While the news of Battlefrog closing down its races midseason was a hard note to swallow, Bonefrog Challenge made its first, and hopefully not last appearance in GA this last weekend. Bonefrog found a great venue that has not been used by the OCR companies often, last big OCR event there was in 2011, when one of the big two made its first appearance in GA.
Rugged Maniac took the path of some of the other big name events and used the International Horsepark in Conyers, GA for their location. Unlike the other events Rugged Maniac sticks to their distance. This was an actual 5K loaded with some really great obstacles. Besides having some really good obstacles, I will get to those in a minute. Rugged Maniac set up a great festival area with things for adults and kids; and adult kids. They even allow teams to set up tents to be able to hang out it. If you are planning on doing a Rugged Maniac, be smart and plan it as an all-day event. The party is worth it.
Udder Mud Run is a fund raiser by the FFA-FHA of Georgia at their camp in Covington. While that might make it seem like a quick, low cost throw together event, Udder Mud Run is anything but that. They have some of the most fun obstacles around. This is a family friendly event with both a 7K and a 1 mile event.
Savage Race again returned to the beautiful Moonlight Stables and Equestrian Center, while some would think that this being the only place that Savage has held its events here in Georgia that they might want to change things up, having done each event here they always find ways to change things up, so the course is never the same.
The weather was perfect, nice and brisk in the morning followed by a beautiful sunny afternoon. The venue is great will plenty of hills, even a cliff, lots of water, and of course Georgia red clay. Spartan once again scouted this venue, third time at the International Horse Park in Conyers, and put together a great use of the terrain.
Wintergreen, very few events regardless of which OCR company is doing them, brings to mind such suffering. While Spartan does have events that are more difficult, this is the mass event which everyone respects. The weather this year was a huge improvement from last year. The few days leading up to the event looked like it could be a repeat of the rain and fog. But Spartans everywhere prayed to the proper gods and the skies opened to allow for beautiful views of the epic scenery and a light breeze to keep it reasonable, but in true Spartan fashion that is where the nice things ended.
Savage Race again has returned to Georgia and is again at the beautiful Moonlight Stables Equestrian Center. While the weather the week of the event was less than perfect for building the course it was great for making a wet, slick, muddy mess. Even with the rain Savage still managed to pull off a great course and some fun new obstacles.
Spartan has upped their game this year. If you have not done a Spartan in 2015, expect harder courses and harder obstacles. The Georgia 2015 Spartan Sprint was once again at the beautiful International Horse Park in Conyers. Spartan took advantage of the terrain using rolling hills, thick Georgia clay, and even the steep embankments were they could.
The hype and buzz within the World’s Toughest Community (WTM) has been crazy since the date and location was announced back in May. Tough Mudder decided with its fourth WTM to really change things up and step away from the home venue of Raceway Park in Englishtown New Jersey, and take the show out to Las Vegas. I can say I am glad I raced last year so that I did one at Raceway, but I am very happy for a change of venue. While no two events are the same, even if at the same location, the change will keep everyone guessing. Personally I think this change will have an impact on the final standings, while it will likely still be the same few ultra-elites in the top 10, I think we may see a new winner for both the male and female.
Shortly after my 21st birthday, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus. This blow was hard to handle as I had been very sick for some time and being diagnosed with both at such a young age was a hard pill to swallow. For the next eight years of my life I became very ill and spent a lot of time at the hospital. Lupus and RA were controlling my life. I had numerous surgeries, blood clots, and a detached retina.
