Last weekend, Jerry and I enjoyed our first weekend off in awhile. However, prior to that we did two mud runs in back to back weekends. First was The Ninja Challenge in Fuquay-Varina and the second was the Rugged Maniac in Rockingham. We raced in both of these races in previous years, and we had one same old, same old, and the other with many successes.
Are You Ninja?
The Ninja Challenge has its biggest challenge because it runs you up and down a hill. The obstacles have changed only slightly over the past 3 years. Maybe we've done too many races, but we generally thought this race was pretty similar to the past. We knew what to expect and in an hour we were done... on to the next.
There are some high points for this race:
- Parking. The parking is easy. It is a wide open field and you can get in and out easily. You're also close to your car, so it's very convenient.
- Charity. This race is for the local Red Cross and for the Triangle Aquatic Center to promote swimming safety and drowning prevention. I like that my money goes to charity, but maybe not enough to go back next year.
- Medals. They upped the ante this year with medals in the shape of a Ninja Star. VERY COOL!
Unfortunately, these races are all about the experience and I have to say that I felt like I had this experience already last year, and the year before that. Short of overhauling the course and changing up the obstacles, I think we'll be passing on this race when next year rolls around.
Are you Rugged?
Yes we are! So last year's race was an absolute debacle. Again, I was pregnant and not able to run. Enter stage left brother Scott to save the day. Scott flew down over his spring break and was able to run with Jerry. This race was in Asheboro at a dirt bike park. There were tons of hills where dirt bikes would ride. The weather and planning for this event was an absolute disaster.
Now, I definitely understand that the planners did not have control of the weather. I used to have to explain that to the chaperones from Europe when I worked for Study Tours at Rider. I realize that they could not have predicted one of the coldest and rainiest days in April when the weather is typically fair. However, that's not the worst part about the race.
The parking was at a community college. We had to get on a school bus and ride to the site. The coach bus that the planners had contracted did not realize that they would be transporting muddy people after the race and backed out that morning to protect their buses. Thus, they got school buses that morning. Well, the bus drivers didn't know where they were going and we had to point them in the right direction.
Next, the course was so muddy and slick that it was impossible to run and not worry about twisting an ankle. It was freezing, which made the water obstacles worse for Scott and Jerry. After walking half the race we boarded the bus back to our car. When we arrived at our car there was a line approximately 300 people long to board the buses to the site. People weren't happy.
However, the redeeming race of 2015 arrived. We decided to give this one more shot. We had seen that they had gone on Shark Tank and that Mark Cuban was backing the race. We could only hope that there was going to be improvements. We were right.
Rockingham Speedway was the perfect venue.
- Parking. There was plenty of parking on-site, which is always a plus.
- Spectator area. There were so many obstacles that could be seen by spectators, which was also fantastic. You want your family and friends to feel like they're part of the day.
- Obstacles. The obstacles were fresh.They all had cool names to go along with them, which made it fun. There was a trampoline onto a cargo net, a vertical wall like in America Ninja Warrior, and walking across a balance beam while dodging swinging bags. They were also challenging and had us running up and down stadium steps. The best part is the slide at the end to culminate your victory.
- T-shirts. The shirts we received were so soft and the women's shirt had an awesome fit.
- Date. This event occurred in May and although it was hot, at least it wasn't freezing and rainy.
The fire was hot!
Overall, Rugged Maniac turned it around and needless to say, they have our business for at least another year.
Do you have positive event experiences to share?