Picture it: thousands of people racing over 25 obstacles along a five-km course filled with zany physical challenges – from underground tunnels and fire jumps to trampolines and a 50-foot water slide.
You’d have to be a maniac to compete in something like that, wouldn’t you?
Welcome to Rugged Maniac, an international, five-km obstacle race that’s coming the Cloverdale Rodeo Fairgrounds in Surrey for the first time later this month.
The Aug. 15 race is the third and final stop on the first-ever Canadian tour of the popular series that’s set to hit 22 other North American cities this year.
The all-ages event welcomes participants as young as 14 and as old as 70 to test their mettle. Rugged Maniac is shorter than its competitors, like the Tough Mudder and Spartan Races, enabling it to potentially draw more participants.
Organizers say the aim is to get people of all ages, shapes, and sizes off their couches to do something physical with their weekend.
The fun atmosphere continues after the course with a day-long, post race party with drinks, games and activities, including a mechanical bull and adult bouncy castle.
Rugged Maniac’s chief operating officer Rob Dickens says organizers are excited to bring the event to the Vancouver area, where there’s an active, adventurous population that likes to get outdoors.
“We’re on pace to sell over 5,000 tickets to this year’s event, which is a great first step to making Rugged Maniac an annual tradition in the area,” he said.
During a recent appearance on the TV show Shark Tank, Dickens and Rugged Maniac CEO Brad Scudder were able to convince business magnate Mark Cuban to invest $1.75 million in the company.
To enter, visit www.ruggedmaniac.com. Tickets are $89 to Aug. 11. Participants may also sign up at the event for $100. Students and military personnel with valid identification will receive a $10 discount.
Admission is free for spectators. Along with the race event, there will be music, mechanical bulls, adult bounce houses, beer, food and exhibition booths.
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