CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston Mayor Danny Jones said Wednesday the city was willing to bend over backwards to make sure the Dirty Girl Mud Run took place this weekend at Cato Park.
“We were ready to go. None of this is the fault of the city,” the mayor said.
Dirty Girl announced via its Facebook page Wednesday morning, three days before the run, that the event would not take place at Cato Park on Saturday and that none of those who signed up and paid money to participate would get a refund.
This is what Dirty Girl had to say:
“Charleston Dirty Girls-
It is with great regret we inform you that the Dirty Girl Mud Run will not be held this weekend in Charleston, WV. While the city of Charleston worked diligently and closely with Dirty Girl Mud Run to take all possible steps to put on the event, it can not be held due to circumstances out of our control. We would like to thank the city of Charleston as well as the city officials for all the assistance they’ve provided. Per our policy, we will not be issuing refunds under any circumstances.”
Jones called that “criminal.”
“I don’t know how you take somebody’s money and not give it back,” he said.
According to Dirty Girl, it’s in black and white in their participation waiver under section 12.
“I acknowledge and agree that all entries are final with no refunds.”
Depending on when women signed up for the event, they shelled out anywhere from $65 to $95 for the mud run.
By Wednesday afternoon, the West Virginia Attorney General’s office had been “inundated” with complaints from those who were set to participate. Spokesperson Beth Ryan urged anyone with a consumer complaint to file one with their office online at www.wvago.gov or by calling 1-800-368-8808.
Mayor Jones called on everyone who planned to attend the Dirty Girl Mud Run to still come to Charleston and attend other events scheduled for this weekend’s Charlie West Summer Jam. That includes Live on the Levee with Donna the Buffalo, the Family Fun Day at the Clay Center, the Old Crow Medicine Show concert at Appalachian Power Park and Mountain Stage.
Jones said city leaders have been talking about trying to stage a free event in place of the Dirty Girl Mud Run.
“We stand ready to try and do something but we don’t have anything right now,” according to Jones.