Atlas Race obstacle races, mud run, and OCR information, distance, cost, dates, calendar, discounts, obstacles, reviews, and more

Battle with Atlas

I like the fact you really don't know the actual length of the course. I chose to carry hydration, others (I think) figured it was going to be 3.7 maybe 4 at the most and wouldn't carry any. It turned out to be 4.9 to 5.1 depending on whose GPS you believe. 1. The course: Very challenging course layout, much more difficult than the Spartan Sprint held this location January '15. Seemed to be more steep ups, and one particular energy zapper was a zig-zag up and down a steep loose sandy/rocky hill. Up about 25 yards, go around a cone, sharp u-turn then back down, then back up and down 3 more times? That was hard. 2. the Tyrolean traverse. POORLY regulated. Think there were 4 rope lanes and you had to traverse all the way across and the next person wasn't allowed to start until the one in front of you completely finished. some lines were moving faster than others. so if you got in a lane line with a struggling traverser, you frustratedly waited while others you beat to the obstacle, went ahead of you. Solution: As you arrive at the obstacle, have one que line to enter, then one volunteer direct people to a lane as one becomes open. Thay way, your arrival sequence is more credible. 3: In the festival area, it was a little confusing as to where to go along the route. Better lane markings. But one thing that got some people was the deception that the end was near. NOT SO. Out for about another 1/2 mix of a muddy sticky quagmire then up small hill before emptying you into the finish line shoot. 4. The whole way around, I kept thinking I better save myself some strength for the forearm grip burner of rope climb, monkey bars, lead weight drag, some kind of rope hoist, but it never came. The closest thing to a grip burner was the wall traverse that was straight (as apposed to a zig zag). But the wood grips were big and stuck out for easy handling. The only negative here was the "No touch blue or yellow painted lines on the edges or you start over" I think they should forget the lines and make the grips smaller to grab. 5. Overall it was a hard run, but not much of a upper body strength requirement. Definitely more of a runners course as obstacles were really not that difficult. One thing that I think ALL were pleased to hear was the fact you HAD to complete all obstacles. NO penalty exercise for obstacle failure. But all obstacles were "easy" and only saw one guy touch his foot to the ground on the tyrolean traverse thereby failing. As i think he should have went to the end of the line, instead he just walked back to start his attempt again right away. VERY FRUSTRATING standing there watching and waiting. Also liked the ruck bag throw. However the ruck bag carry was light and not much of a challenge. Good race overall, was a 7-8 on the difficulty, but would have liked to see more strength related obstacles especially for the Elite round.