You know you’ve been looking for an excuse to play in the mud. Now you have one, without needing to shed your adult sense of propriety. At the LC Valley Down and Dirty Mud Run, getting dirty is the point.

Entering its second year, heats for the mud run begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Community Park in Lewiston. The event is one part cross-country race and one part obstacle course that involves climbing, carrying, jumping and, of course, plenty of mud. The adult course is 3 miles; the Mini-Mudder, an 11-and-younger children’s course, is shorter and just as messy.

Before Aug. 4 the entry fee is $50 for adults and $20 for kids 11 and younger. After that the fee is $65 for adults. It includes a T-shirt, finisher’s award and a post-race shower and party. Registration is online at www.lcvdownanddirty.com, where you can choose your race heat — which means you can run with friends. The Mini-Mudder is a “run as you come” course.

If your desire to play in the mud ended at preschool graduation, bring a camera and cheer on family or friends. The course is set up for spectators to laugh and cringe from a close, but clean, distance.

Double Dare: Run it a prom dress.