On a cloudy/rainy day, I round the turn on Beach Drive to be welcomed by a beautiful beach dwarfed by Lake Michigan. Today, I am in Muskegon, Michigan for the ForeShore Adventure Run. This was my 2nd year attempting to attack the beach. A day at the beach they said; you'll have fun they said......and that I did.
A day at the beach. Normally that sentiment will drum up fun in the sun; with family and friends enjoying a day on the sand. Today was a different twist on “a day at the beach”. Today was the ForeShore Adventure Run in Muskegon, Michigan. Located directly on Pere Marquette Beach, on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan; was to be a challenge unlike anything else I’ve experienced.
That was an interesting way of looking at the event for the day; the Indian Mud Run in Coshocton, Ohio. Held at the Coshocton City and County Park, today was the setting for an epic OCR event. Located east of Columbus and south of Cleveland; this venue allowed for competitors to attend from multiple directions. The drive-in was as much as a challenge as the course was. Rally racers dream as the windy country roads twisted and turned all the way to the park.
What could be a better venue for and OCR event than a swamp? Many might argue a mountain or ski resort, but each utilizes its own unique terrain. The aforementioned “swamp” was the Black Swamp of Oak Harbor, OH; site of this year’s Black Swamp Dash. The event, now in its 3rd season, is a quality event put on by an amazing pair of OCR enthusiasts: Troy and Sandy Anthony.
Mad River Mountain: Zanesville OH was the sight for this year’s Savage Race Ohio. The event has been held at this location for some years, and the success of the Savage series would not disappoint. A hot morning brought the competitors to the Mad River Mountain ski facility in Zanesfield, OH (a short distance Northwest of Columbus). Serene farmlands entailed the drive up to the location in the rural area; with its unassuming lack of hills? Rounding the last turn unveiled where they were hiding, and Savage Race found them.
To anyone familiar with this race venue, many images immediately appear in the mind of the competitor. Oregonia Ohio is the home to Kings Domain; a 120-acre park which would normally host conferences, weddings, and leisurely hiking. Today it was to host the venue known to many: Mud Guts and Glory.
Taking a page from the 80’s, former American Gladiators star; Dan “NITRO” Clark has created a race series! I can still remember as a kid watching these gladiators taking on the everyday Joe in a series of challenges. Looking back on it, I can now see the clear correlation between what those competitors encountered back then to what we were about to experience in Dan’s vision.
Thank you Sir, may I have another? This statement referring to the downed trees crossing the course, and I mean LOTS of downed trees. Swampfoot 4 mile is an event held on a full-time farm, with most of the obstacles remaining on the grounds throughout the year.
The flagship race for Adrenaline Rush Sports LLC is the Black Swamp Dash, located near the banks of the Portage River in Oak Harbor, OH. This was my first trip out of the state for an event, so I was excited to see some new territory, and a new event. Throughout the week, a warning of impending weather was upon me, but that’s up to the weather gods, and not the OCR world. I imagine all/most of us have experienced a little “extra” in the way of weather when it involves our events. Hot/cold, rainy, windy, snowy? Once we are signed up for an event, it’s all hands on deck, regardless of the weather.
With Warrior Dash being one of the larger race venues in OCR, I thought I would see how it stands up. With impending rough weather a good possibility on the forecast, I arrived at the event. The parking ($10) was well executed and very orderly. Creating lines of vehicles as we arrived, it was kept very organized. From there through the entrance gate to the event under the giant signage emblazoned with the Warrior Dash logo.
