The nation’s leading obstacle race series encourages all on July 18

CHICAGO, IL (July 11, 2017) – Warrior Dash, the 5K obstacle course race that more than 3 million people have completed since 2009, is commemorating the anniversary of its inception with the inaugural National Obstacle Course Racing Day on July 18. The annual holiday will serve as a day to celebrate the obstacle course racing industry and its continuing growth in popularity.

 

The day, #NationalOCRDay, holds special significance in U.S. obstacle course racing history, as the first ever Warrior Dash race took place on July 18, 2009 in Joliet, Ill. The following year Warrior Dash launched the first obstacle course racing series nationwide and paved the way for the industry.

“National Obstacle Course Racing Day, is a day of celebration for everyone, whether you’re a dedicated OCR athlete or newcomer to the series, we want everyone to celebrate their obstacle course racing experience,” said Ryan Kunkel, co-CEO of Red Frog Events, the producers of Warrior Dash. “We’re looking forward to celebrating National OCR Day for years to come and introducing a new wave of participants each year to obstacle course racing.”

 

The obstacle course racing industry has seen mounting success since Warrior Dash launched the first national series in 2010. Obstacle course racing has now become an internationally recognized sport, with annual OCR participation surpassing that of traditional half and full marathons combined, according to Running USA’s 2015 data.

 

“Warrior Dash helped to lay the foundation for what has become a robust obstacle course racing industry,” said Brett Stewart, co-Founder of Mud Run Guide and US OCR Championships. “Warrior Dash continues to be a leader within the OCR industry, and is a great entry-level event for the novice participant while at the same time a fun event for the most seasoned competitors.”

 

In celebration of National Obstacle Course Racing Day, all are encouraged to leave their normal weekend in the mud and commit to a Warrior Dash event, whether a first time participant or battleground veteran.

 

Participants can sign-up and fundraise as a St. Jude Warrior. All donations go towards the St. Jude Red Frog Events Proton Therapy Center, which opened on the St. Jude campus in Memphis in late 2015. Warrior Dash and its parent company, Red Frog Events, with the help of participants and a variety of initiatives, have donated over $14 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Visit Mud Run Guide's WarriorDash calendar to secure a spot in a competitive, preferred, or standard wave at one of Warrior Dash’s 2017 locations, and use discount code 5MRGWD7 to save $5 on your registration.

 

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About Warrior Dash: Warrior Dash is the 5K obstacle course race that anyone can start and everyone can finish. Since 2009, over 3 million participants have celebrated their decision to leave their normal weekend in the mud – and the running industry hasn’t been the same since. Warrior Dash and its parent company, Red Frog Events, with the help of participants and a variety of initiatives, have donated over $14 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Visit WarriorDash.com to learn more or find a location near you.

About Red Frog Events: Red Frog Events is an event production company and a pioneer of the experiential entertainment industry, recognized for its award-winning company culture. Since 2007, the company has developed innovative brands including the Warrior Dash obstacle race series, Firefly Music Festival, and Chicago Beer Classic. Red Frog also provides event services ranging from food and beverage to its ticketing platform, EventSprout. Red Frog has been named one of Forbes' “Most Promising Companies in America”, has appeared consecutively on Inc. Magazine’s “Fastest Growing Companies” list, and was recognized on Chicago Tribune's “Top Workplaces” from 2011-2014, among other honors. In recognition of its philanthropic efforts, the company was selected as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's “Corporate Partner of the Year”. To date, Red Frog has raised over $14 million of a $25 million dollar fundraising commitment to St. Jude and in 2016, announced a one percent profit donation to the organization. Visit RedFrogEvents.com for more information.

 

 

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