Louisianians from all over the state will face the challenge of discovering their inner warriors this Saturday.
The 3.18-mile obstacle course dubbed “The Warrior Dash” takes place in different states all over the country. The Louisiana event starts on the Bonnet Carre Spillway and takes runners through a winding course of 13 difficult obstacles.
The obstacles include climbing over giant hay bales, jumping through knee-high tires, negotiating cargo nets, stumbling through pitch black tunnels, racing though wild forests and crawling through mud beneath barbed wire.
The final obstacle is called the “Warrior Roast,” and it requires racers to leap over a fire.
After the race, participants are treated to beer, turkey legs and live music at the post-race party. Spectators can begin enjoying the music and fun 30 minutes before the race begins.
“It’s something different,” said Hunter Hall, communication studies senior. “It’s a test of endurance and fitness, which is something I’m into. And most importantly, it looks fun.”
Hall discovered Warrior Dash while stumbling around Facebook, and he said he was excited to participate after seeing the event’s page.
Warrior Dash is the brainchild of Red Frog Events, an entertainment company whose mission is “creating fun and extraordinary events through innovation, creativity and top-notch participant service, while laughing all the way,” according to its website.
Bryn Duplechain, biological sciences senior, said she has been running distance races for more than three years.
“I started running when I became a personal fitness trainer,” Duplechain said. “I tried different avenues of exercise and just got hooked on running.”
Duplechain said she heard about Warrior Dash from a friend and was curious to find out more.
“I’ve ran the Crescent City Classic three times as well as a half marathon, and I like that this race is an obstacle course with a party after its all over,” Duplechain said.
Hall said he looks forward to completing the race and enjoying a feeling of accomplishment.
“At the end of the three-mile course, you can stop and look and say, ‘Yeah, I just did that,’ and that’s going to be a good feeling,” Hall said. “But mostly, it just looks fun.”
This year alone Red Frog will host 29 Warrior Dash events scattered all across the United States and even one in Australia.
Based in Chicago, Red Frog hosts various events all over the country. Their website lists thinking “innovation is paramount” and giving “seriously good high-fives” as two of the Red Frog’s many core beliefs.
In addition to the Warrior Dash, Red Frog Events also created RegistratioNATION, a secure and automated online payment service for events, including Beach Palooza, an obstacle race similar to Warrior Dash but with a beach theme to match its location, and Great Urban Race, an adventure-themed obstacle race where teams must solve clues to progress.
These events helped Red Frog earn a Stevie Award last year as one of the 2010 North American Companies of the Year.
 
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Contact Andrew Price at [email protected]