It's been a cold winter, but the Great Marsh Institute (GMI) wants to hit the ground running in spring.

Registration is currently underway for the third annual Great Marsh Mud Mosey, which is slated to be held on Saturday, April 11, at 10 a.m. at GMI, 34 Moores Road, Elverson.

The event, which is being presented by both GMI and ChesCo Search Dogs, will feature a 5K run, 1-mile walk and a hike. There is a cost to register.

"We're all excited for year three," said Keith Studnick, the race director and president of ChesCo Search Dogs. "I think we've gotten it down pat in terms of race-day operations and having all our volunteers lined up."

Runners and walkers of any pace are invited to take part in the 5K or walk, both of which will travel a relatively flat terrain of grass, gravel, marsh and mud, Studnick said.

The races are limited to 120 participants due to parking restrictions. Packet pickup will take place starting at 9 a.m. on the day of the event. Attendees will receive their packets as they drive onto the property.

At last year's event, runners and walkers dealt with snowy conditions and 40 mph winds - the former of which truly put the "mud" in the Great Marsh Mud Mosey.

"That snow completely surprised us," Studnick said. "We've had two really rough years weather wise; (we're) hoping this year we can get decent weather."

GMI forged a partnership with ChesCo when it allowed the nonprofit K-9 training organization to use its property for practice search missions. Studnick's dog, Hunter, is a search dog himself.

Hunter is reprising his role as the "bark starter" for the race. The 9-year-old golden retriever was recently diagnosed with cancer but is recovering well from chemotherapy treatments, Studnick said.

"He's still training every Sunday for the search and rescue team," Studnick said. "We treat him like nothing's happened to him ... if you saw him, you wouldn't even know."

Following the race, pulled pork sandwiches/platters and wood-fired pizza will be available. The sandwiches will be made using pork that was raised on GMI's farm property - as close from farm to table as you can get. Additionally, both Stable 12 Brewing Co. and Big Rack Spirits will provide post-race refreshments.

"We used to have a food truck that we would give everyone a $5 coupon for," Studnick said. "We have a chef that lives on the property, and then they also have this awesome huge pizza oven."

Also in post-race festivities, a DJ will provide music, and environmental biologists will be available to talk about the property's unique plants and wildlife, much of which is along the 5K course. ChesCo's dogs will also perform demonstrations.

The 5K race will be timed; the top three male and female finishers will receive prizes, provided by REI. There are no personal pets allowed on the property.

For more information and to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Elverson/GreatMarshMudMosey. The registration deadline is midnight on Wednesday, April 8. No same-day registrations will be accepted. Proceeds will benefit both organizations.

A video from the event's inaugural event can be found by searching for "2024 Great Marsh Mud Mosey" on YouTube.

For more information about GMI, a nonprofit organization dedicated to wetland conservation and education, visit http://www.greatmarshinstitute.org. For Chesco Search Dogs, visit http://www.chescosearch.org or http://www.facebook.com/ChesCoSearchDogs.