Mudder Ruckers: Unbreakable Together
From left to right: Colette Palmer, Jimmy Palmer, Rebecca Towson, Daris Towson, Towson children, Derek Towson, Bryan Lavado, Ryan Winters, Chris Sheridan, Laruen Sheridan, Frank Stier and Amy Crawford
When Chris Sheridan and his wife, Lauren, signed up for their first Spartan Race in Charlotte in 2023, they had no idea it would change the course of their fitness journey—and spark the creation of a team that would become family.
Encouraged by their friend and Spartan veteran Serge Skiba, and guided through obstacles by longtime racers Rob Coyle and his daughter Lizzie—whom they had only met that morning in the training area—Chris and Lauren discovered in that very first race the challenge, camaraderie, and finish-line joy that OCR is all about. By the end of the season, Chris had a new idea: build a team where others could feel that same sense of possibility.
“Before Spartan, I thought it was something far beyond my capabilities,” Chris recalls. “I wanted others to experience the same realization we had.”
From top left, clockwise: Ryan Winters; Chris Sheridan & Lauren Sheridan; Serge Skiba; Daris Towson
By 2024, Chris and ruck partner Daris Towson had launched the Mudder Ruckers with 13 members. The core members who raced that year and are still active include Chris himself, Lauren Sheridan, Daris Towson, Rebecca Towson, Serge Skiba, Derek Towson, Ryan Winters, Ryan Fulks, and Amy Crawford.
“What brought us together was simply the excitement of the idea,” Chris explains. “We kept talking about it, getting each other excited, and building energy around having a team.”
Today, that core group has grown into a tight-knit crew spanning different professions, fitness levels, and hometowns.
“We welcome anyone with a positive attitude who wants to hang with a good crew and have fun,” Chris says.
Left: Chris Sheridan; Right: Amy Crawford & Frank Stier
More Than Just Racing
While the team is scattered across different cities, they stay connected through a private WhatsApp thread, fitness challenges, and the unshakable commitment that no one is left behind. On race day, the Mudder Ruckers run together—it’s never about speed, but about encouragement, teamwork, and helping every racer, teammate or not, make it across the finish line.
Chris sums it up in one word: unbreakable.
Highs, Lows, and BBQ
For Chris, some of the most meaningful moments have been introducing new athletes to their very first Spartan Race. In fact, about 90% of the team ran their first event with the Mudder Ruckers. At the same time, Chris is quick to point out the steady presence of a few veterans—teammates like Rob Coyle, Serge Skiba, Derek Towson, and Doug Gallagher—who had been racing long before the team officially formed and now help guide and inspire the newer members.
There have also been emotional moments, like when teammate Jim Palmer discovered a serious medical issue while training. That diagnosis likely saved his life, and Jim is now on the road to recovery and hopes to return in 2026.
And then there’s the lighter side. The team has a standing post-race tradition of rewarding themselves with BBQ—because nothing tastes better after mud, sweat, and fire jumps than a well-earned meal shared with friends.
Looking Ahead
Chris and the team continue to set goals for the future. Some Mudder Ruckers are preparing for their first Ultra, others are training for age-group competition, and some are simply excited to explore new race venues across the country. Recruiting new members is always a priority, and Chris hopes to one day host a local charity event under the Mudder Ruckers banner.
“Team means being part of something bigger than yourself,” Chris explains. “It’s about bonding, supporting each other, and lifting each other up—literally and figuratively.”
From left to right: Bryan Lavado, Adam Wise, Lauren Sheridan, Chris Sheridan, Alex Mulac, Amy Crawford and Frank Stier
Proudly MudGear
One of Chris’s proudest moments came in Charlotte in 2025, when the Mudder Ruckers lined up in their first set of custom MudGear gear.
“For the first time, we looked like a true team—and it felt official,” he says.
And nothing symbolizes that unity better than their favorite finish-line ritual: leaping over the Fire Jump side by side. The medals are nice, but for Chris, the real reward is the shared experience.
Unbreakable. Together. That’s what it means to be a Mudder Rucker.
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