Building & Crashing The Spartan Race

What’s better than running your first Spartan Race? Building the course for your first Spartan Race THEN running it for free!

That’s exactly what we did. Well technically most of us were already registered, but we received race credit for a future event. On top of that, this race was one of Spartan Race’s ballpark series. It would be held at Citi Field Stadium!

Wednesday April 10th – Build Day 1

Marc and I arrived at the stadium and got in contact with out POC, Jen. Our first task would be to unbox and build about 40 rowing machines. This is the first time either of us have participated in anything Spartan Race related so we had no idea what to expect. For Marc it would be his first obstacle event period. Turns out one of the obstacles on the course would be to row 500 meters in 2 minutes.

After the rowers, 2 trucks arrived. One was filled with never ending fencing which we had to unload. Good thing it was right before lunch, because we definitely needed that fuel. We just kept pulling them out and there seemed to always be more. The second truck housed pretty much the entire course. I was surprised that everything was able to fit into a single trailer. The monkey bars, cargo nets, spears, weighted stones, box jumps, walls; all of it was in that truck. It was heavy work but we it was a good time. The entire crew and build volunteers were characters and most definitely hard working.

It was an experience being part of the build team. Not only did we see first hand all the effort it takes to get a race setup but we had access to just about every part of the stadium because the race would go THROUGH every part of the stadium! There would be sections in the top bleachers, the dugout, even the locker room. It was a great day all around. Bright sunny and warm. We had such a good time we decided to come back on Friday for even more course building fun and with another Rise Fitness Club member. James would be joining Marc and myself on day 2.

Friday April 12th – Build Day 2

A storm was coming in as we were putting down tools on our first day just two days prior. That storm raged on Thursday and the rain kept up all through Friday. This would be a more challenging build day. We were out in the rain for most of it (good thing I brought ponchos with me). Cold and wet was the name of the game that day. If it wasn’t the rain it was the wind cutting through the stadium. Still, we had a good time. At least I did. By now many of the obstacles were set up and it was starting to really look like a race course. We left around 7PM and knew that the crew would be putting in even more hours to get everything prepped for event day. I have so much respect for the the long hard hours everyone on the Spartan team puts in to deliver what is rated the number 1 obstacle course in the country. That title is well earned by sweat and effort behind the scenes.

Saturday April 13th – Race Day!

There would be 7 members of the Rise Fit Club running the event and another 2 recording. Our youngest, Ben (11 yrs old), would be the first to earn a medal as we all cheered him on alongside his father James. That was one of the highlights of the day. It was great watching as one of our brothers saw his son through the kids course. All I could think of was how great it would be to see my own son do the same (he’s only 2). Ben earning his medal set the tone. This day would be one hell of a family day.

It wasn’t long before it was our turn on the adult course. I’ve done other events but it feels completely different when you have a hand in building and setting up the actual course. Seeing it from the “other side” gives you a little more respect for the run. We finally lined up at the start and it turns out the announcer was one of our own. A fellow nerd. A comic geek!

“Nightwing!! is that Nightwing!” – For a moment we weren’t at Spartan Race. We were at Comic Con! which is funny because that’s actually how Matt and I met. Matt showed up to the Spartan Race dressed as Nightwing as part of a promotion for Project Triforce. Matt is actually the sales director for Project Triforce, and to promote their line of Injustice replicas, he was chosen to dress as Nightwing via online voting (we tried to vote him in as Harley Quinn but we failed in the attempt). Our race announcer was in fact a well known cosplayer Dustin Dorough which is why he called out when he saw Nightwing lined up. It was a great geek moment!…and oddly enough I wasn’t a part of it. This was actually one of the only races I have participated in which I myself was not dressed up as some costumed hero.

Moments later we were off and we knew exactly what to expect. Fun. That’s all we had on that course. Fun. There was such a positive atmosphere all around. We all had our rucks on, as we were newly anointed GRT and as is often done, crashed the event Goruck style (with rucks). We were also representing the FCancer Campaign. This is a cause near and dear to us all especially Matt S. He was sporting his patch on his arm while Greg and I had ours on our rucks. A little added incentive to perform at our best.

The obstacles were great especially the series at the tail end. There was a set of 4 in particular that was the toughest part of the whole course due to their proximity to one another and the difficulty in general. It started with the rowers we had built. 500 meters in 2 min. You’ll know your result when the display shows “Aroo” upon success and “Burpees for you!” if you fail. If you didn’t know, any obstacle that is not completed means 30 penalty burpees!

Immediately after the rowers was a stone carry with another 5 burpees right into carrying water jugs up and down 4 sections of stairs and finally the rope climb. Tough series to say the least. It was a little awkward climbing the rope with a ruck on but I managed. Some of the others got to enjoy some burpee love. Matt made it to the top but ended up sliding down the rope with his hand gripped. I would suggest not to follow such a practice unless you want to tear up your hands. Lesson learned. His hands would need to heal for the next couple weeks.

A few more obstacles and we found ourselves on the field turning the corner towards the gladiator pit. The final test. Run through the gauntlet and earn our medals! As great as getting the medal was – the journey toward that medal was the real highlight. It was great to hear shouts from the stands as we ran through. Fellow GRT’s cheered us on. There were a TON throughout the event. Friends and strangers – everyone cheered. We even ran into many of the volunteers and build staff through the course and everyone one offered smiles and encouragement. Spartan Race uses the tag line “you’ll know at the finish” – now we know. Now we are Spartans and this event will be a staple.

Do yourselves a favor. Don’t just sign up. Volunteer. It most definitely enhances the experience. Not to mention you get some gear and free race entries!!! If that’s not for you feel free to use this code to get 15% off your race “c6h75sf2″. Yes I am now part of the street team!

And now I leave you with a look back via the video edited by our very own Peter. AROO!