ATV entries and 29 truck entries.

Every rider got at least two runs &8212; one run in each lane.

Look for the winners of the race this week in the Tribune.