Gladiator Rock'n Run is in the books, and as was the case last year, it was a really good time. I originally was just going to spectate and cheer on the masses and catch up with my OCR family. But when #MRG needed someone to step up and run the race, I said why not!! [...]
"Are You Not Entertained?" - Maximus "Hell Yeah!" - Dan "Nitro" Clark On Saturday, August 27th, 2016 - YOU are the gladiator. YOU will rumble down the tunnel into the legendary stadium. YOU will have the chance to follow in the epic badassery that came before you. Are you ready?
This past weekend, the Gladiator Rock'NRun returned to the Barona Motocross Park in San Diego for the first time since 2014 (they were unable to secure this venue last year for some reason). Put on by Dan "Nitro" Clark of American Gladiators fame, the Gladiator Rock'NRun is a solid fan favorite for smaller race series. It sits solidly in the middle of the spectrum, easy and fun enough for first timers looking to get muddy, and enough of a challenge to keep more serious racers interested.
One of the things many of us love best about Obstacle Course Racing, is that the races come in so many forms. Not just the variety of obstacles and terrain, but that no matter what your skill level, there is something out there for everyone. Whether a race has 60 per year, or 6, is International, or a one-off rural labor of love – we are there having fun with our friends and family, doing what everyone else thinks we are crazy for doing, and knowing that they are the crazy ones for missing out.
Founded by Dan “Nitro” Clark (of American Gladiators fame), the Gladiator Rock ‘n Run was voted by mudrunguide.com readers as “Best Small OCR Series” in 2014 and noted as a “Regional Powerhouse” by Mudrunguide founder Brett Stewart in his Best OCR Events Period article.
Let's talk about the brands that are the bedrock of OCR. As the sport has grown over the last 3-4 years, one thing has stood out: there are a few brands that are the biggest and best - the Chili's or Chipotle of the sport; you always know (within reason) what you're going to get when you show up. You're not going to be (too) surprised with the event, as there reputation of quality precedes them.
Taking a page from the 80’s, former American Gladiators star; Dan “NITRO” Clark has created a race series! I can still remember as a kid watching these gladiators taking on the everyday Joe in a series of challenges. Looking back on it, I can now see the clear correlation between what those competitors encountered back then to what we were about to experience in Dan’s vision.
Since this was on a motocross track I already knew to expect hills. They did not disappoint. The crew took great advantage of the course topography. I also noticed many mud/water pits. The weekend before, we had torrential rainstorms that seem to have added to the course unintentionally, but with great positive effect because it made the already technical course, even more so. The competitive heat lined up in the starting gates and we received our Pre-Race announcement from Dan Clark, along with special course instructions for the competitive wave. Once complete, we were off.
Starting this weekend at Reebok Spartan Race Super in Las Vegas, there will no longer be pugil stick-weilding guys or gals standing between you and the finish line waiting to beat you senseless... after already enduring 10 or so miles of suffering. Take a good look, old photos are the last time you'll see this:
