Dirty Bird — Southwestern Michigan College’s fourth annual, 3.75-mile, 20-obstacle mud run — starts at 10 a.m. Saturday.

Teams of three to five, which cross the finish arm in arm, cannot advance until each member completes an array of military-style hurdles, tires, enclosed webs, climbing walls and, new this year, a watery slide in the bowl off Dailey Road.

Fittingly, proceeds from the Dirty Bird, which requires determination, toughness and teamwork, benefit those who have served our country.

Three previous races generated almost $20,000 for student veteran scholarships.

Organizers also pay tribute to veterans by allowing participants to create free honor banners for family and friends who served in the armed forces.

A local VFW color guard and Admissions Advisor Kyle Johnson start the 2015 Dirty Bird.

Sink President Dr. David Mathews and other favorite Roadrunners in a dunk tank, face off for giant Monster pong or muscle your way through keg toss competition.

The wettest obstacle consists of a wading pond, a steep mound with a climbing rope, then a slippery slope plunging into another pool drenched by sprinklers, like a car wash.

Earthen camel humps lurk to trip up runners when footing vanishes into murky brown depths.

See dirtybird.swmich.edu for registration information.

Bernard Thomas, whose Dowagiac state football title team is celebrating its 25th anniversary, fired up participants at the third annual Dirty Bird on April 12, 2014, with Marine “oo-rah” battle cries.

“I have been a jogger since I was in college, five or six miles a day since I was 20 years old, so I can somewhat relate to what you’re doing,” Thomas said, “but there’s no mud on the road when I’m jogging. I’m not jumping over trees. I’m not crawling. I am inspired you guys do all that.”

Student Activity Center Manager Bethany Whittaker, her husband and two friends, dressed as the Incredibles, won best costume in 2014.

Besides best costume, judges will be looking for best team names, the Dirtiest Bird and the most spirited participants.

“I loved it,” Whittaker said of her first Dirty Bird. “I’ve run road races, but never a mud run like this. It was so much fun going through the obstacles as a team and not just running as an individual. I think the design of obstacles and course were a great reflection of the military.”

Friday at 8 p.m. a public country concert by Branch County’s Dani Jamerson Band gets things started, along with hayrides, s’mores around a bonfire and a haunted campus tour.

The concert is free if the event takes place outdoors.

If inclement weather moves musicians indoors, outside guests pay $5 for a ticket due to limited seating.