Have you ever wondered about those races that involve crawling under barbed wire, climbing 12 foot walls, and hurdling fire? While you may see these rigorous obstacle races as an inconceivable challenge you may find that they are actually very doable!
These obstacle races are usually 5K courses, meaning that they are 3.1 miles long and are broken up by various obstacles such as water slides, splashing through a creek, jumping through tires or climbing a rock wall. They certainly aren’t your average road race, but you might find that obstacle races are fun and anyone can get involved!
Choose Your Race
We compiled a list of three of the biggest and most fun obstacle races for you to choose from! Participating in these events is an experience that you will talk about for years to come, so read on to find out how to make the most of your obstacle race experience! These can likely be found in your state or country and you can get a reduced registration rate the earlier you sign up!
Warrior Dash
The Warrior Dash is close to this writer’s heart because it was the very first obstacle race in which I participated!
Photo Credit: Hinge Photography
The Warrior Dash was full of the usual suspects: mud, fire, cargo nets, and tall walls. When you participate in the Warrior Dash you receive a t-shirt, viking hat, medal and a chip for a free beer at the end of the race! You will have the opportunity to purchase additional merchandise from their sponsor tent, a turkey leg from the concession tent or one of the many brews they have on draft! Enjoy the live music while you wait for your heat to run or stick around after the race to soak up the atmosphere.
If you so choose, you are also given the option to donate your shoes after the race! The Warrior Dash website says this, “Shoes collected at Warrior Dash will be given a second life by people around the world. USAgain will also make a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on behalf of Warrior Dash.”
If you are choosing an obstacle race near you, I highly recommend this one! Aren’t convinced? Check out these photos!
Reebok’s Spartan Race
“3+ MILES / 15+ OBSTACLES. The challenging sprint obstacle trail races are a great way to get off your couch and start living. From beginner trail racers and mud run participants to hardcore warriors, tough guys and marathon runners, they all come out to test themselves on the insane obstacle races! 99.9% of all people who try this event will finish, and 100% will have their thirst for mud & trail racing fully satisfied!” – SpartanRace.com
The Reebok Spartan Sprint is open to many countries and states making your chance of finding it near you very likely!
Other positive points about this race:
You can sign up to get the Workout of the Day daily email.
There is a $10 discount on registration for military personnel and students.
It has fire, mud, water and barbed wire.
Consider this race if you have had a hard time finding an obstacle course in your area, because it seems that they have a race everywhere you look!
Dirty Girl Mud Run
Are you looking for an obstacle race that is just for us girls? The Dirty Girl Mud Run is the race that will make you say “Yeah, I do run like a girl!” and that is a good thing! This is what the folks at Dirty Girl have to say: “Dirty Girl is a 5k womens only run for women of all ages and athletic abilities. Don’t worry, it’s not a “race” in the traditional sense.
It is an untimed obstacle course designed to push you slightly out of your comfort zone, but only as far as you are comfortable going. Forming teams is encouraged, and so is helping your fellow Dirty Girls get through to the finish. At a Dirty Girl Mud Run you’ll find excitement, laughter, and camaraderie—as well as lots of music and even some adult beverages. It’s a day you’ll never forget.”
This run even has an obstacle called PMS (Pretty Muddy Stuff) so you know that it is for women & women only, because we alone know what an “obstacle” PMS is! Sign up for this race with your girlfriends and get your run on!
So whether you decide to run on your own, with your husband, or a team of your girlfriends, you have 3 amazing races to choose from!
The one guarantee? You will be wet, muddy but completely rewarded for your effort! If you participate in one of these races be sure to let us know in the comments below or tweet us a photo by mentioning @dailymomtweets!
Happy Running!
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Kayla lives in Atlanta and is currently pregnant with her first baby, a girl. Kayla is a shoe hoarder and fashion addict. She can be found scouring Pinterest boards, fashion magazines and online boutiques in her spare time.
