More than 1,700 insane dirt runners and 70 plus fearless volunteers stomped and ran through the backwoods of Hell, Michigan at the 10th Dances With Dirt, September 11, 2004.

"This place was a zoo. Beavers, chickens, kittens and everythin' else you can imagine (iffen' you have a sick mind) lined up at the dawn's crack, ready to tackle the DWD monster course from Hell," said Randy Step, event director-- AKA Head Goat. "At a deep mud hole on the course, I watched as a Sumo Wrestler passed Uncle Sam in waist deep smelly crap and wondered, what has this race become? It's kinda like Woodstock, if you remember everything that happened today, you must not have been there."

The Onsted Ringers came in the first team overall and first team handicap. Special category winners include the Trail Masters, all female team; the O.P.P. Runnersaurus, public safety category; and Cross-eyed, Clydesdale team. The coveted DWD Team Spirit award goes to the Kool Kool Kitties followed closely by The Sole Sisters! Jeff Christian came in first for the 50K men's ultra marathon and Melissa Hughes was the first women's 50K finisher. Matt Bedford was the first place finisher in the 50-mile ultra. World-famous ultra marathoner Dick West completed all 10 DWD Ultras! Honorable mention for the volunteer with the longest drive is Stuart, who came all the way from Champaign Illinois to help!

50 Mile finisher, Dave Swenson of Ames, Iowa, said, "What a run! I was the penultimate ultra runner (that means I came in next to last). The course was downright mean in places. I stepped into some muck and sank clear to my chin. I'm scratched, bruised, sore, chaffed, sun-burnt and on the verge of losing my right toe-nail which had finally grown back after last year's run. Along the way I came to the conclusion that, indeed, last year's course was sissified, and this year's course was righteous. I'll be back next year with a tad more respect for your course. Thanks for everything, the fantastic support, and the wonderful reception that I received when I finally did finish."

50K finisher, Beth Gilday or Woodhaven, Michigan, said, "This was my first DWD. I have never enjoyed getting beat up so much. Running in the dark, doing a face-plant into pine needles, finding ways to go under, over or through logs, getting stuck hip deep in mud, river crossings, crawling up a vertical dirt ladder, bouncing off rocks . . awesome. Now I have to go clean the shower, put my socks in the trash and wash my shoes at the coin laundry."

DWD 2004 welcomed new sponsor, Red Bull, who gave away 70 cases of Red Bull to the runners- that's more than 1,400 cans of Red Bull! Dominos brought more than 800 pizzas from four different store locations. Nike kicked in some very sweet prizes including the Nike 50 Split Watches, Nike backpacks and other gear for the winners.

Registration for next years' event begins Saturday, March 5, 2005. Visit www.danceswithdirt.com for 2004 results and event updates.