Picture this: it’s bright and early on a Saturday morning, and instead of your weekly run with the girls, you’re looking down a forested trail alongside thousands of women who will accompany you through pits of mud, over tall walls, and across the finish line of your first-ever adventure race.

When it’s all said and done, you’ll relish in a zen state so pure it could only be induced by the runner’s high you and your squad will get after a messy race through the mountains. Did I mention that this zen state comes with wine?

If this sounds like a welcome change to your workout regimen, you’re in luck: Mudderella returns to Whistler on September 24, where this year, an updated world-class course complete with challenging new obstacles will see teams of empowered women owning their strength and getting out of their comfort zones.

Created for women by women, Mudderella takes place on a muddy, eight to 11 kilometre track on Blackcomb Mountain, and will completely reshape your idea of what can constitute as a “girls weekend”. Forget manicures and shop-til-you-drop marathons; Mudderella will encourage you to get in touch with your inner beast, as you challenge yourself with a full-body workout that you and your friends won’t soon forget.

While other physical activities might see you setting goals that involve breaking personal records or finishing before your competitors, Mudderella will have you focused on working as a team—because without a helping hand, making your way over the aptly named 10-foot Strong Wall will seem next to impossible. Amidst the challenges, you’ll find yourself fostering camaraderie with friends and strangers alike in an environment that will be positively buzzing with energy.

Think this adventure race is strictly reserved for those “fitspo” ladies you see on Instagram? Think again. September might mean a massive uptick in renewals at your local gym, but it doesn’t mean you should find yourself at the mercy of the treadmill or the squat rack ahead of the race.

Instead, it’s an opportunity to collectively conquer a goal with your ladies cheering you on. There’s no set pace, and no obligation to keep your hustle on—take the race at your own speed, and remember that chances are, you’re a lot stronger than you think.

Although the event is geared to women, it’s not exclusive: teams can invite men to join them too, as long as they’re invited by a female participant. (But who are we kidding—any excuse to get away with the ladies for a weekend should be taken advantage of.)

After the huge success of last year’s first event, the 2016 course will include a handful of new obstacles: Charlie’s Angels will have you working together to climb a steep seven-foot structure, while Triple Threat will see you scrambling up a muddy slope, shuffling through a tube, and then clambering out of a pit of muddy water.

During other obstacles, like the returning Eye of the Tiger and Rise of the Shero, you’ll shimmy through mud pits and swing from long ropes.

Regardless of the obstacle, we can guarantee one thing: you are going to get dirty. But rest assured; with hard work comes some serious rewards. Following the race, get clean at a rinse station and move on to revive with food, wine, music, and your fellow Mudderellas.

Seeing as you’ll already be in one of B.C.’s most beautiful resort towns with your best friends by your side, your weekend shouldn’t end there.

Complete it with a lazy Sunday at one of Whistler’s finest spas, reserve a table at your favourite restaurant for a much needed post-race dinner or Sunday morning brunch, sip late-night cocktails at a village lounge, spend your Sunday relaxing lakeside, or mosey through the village, taking in arts and culture at one of Whistler’s galleries or museums.

If planning isn’t your thing, save yourself the trouble and book in with Whistler’s Girl’s Getaway Package on whistler.com. Starting at $99 per night, the package includes either free bath access to the Scandinave Spa, or a $50 Whistler gift card, redeemable at most restaurants, pubs and clubs in town.

The Straight has also teamed up with Tourism Whistler to offer our readers a chance to win a Mudderella prize pack that guarantees a day of some serious post-race R&R, and a stellar night out on the town. Valued at $1,800, the package includes two nights accommodation for four guests, with four entries to the race, access to Scandinave Spa baths, along with a $200 Whistler gift card… because the only thing sweeter than a weekend away with the ladies is when it’s free. Try your luck here.

Want a closer look inside the race? Check out the video below.

Buying tickets to Mudderella? Get 15 percent off any participant ticket purchase with the promo code WHISMUD! This offer is valid until Friday, September 23.