Bridesmaids Wear Gowns in Mud Race After Bride's Tragic Death

The bridesmaids wanted to honor their sister, who loved running and laughter.

ByABC News
September 22, 2014, 11:52 AM

— -- Four bridesmaids in central Wisconsin honored their sister, a bride-to-be who unexpectedly died, the way they say she would have wanted: with laughter and mud.

Shannon Hall, 24, was to be married Oct. 4 but died earlier this month in a car crash. She left behind four sisters and five brothers.

"Shannon was a fun-loving, caring wonderful person all around. She pushed for all us girls to do it in formals," Angela Guralski, one of her older sisters, 44, said about a muddy obstacle course. "We knew she would still want us to do it and have fun. It was a fun when we had some laughter, but it was sad also because we also missed her."

Months earlier, the nurse in training and runner had asked her four bridesmaids, all her sisters, to sign up for the Udder Mudder race in Marshfield and to participate in formal dresses.

PHOTO: This video grab shows the Hall sisters participating in the Udder Mudder race on Sept. 20, 2014 while wearing their bridesmaid dresses.
This video grab shows the Hall sisters participating in the Udder Mudder race on Sept. 20, 2014 while wearing their bridesmaid dresses.

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"It was Shannon’s idea to run it in formals back in August when we registered," Guralski told ABC News. "We weren’t going to do it in our bridesmaids' dresses."

Because they won't wear their dresses on Oct. 4, the sisters wore the floor-length bridesmaids' gowns on Saturday.

After Hall's death, friends and family -- 27 people in total -- decided to enter as a team in the 5-kilometer obstacle course that took place Saturday.

PHOTO: After Shannon Hall's death, family and friends decided to join Hall's four sisters in honoring Hall by participating in the Udder Mudder race, Sept. 20, 2014.
After Shannon Hall's death, family and friends decided to join Hall's four sisters in honoring Hall by participating in the Udder Mudder race, Sept. 20, 2014.

Hall's fiancé, Justin Cyzan, who is recovering from the car accident, took pictures at the race.

"I really missed having Shannon here, but I know she's laughing, she's smiling, she's glad we did it," Guralski told ABC affiliate in North Central Wisconsin WAOW. "It was nice to see everyone having fun and happy. It's nice to see Justin laughing and taking pictures. It really felt good. It felt good to have some happiness again."

On Hall's wedding date, the groom, close friends and family will light up fireworks and Chinese lanterns that were intended to celebrate the nuptials.