Issue: June 2012


Choose Your Own Adventure Race

Go the distance with these mud jumping, zip lining, boulder hauling, rock climbing, gravel crawling, heart stopping, obstacle-laden races, nationwide.

BY HANNAH SERENA GOLDSTEIN —

SKI TO SEA

May 27, Bellingham, WA (89 miles from Seattle) 
800: distance, in feet, of downhill ski climb, completed with skis on shoulders 7: number of different sports involved in race (cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, running, road biking, canoeing, mountain biking, sea kayaking) 
4,300:
 area in feet of Mount Baker ski mountain, where race begins 
35,000:
 estimated number of spectators that watch the winning team ring the bell.
FUN FACT: It's drawn US Olympic kayaking gold medalist Greg Barton, three-time cross-country skiing Olympian Torin Koos, and six-time France/US kayaking Olympian Phillippe Boccara as racers. www.skitosea.com

SPREAD YOUR WINGS ADVENTURE RACE

Multiple Dates, Rock Springs (118 miles from San Antonio) 
175: length, in feet, of rappel 800: length, in feet, of zip line 
30-40:
 number of miles of mountain biking 
18:
 number of hours of full race 
FUN FACT:
 This race includes "snorkelteering," an ambiguous-sounding but arduous underwater task. www.toocoolracing.com

OYSTER URBAN ADVENTURE RACE

Pittsburgh, June 16; Denver, Aug. 25; San Francisco, Sep. 29 
800:
 number of participants permitted 2: estimated number of challenges per hour each team needs to complete to win race 
9:
 cities in race's national tour 
1: number of writing utensils recommended, for potential mind game challenges
FUN FACT:
 Among the more traditional challenges, an Oyster race can include anything from blind beer-tasting to pole dancing, snake-handling or cricket-eating. www.oystertherace.com

SPARTAN RACE AND DEATH RACE

Spartan Races Tri-State NY June 2-3, Pacific Northwest June 16, Pennsylvania June 14-15, New England Aug. 11-12, Mid-Atlantic Aug. 25-26, Tri-State NJ Sep. 8-9, Spartan Death Race Jun. 15, Death Race Pittsfield, VT (131 miles from Portland, ME) June 15 
200:
 number of participating athletes in Death Race
15: percentage of competitively selected participants who make it to the finish line at Death Race 
15-20:
 number of challenges in race 
24-48:
 range of time in hours of race (intentionally not fixed) 30: maximum weight in lbs of rocks in hauling challenge 
2:
number of hours participants have to continuously chop wood 3: obstacle courses competitors can choose from 
FUN FACT:
 The range of challenges is boundless, whether memorizing the first 10 presidents for a later recitation or cutting a bushel of onions. www.spartanrace.com; www.youmaydie.com

TOUGH MUDDER

Colorado, June 9-10; Indiana/Illinois, June 16-17; Southern California, July 7-8; New England, July 14-15; Wisconsin, Sep. 8-9; Mid-Atlantic, Sep. 8-9; Diablo Grande, Sep. 29-30; Seattle, Sep. 29-30 
3,000,000:
 approximate amount the fundraising race has raised worldwide for charity 
7:
 types of terrain participants might encounter (hill, mud, water, ropes, walls, electric shocks and fire) 1
0,000:
 average electric voltage participants would have to encounter 
5:
 items participants have to pledge before each event 5:minimum miles daily recommended exercise routine for all participants.
FUN FACT 1: Parts of this hardcore obstacle course can include monkey bars, ice water dunks, and massive slip-and-slides. www.toughmudder.com

RUGGED MANIAC

Brooklyn, NY, June 30; Tri-State Area, July 14; Chicago/Milwaukee, Aug. 4; Minneapolis, Sep. 15 
12:
 height, in feet, of wall to scale 
50:
 height, in feet, of water slide 
FUN FACT: Past races have seen participants cross fields and shoot down mudslides in banana and math geek costumes. www.ruggedmaniac.com

CYCLE MESSENGER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2012

Chicago, IL, Aug. 3-5 20: total CMWCs after this year's is complete 
11:
 countries CMWC has taken place in 
16:
 cities CMWC has taken place in 
FUN FACT: Includes a Messenger Prom, with dance-off and karaoke. www.chicagocmwc.com

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