Category: Race Profiles

  • Spartan Race [Race Profile]

    Spartan Race [Race Profile]

    The Spartan Race series recently partnered with Reebok to help bring obstacle racing more legitimacy in the sporting world. The goal here is not to change the way Spartan Race series does their events, but to take it to another level like they did with CrossFit (if you haven’t seen the hot bodies running around at the Reebok CrossFit games you really need to get off the couch…like now). Even with the goal of bringing obstacle racing to the next level, there were people who questioned whether or not Joe and the Spartan camp had sold out. They thought maybe things were going to become more corporate and lose some of the aspects that make Spartan Race series one of the most popular race series out there. Well I am here to tell you that simply isn’t the case.

    [youtube id=”M4aM0fpS0IU” width=”600″ height=”350″]

    Having run Spartan races before the Reebok partnership and after all I can see that is different is that Reeboks name is on banners and t-shirts. Outside of that the good folks at Spartan Race haven’t changed anything. It’s still the same high energy, hot bodied, kick your ass race series its always been. If anything the Reebok partnership has inspired the crazies at Spartan Race to up their game where it matters, on the course.

    The SoCal Super Spartan in Temecula, CA was the first race since the partnership was announced,and it was a blast. Sure the weather sucked (rain in SoCal even in January is a bit out of place) but it didn’t stop thousands of folks from coming out and getting it done across the 8.5 miles of hills and 29 obstacles (yep 29, that was the official word from the Spartan folks, but honestly it felt more like 40 by the time you were done).

    There was the beer garden after you were finished, some food trucks with great pulled pork, loud music, a swag tent in case you needed stuff, oh yeah and men and women in as little clothing as they could get away with out on the course. No big fancy elaborate costumes at Spartan races, there is no room for them. You aren’t doing a mild jog up and down some muddy hills, no sir. People take these races seriously and that suits Joe and his crew just fine since their goal is to get as many people off the couch and moving as they can.

    Talking to some of the staff they all feel the same way. They are dedicated to using obstacle racing to change the bad habits of the fast food, easy living, millions in America (and the world) who have let themselves go an don’t know what living life is supposed to be like. Most people are hooked after one race. This race has literally changed lives. It is a kick you in your ass and never let up course that demands your respect and your attention. You will push, pull, cry, beg, and yell your way through a Spartan race. When its over you will understand what they mean when they say:

    “You’ll know at the finish line”

  • Rugged Maniac [Race Profile]

    Rugged Maniac [Race Profile]

    Deemed one of America’s best obstacle races, the Rugged Maniac is as straightforward and genuine as they come.

    A 5K run with 25 obstacles, live music and bountiful stock of booze. Is there  a better way to spend a weekend morning or afternoon? I think not.

    After the race — or if you’re simply not racing and want to enjoy a good party — hang out at a designated festival area with activities like mechanical bull-riding, tug-o-war and, YES, an adult-size bounce house. Huzzah! Rock out to live music and snag a free craft beer while wearing your race t-shirt. That’s the way to do it.

    rugged maniac website

    While some compete for a timed finish, most come out to enjoy the 25 obstacles laid out over hilly terrains like forests, fields, ski slopes and motocross tracks., which will test your mettle in more ways than one.  Some of them include:

    • Climbing 20-f0ot walls
    • Jumping over fire
    • Navigating mud tunnels

    Race heats are limited to 250 participants to avoid long lines.

    2013 Rugged Maniac Obstacle Race Schedule

    See below dates for the 2013 Rugged Maniac locations. For prices and more information, you can visit ruggedmaniac.com.

    2013 rugged maniac obstacle race schedule

  • GORUCK Challenge [Race Profile]

    GORUCK Challenge [Race Profile]

    The GORUCK Challenge is not a race.

    We have to put this in here or the ex-special forces ops who put GORUCK together will show up at our house in the middle of the night for a “talk”. No, the GORUCK Challenge is an event of epic proportions testing the limits of your endurance and mental capacity to persevere. The official motto of the GRC (GORUCK Challenge for short) is:

    8-10 hours. 15-20 miles. Good livin’.

    8–10 hours. 15-20 miles. AKA Hell on earth (or as the GoRuck cadres say, “good livin’”). Yes, they are as nuts as they sound.

    What exactly happens at each of the challenges is sort of a mystery. Every GORUCK Challenge depends on the city and it’s attributess – which adds to the fun – every race *ahem* challenge is different. And, true to their special ops background, the GORUCK cadre leaders don’t even give you the starting point until the week of the actual challenge. You know, they gotta keep things under wraps.

    What Exactly Is In The GORUCK Challenge?

    Well, it is pretty hard to explain. The best best is to get it directly with our interview with GORUCK Challenge Lead Cadre Lou Lepsh. Also, we talked to GORUCK and they put this image sequence together for us. We think it explains itself pretty well.

    You’ll probably get wet, have to pick up really large objects (logs, bricks, etc), work together as a team and of course, do some serious running/walking/jogging to cover all those miles in such little time. You should make sure you’re in tip-top shape when you’re thinking about taking this on.

    You can sign up with a friend, but during the GORUCK everyone is a team. You must be 18 to participate (we assume this is so that you can sign your own death waiver – seriously, they have one). Roughly 94% of participants and those who do receive a solid dose of pride along with THE GORUCK patch – that’s never for sale. Welcome to the GORUCK family.

    Training For The GORUCK Challenge

    Think the challenge sounds tough? So do we. We went through and started to dig for a GORUCK training regimen – you know, maybe they might have something like the Tough Mudder training video. No such luck with the GORUCK Challenge. Looks like you’re on your own.

    Beer, aka the latest in advanced cellular repair technology, is the official drink of the GORUCK Challenge. Don’t take the Challenge so seriously. Go for a run or two, have fun, and just do it. It’s all mental.

    Thanks for the advice guys.

    Drink beer and it’s all mental. Well, 15-20 miles sounds pretty dang physical to me! But, if they tell us to drink some beer – I guess we won’t argue too much.

    That’s it. Seriously. They keep the GORUCK Challenge shrouded in mystery. If you want to learn more, you’re just going to have to sign up and find out for yourself. We did end up wrangling this video out of the GORUCK’s cadres hands to give you a sneak peak at what you’re in for if you do decide to take the GORuck plunge. Good luck!

    [youtube id=”rk2LWZ3_7xg” width=”600″ height=”350″]

  • Zombie Race / Run For Your Lives [Race Profile]

    Zombie Race / Run For Your Lives [Race Profile]

    Are you ready for the zombie apocalypse?

    Run For Your Lives, a 5K obstacle race, prepares anxious humans for a post-apocalyptic world. A world where zombies roam the streets in search of brains.

    zombie obstacle race cleaning
    Getting hosed off after the race

    First organized in 2011 at Camp Ramblewood in Baltimore, MD, Run For Your Lives attracted 12,000 people and in 2012 expanded to 11 more locations. Registrants can either sign up as a zombie or as obstacle race participants. Zombies are encouraged to show up in their own costume, though they are supplied with wardrobe and professional make-up.

    At the race in Amesbury Sports Park, I saw cowboy zombies, clown zombies, graduation zombies — you name it.

    The Zombie Obstacle Race Course

    So how does the race work, exactly? Well, like other obstacle races, participants trudge through mud and physically taxing obstacles. Throughout the course, zombies are positioned to try and steal one of 3 flags that each participant wears. It’s similar to flag football, though much more startling–I had zombies sneak up from behind, dart out from behind trees and leap up out of ditches. Fun stuff.

    zombie race hill
    In Amesbury, the first obstacle was a large hill.

    Participants are placed in waves of 300-450 people, depending on the course. Obstacles are natural and man-made. At the race in Amesbury, I ran through chest deep water and mud, crawled under an electric fence, sprinted through a zombie-infested open field and nearly fell into a trap following a sign through a door that said, “Free Cookies in Here!”

    Alan Perlman Zombie Race

    Throughout, but mostly after the race, the Apocalypse Party features food, drinks, vendors, live music and games. Camping is highly encouraged.

    How I Would Survive the Zombie Apocalypse

    With a shot gun, of course. And some duct tape.

    Despite a triumphant battle, my third flag was ungraciously yanked from my loins about two-thirds of the way into the course. Of the 5 other members on my team, one person survived! Again…shot gun.

    Zombie Obstacle Race

     

  • Kona Ironman World Championship [Race Profile]

    Kona Ironman World Championship [Race Profile]

    Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life! – The Ironman Motto

    Introducing, the Kona Ironman World Championship.

    The coup de gras of the triathlon. The pinnacle of the

    sport. But how did this insane test of endurance come about? We’re so glad you asked.

    The Start

    Ironman Swim

    It all got started in 1978. In Oahu, Hawaii, following a running race, a debate broke out between endurance swimmers and runners. Who was the better athlete? Both slides remained unflinching. Meanwhile, someone claims that cyclists have the highest VO2 output (a measure of cardiovascular endurance).

    A challenge was born. Navy commander John Collins suggested that a combined race could finally settle the argument once and for all. As a result, the 3 longest distance races on Hawaii at the time were combined into an epic endurance race:

    1. The Waikiki Roughwater Swim (2.4 mile / 3.86km swim)
    2. The Around-Oahu Bike Race (115 miles / 185.07km bike)
    3. The Honolulu Marathon (26.2 miles / 42.195 km run)
    Collins recalls saying;
    “The gun will go off about 7 a.m., the clock will keep running and whoever finishes first we’ll call the Ironman.”

    Because the race needed to have consecutive legs, the bike race was shortened 3 miles to 112 miles so it would end at the marathon starting line. This meant the official distance for the first Ironman race ever was a total 140.6 total miles – and it’s been the same ever since. Whew! 12 people–including Collins–competed in that first race and Gordon Haller, a taxi cab driver at the time, crossed the finish line first and became the “original” Ironman with a time of 11 hours, 46 minutes and 58 seconds.


    Ironman Bike

    The race was held on Oahu until 1981, when it was moved to the Big Island of Hawaii where it now has its namesake of the “Kona Ironman.” The lesser populated island has proved to be an infamous location, daring athletes to brave 45mph crosswinds and 95 degree heat. The Kona Ironman is truly the ultimate test of endurance.

    Kona Ironman, Memorable Finishes

    Ironman Run

    Julie Moss 1982

    Named one of the most defining sports moments of sport by ABC Sport, Julie Moss’s Ironman finish in 1982 shot the sport of triathlon into the mainstream. With just a few minutes of televised footage, Moss turned a fringe sport into an international competitive sport. So what was so extraordinary about this? Moss was a 23-year old physiology student racing as part of a research experiment and surprisingly found herself out in front of the women’s course with just a few hundred yards left – her body began to fail and she could barely walk.

    Unable to keep moving forward on foot, Moss dropped to her knees and began to crawl towards the finish line. Just yards away from being done, Julie was passed by Kathleen McCarty who won the race. Undeterred, Moss, while being watched by millions, continued to crawl across the finish line where she collapsed capping off a race finish that truly has to be seen to be believed. Luckily, we have that video for you right here.

    [youtube id=”VbWsQMabczM” width=”600″ height=”350″]

    Sian Welch & Wendy Ingraham – The Crawl – 1997

    Channeling memories of Julie Moss’s ghost, Sian Welch and Wendy Ingraham experienced one of the very similar endings as Julie 15 years later. Just a few yards away from the finish line as they were entering the final shoot, both competitors collapsed. As they struggled to get up and continue racing, they discovered their body simple had nothing left. With their ability to walk, gone, they both began to crawl towards the finish line with Wendy Ingraham pulling ahead at the end with Sian Welch right behind her. Once again, a memorable finish you have to see to fully experience.

    [youtube id=”MTn1v5TGK_w” width=”600″ height=”350″]

    Kona Ironman Current Records

    Craig Alexander of Australia holds the current men’s Ironman course record with a finish time of 8 hours, 3 minutes and 56 seconds. Chrissie Wellington of Great Britain set the women’s course record in 2009 with a record time of 8 hours, 54 minutes and 2 seconds. Needless to say, these finishers were moving!

    Qualifying For The Kona Ironman

    Ironman Finish

    After the incredible televised finishes and the seemingly incredible distances athletes have to cross, the Ironman entry has become a hot ticket item in endurance racing. To handle the demand, Kona race organizers developed a qualifying system. Instead of an open registration, athletes can qualify 1 of 3 ways.

    • Earn a qualifying spot at a Ironman World Championship qualifying event (these can be either the 70.3 or 140.6 Ironman branded races)
    • Win a slot through the Kona lottery selection program
    • Win a slot through the Kona Ironman eBay auction.
    If you manage to get a slot, you’ll get to pay around $750 to participate in one of the most incredible races on earth (not to mention one of the most taxing). So if you’re up for it, remember the Ironman athletes’ motto:

    “Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life!”

    Do you have what it takes to be called an Ironman?

    ___

    If you’re interested in running an Ironman..it all starts with a Sprint Triathlon. While Ironman athletes might look like Superman, they all had to start somewhere. Most triathletes start out with a sprint triathlon and despite what you might think, no matter your fitness level, you can train for a sprint triathlon in just 3 months. Give it a shot.

    photo credit: MACCALIVE via photo pin cc
    photo credit: MACCALIVE via photo pin cc
    photo credit: MACCALIVE via photo pin cc
    photo credit: MACCALIVE via photo pin cc

  • The Inca Rally [Race Profile]

    The Inca Rally [Race Profile]

    This is a guest race profile by Ian Cartwright who will participate in the Inca Rally this year.

    Introducing, The Inca Rally.

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    A unique race, never attempted before – from Peru to Guyana in 3 weeks, going through Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela. The adventure begins on 1st of August 2012! Do you dare to take it on?

    What is ‘The Inca Rally’?

    Imagine blitzing across the Peruvian Andes, hustling through Ecuadorian deserts and Colombian plains, cruising through Venezuela’s Caribbean coastline and plunging into the depths of the Guyanese Amazonian jungle in just under 3 weeks. That’s The Inca Rally.

    As you race along its 8,000 km route, you will experience one of the most stunning landscape ranges and mingle amongst some of the most exciting cultures of any rally. You will party the nights away in the different capitals, learn about great community projects en route and challenge yourself throughout with all the other racers that you meet.

    This is real adventure. With a purpose.

    driving on a road towards mountains

    The Route

    The rally is an unsupported and untested charity race across South America’s most challenging terrains; taking racers from Peru to Guyana through Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela in 3 weeks.

    These are the countries once fabled to be home to the mythical golden city of El Dorado, believed for centuries to be hidden deep in the South American jungle. Along the way, racers will climb vertiginous Andean peaks, cruise through vast plains, bask in the Caribbean sun and plunge into the Amazonian basin. There is no official route – just parties organised in each capital for the drivers who make it that far.

    This is the first and only rally to cross this challenging section of South America, from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean beaches.

    • Peru  Lima – 1st Aug 2012
    • Ecuador  Quito – 5th Aug 2012
    • Colombia  Bogota – 9th Aug 2012
    • Venezuela  Caracas – 13th Aug 2012
    • Guyana  Georgetown – 18th Aug 2012

    The Charities

    As a social enterprise, we are highly committed to our charitable causes. Each year drivers vote for one of three chosen charities to receive funds they’ve raised for the rally. 2012 nominees are Incawasi, a Peruvian charity trying to break the cycle of family poverty; EveryChild, working to prevent children from growing up vulnerable and alone; and Survival International, campaigning for tribal people’s rights worldwide.  All three charities operate in countries along our route.

    Requirements

    We love the roads less traveled, the local communities and the foreign cultures. We seek the unexpected, the challenges and the victories. We do all this to challenge ourselves and help others.

    Here at the Inca Rally, we get a kick out of hurtling ourselves headfirst into the unknown armed with just a questionable overconfidence in our ability to be resourceful enough to get out of any sticky situations. So that is what we are about. Shaking the safe monotony of daily life and plunging straight into adventurous randomness.

    Are you up for the challenge? You can find out more information on the Inca Rally official website. Sign up as an individual and join an existing team, or rally your friends together and fundraise for a team of your own.

    The expedition starts August 2012.

  • Race Across America (RAAM) [Race Profile]

    Race Across America (RAAM) [Race Profile]

    Have you ever visited a restaurant serving the “worlds best burger”, an ice cream shop with the “world’s best milkshake” or a beachside stand claiming the “worlds best fish tacos”?

    The whole world title thing is a bit overused.  Usually the burgers are dry, the shakes aren’t creamy, and the fish tacos are, well, fish tacos.  It’s just a bunch of marketing nonsense.

    RAAM is known as The World’s Toughest Bike Race.

    In this case it’s not an overhyped claim.

    It’s a fact.

    It all began in 1982 when four people got together at the Santa Monica Pier on the pacific coast near LA, mounted their two-wheelers, and started racing.  The finish line was a little bit further down the road, at the Empire State Building in New York City.

    The Race Across America (RAAM) was born.

    Worldwide attention is not surprising, due to the sheer insanity of the undertaking, and what these athletes must accomplish to earn the title of “RAAM Finisher.”

    Riders have a maximum of 12 days to ride 3000 miles from Oceanside, CA to Annapolis, MD.  It’s an epic coast-to-coast battle of endurance, focus, and sheer will.

    RAAM Route

    If you are quick at math you may have figured out that a rider must average around 250-300 miles a day to finish in the allotted timeframe.  Try doing that in one day, let alone 10 or 12 in a row.

    But that’s not all.

    This race has no stages, unlike the Tour de France for example.  At the start line the clock begins, and it never stops.  It keeps on ticking until the athlete gets to the east coast.   RAAM is 30% longer than the Tour de France and must be finished in roughly half the time, with zero rest days.

    But when are they supposed to sleep you ask?  Um yeah, apparently there isn’t much slumbering going on.

    Frontrunners sleep as little as 90 minutes a day.  To even have a chance of finishing in 12 days a solo racer can’t sleep for more than 4 hours a day.

    In the process they will climb some 170,000 vertical feet, while battling the elements as well as their own physical and mental fatigue.

    Grueling.  Gutsy.  Insane.

    There are a total of four race categories:  Solo, 2-person, 4-person, and 8-person.  Within those are subsets broken down by gender, age, and type of bike used.

    The teams are run like a relay.  While one team member is racing the others are catching a snooze.

    Solo riders don’t have this option.

    Both solo and team riders operate with a mandatory crew, typically consisting of 8-12 people in 2-4 chase vehicles.  Crews are responsible for supporting the racer with any and all logistical pieces including food, bike repair, clothing, and other needs.  Perhaps most importantly they cheer their rider on, making sure to keep spirits high, and the pedals cranking.

    This allows the rider to focus on one thing only, the race.

    And what a mental battle it must be.  Simply staying up with little sleep for nearly two weeks is enough to push somebody over the edge.  When you add in extreme physical activity and outside forces like desert heat, mountain passes, rain, wind, traffic, and treacherous roads, it becomes clear why this race is so incredibly challenging.

    Then there is the looming idea of throwing in the towel, cutting your losses, quitting.

    When you push yourself so hard, for so long, with no sleep, this will enter an athlete’s psyche.  It’s another very real obstacle to overcome.

    Like all athletes, racers have their own personal reasons to take on such a daunting task.  Many individuals raise money for a cause adding the side benefit of helping out others in the process.  Millions have been donated to charities as a result of RAAM.

    Taking a cross continent bike ride is on many a bucket list.  Racing across country is an entirely different animal, especially given these intense parameters.

    Do you have what it takes?

    RAAM takes place annually, for information on how to qualify to participate visit RAAM’s official site.

    The Worlds Toughest Bike Race?  I say hell yes!

    What are your thoughts on RAAM?  Leave comments below. Also, if you find out where the world’s best burger is, we’d like to know.

    This post is sponsored by U.K. bike shop, bikesnbits — Get Dawes Bikes.

     

  • Tour d’ Afrique [Race Profile]

    Tour d’ Afrique [Race Profile]

    This is a guest race profile by Natalie Sisson who’s riding the Tour d’ Afrique herself this year.

    Tour d’Afrique

    If cycling almost 12,000 km across Africa, from Cairo to Capetown sounds like fun to you, then Tour d’Afrique may be the bike expedition you’ve been waiting for. This bike race across Africa runs every year starting in January and finishing in May.

    “The Tour d’Afrique is the ultimate test of endurance and tenacity amidst some of the most beautiful environments and cultures in the world. Each day yields new and unexpected challenges, discoveries and friendships. Riding a bicycle is the perfect pace for exploring and encountering Africa on the outside and one’s own personal limits on the inside.” – Erin Sprague TDA 2010

    Entering it’s 10th anniversary, this is not for the faint hearted. Every day you will clock between 120-200km (75-125 miles), for 5-6 days straight over four months! You can either race it (around 25% of riders do this), or just make it through by riding to finish it. This expedition aims to test your endurance and spirit, physically, mentally and emotionally.

    The tour is broken down into 8 sections.

    Tour Leg Route Distance
    Pharaoh’s Delight Cairo – Khartoum 1,956 km
    The Gorge Khartoum – Addis Ababa 1,624 km
    Meltdown Madness Addis Ababa – Nairobi 1,687 km
    Masai Steppe Nairobi – Mbeya 1,214 km
    Malawi Gin Mbeya – Lilongwe 757 km
    Zambezi Zone Lilongwe – Victoria Falls 1,213 km
    Elephant Highway Victoria Falls – Windhoek 1,541 km
    Diamond Coast Windhoek – Cape Town 1,726 km

    You can choose to do the full tour or part of it, or just ride a section. I’m riding from Nairobi to Capetown in two months which is still just over 4,000 miles.

    tour-d-afrique

    The Tour d’ Afrique Course

    The terrain is hugely varied and each year it differs with some roads having been paved while others have deterioriated. That’s why it’s recommended you take a mountain bike with a spare set of road tyres and front forks you can lock out.

    From paved road through to corrugated, rutted, loose sand and hard packed gravel, you will be hitting some serious hills as well as muddy potholed roads when it rains too. The best thing to do is always expect the unexpected and get ready for some tough riding.

    What’s Provided

    Aside from a life changing experience, the Tour d’ Afrique organizing crew make sure you’re provided with camping sites, nutrition, tour organization and support – not to mention an unforgettable journey. They have two large trucks that take your gear to the next campsite each day so that you can focus less on gear and more on the grueling task of cycling.

    There is no luxury here however, the constant riding means you will have a sore ass and there will be days when you won’t be able to move out of your sleeping bag, let alone be able to climb on your bike to tackle some unrelenting terrain all over again.

    On the rest days you get to take a look around the “major” town you’re in, sample the local cuisine, jump online to share your tales with friends and loved ones back home and even treat yourself to a night at a lodge with a hot shower and bed….bliss.

    All this will set you back over 5,000 euros or around US$8,000. This does not include your flight, insurance, visas, immunizations and extra side trips like organized safaris you can choose to partake in. Nor does it include lodges or food on rest days. If you want to do the full race, you’re looking at a nice little figure of 9,400 euros or around US$12,500. So if you take the plunge, you better be committed to finishing!

    Personally, I’m budgeting around US$15,000 to cover all these costs, plus the bike, bike parts, camping and riding gear and anything else I think might come in handy in Africa!

    Daily Ritual

    If you’re not a morning person, the idea of waking up between 5:30 and 6:30 AM won’t appeal. you’ll have to get used to changing timezones, climate and hours of daylight too. Each day when you get up you pack up your camping gear and personal belongings, and eat breakfast that’s been prepared for you and then jump on your bike.

    Along the way you’ll be given more water, lunch and some snacks to last you through to when you reach camp again. You’ll be riding with anywhere from 25-50 other nutters who decided that riding the length of Africa was a good idea.

    Every evening, you’ll be given a rider briefing before dinner that will take you through the following day’s route, including navigation, hazards, interesting sites and accommodations. For every new country you visit you’ll also learn about the scenery, food, geography and history, and what to expect in terms of cycling through this country.

    The Takeaway

    After the course of 94 cycling days (each averaging 123km each), 24 rest days and 2 days of ferry boat travel (over 120 total days of travel), you’ll have traversed the entirety of Africa, from North to South. Over the course of the race, you’ll pass through 10 countries, along the Nile, past ancient temples, through the equator, past Mount Kilaminjaro, past the beautiful Victoria Falls, and finally arrive in Capetown – that is, if you can make it all the way there.

    Are you up for the challenge? You can find more information on the Tour d’ Afrique on their official website.

    You can follow me on the ride of my life when my expedition starting March 12th

  • Warrior Dash [Race Profile]

    Warrior Dash [Race Profile]

    Adding to our list of obstacle races is the Warrior Dash. Based on a very short and unscientific poll I made, this seems to be the most well known adventure race. Although the Warrior Dash brands itself similar to the Tough Mudder, the Warrior Dash is really much more similar to the Mudathlon or the Spartan Race.

    Warrior Dash Obstacles

    This 3-4 mile obstacle race boasts almost 30 locations around the U.S. and is expanding fast. While each location has a variety of courses and no two races are the same, there are some staples obstacles that will conveniently show up no matter where you are.

    1. The Great Warrior Wall
    Grab a rope and start climbing! This 10+ foot wall has a few footholds, but just grab the rope and haul yourself up. Once you get to the top, you need to figure out a way to get down (besides falling). This obstacle takes longer to get through than others, so if there’s a line just sit back and enjoy watching people do things in the name of an obstacle course.

    2. Warrior Roast – The Fire Pit
    Fire in the middle of the course. Yea, that’s right. As you enter the final stretches of the race, you’ll see a few strips of blazing fire. The only way to get around them is to hurdle them like you’re in a high school track meet. Actually, to be fair, if you really want to go “full-Warrior” you can take off your shoes and walk right through it like a boss – just don’t blame us if you get burned!

    3. Muddy Mayhem – The Barbed-Wire Mud Pit
    At the end of most races, there is a barbed wire mud pit. A section at least 30-50 yards long of 2-3 feet deep of glorious mud. On top of that, there’s real barbed wire suspended about a foot over the actual mud pit. This means – you got it – that you are guaranteed to come out of this thing soaked with mud if you somehow managed to get through the rest of the race completely clean.

    Once you’re through, grab a banana and water while you rehydrate and head over to the celebration area. There, you can grab yourself a turkey leg and pick up your free beer and really start celebrating like the true Warrior you are.

    If you’re new to obstacle races, the Warrior Dash is a great way to get started. If you’re a veteran, it’s a good excuse to get outside and do a 5k in an unconventional setting and have some fun with your friends. However, if you’re looking for an obstacle course that’s a different level of challenge, you’ll probably want to check out the Tough Mudder.

    Happy Mudding!

  • La Ruta de los Conquistadores [Race Profile]

    La Ruta de los Conquistadores [Race Profile]

    La Ruta de los Conquistadores begins today and runs through November 5th. Stay tuned for any developments from the race! Check out the official website here: http://larutadelosconquistadores.com/ruta2011/

    Held annually in mid-November and starting in the small Pacific Coast beach town of Jacó, Costa Rica, La Ruta de los Conquistadores is a coast-to-coast mountain biking race that follows the route taken by the Spanish Conquistadors led by Juan De Cavallón in the sixteenth century.

    Undoubtedly one of the most difficult athletic events on the planet, La Ruta attracts hundreds of the very best mountain bikers and endurance racers from around the world each year. The unique and daunting Costa Rican territory is so harsh that, back in 1540, it took the Conquistadors 20 years to cross it—today, modern-day racers do it in 4 days.

    That’s intense.

    La Ruta de los Conquistadores Break

    La Ruta de los Conquistadores Course

    The course covers 240 miles and, between its sea-level start and finish, crosses 5 mountain ranges with a cumulative climb of 39,000 feet. You read that right. 39,000 feet.

    The terrain is varied and covers every imaginable riding surface, from gravel to pavement, hard-packed dirt, thigh-deep mud, volcano ash, sand, fireroad trails, singletrack and more.

    Racers ride through jungle, over active volcanoes, through farms, coffee fields, forests and small villages. They experience Costa Rica’s hot tropical climate as well as its cold-high mountain temperatures. The highest point in this grueling odyssey is the Irazú Volcano, which towers over San José at an altitude of 11,259 feet.

    Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, packing a full 5% of the Earth’s species of birds, plants and animals onto just 0.01% of the planet’s land mass. La Ruta’s course takes racers through nine of the country’s twelve different microclimates, soaking them, freezing them, sweltering them—it’s a hell of a course.

    La Ruta de los Conquistadores Scene

    History of La Ruta de los Conquistadores

    Román Urbina, a native Costa Rican, started the event in 1992. Urbina, an elite athlete known for staging challenges to publicize Costa Rica’s endangered wildlife, decided to retrace the Conquistadores’ steps on his mountain bike with 34 fellow adventurers. They battled coastal heat, climbed up active volcanoes, forded rushing rivers by shouldering their bikes and skidded through mud—one of the original racers offered up $50 to whomever managed to finish first.

    For the next twelve years, only local Costa Ricans competed. In November 2005, Swiss racer Thomas Frischknecht won the race and a year later, Colombian Leonardo Páez took the crown. Costa Rica’s Federico Ramírez is the course’s legend, having won La Ruta five separate times. These days, at least a couple hundred riders attempt the annual course, the majority of them international. It’s been estimated that roughly 10% of the riders are women.

    La Ruta de los Conquistadores is a personal growth experience. While a few race La Ruta, most are just happy to finish the course. The race is about appreciating Costa Rica’s unique and natural beauty, about challenging yourself to survive arduous adversities.

    [images via Zero Kelvin / Tico]