It is supposed to be rough and tough, that's why they call it the ultimate challenge. But this weekend's annual Volkslauf mud run turned out to be a life threatening experience for one woman who is in critical condition at Kern Medical Center.
The family of 32 year old Mandy Trept is holding out hope their daughter will walk again. But doctors say her legs may be paralyzed.
Trept was taking part in the run Saturday when she fell 30 feet from the highest wall in the course. Trept has dislocated vertebra in her neck and is in critical condition at Kern Medical Center.
"They have seen lots of miraculous things happen but right now they believe her legs will be paralyzed and the only thing we know is she can lift her right arm a little bit," said Ted Trept, Mandy Trept's father.
Trept is from Arlington, Texas and came to Bakersfield specifically for Volkslauf. She is described by her family as an avid weight lifter...and lover of all things outdoors. Witnesses say Trept was having trouble getting over the obstacle when she fell head first.
I guess it was the free fall that caught my attention and a really large, loud thump everyone heard. It was almost like she was unconscious going down because she didn't fight the fall," said witness Vickie Grafton.
Last year's heat, sent 8 participants to the hospital. But Volkslauf organizers say this is the first time in the event's 15 year history that a participant had to be taken away by helicopter.
News of the accident kept Amy Villicano from sleeping. "It all started as a care package for Mandy's family. Someone said let's do a care package and then it turned into why don't we have a run in her honor, and now we have Miles For Mandy," said Amy Villicano, Volkslauf competitor.
Miles for Mandy will be a walk/run in Bakersfield to help pay for Trept's medical expenses.
"When Mandy heard there were some people who were going to have an event for her to raise funds, it brought tears to her eyes," said her father.
Organizers are still working out a date for the event. If you want more information go to:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/milesformandy/
http://mandytrecovery.eventbrite.com/
