Running a 10K sounds hard enough. Throw in some “unusual” obstacle challenges and it sounds…fun?
“There’s nothing like this in the Southeast,” says marketing and public relations coordinator Lyndsi Lane of the inaugural Chattanooga Challenge & Festival being presented by Get Out Chattanooga magazine. “Traditionally, obstacle course races are only done in big cities. The entire course will be very spectator-driven.” While Chattanooga may not be the biggest city – thank, God – it is an iconic city; many people recognize the “See Rock City” barns and can at least hum the tune to “Chattanooga Choo Choo.” Some of those same celebrated hallmarks will become challenges for the individuals and teams (up to four people) participating in the March race.
“There are 10 obstacles, and they’re all themed after ‘novelty Chattanooga,'” explains Sarah Bass, wellness coordinator for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. For example, racers will get up close and personal with the Rock City barns normally seen from their car windows dotting the distant landscape.
The related challenge won’t be any less intimidating than the cavern’s fairy dioramas: a rope climb to the top where they’ll “run”- or inch or crawl – across the pitched roof before climbing back down on the other side. In the spirit of one of the nation’s most recognized aquariums – and some of its most recognized inhabitants – comes the “Penguin Plunge,” an obstacle the details of which are still being finalized but that will definitely include “some kind of contact with water at the temperature penguins live in,” says Bass.
Now add in the “festival” part, a free all-day family fun event featuring an outdoor-geared film screening, live entertainment and vendors with a selection of gear and other merchandise for those who like to “get out,” along with a variety of concessions. Top it all off with the fact that 100 percent of the event’s proceeds will go to the Chattanooga Times Free Press Foundation, a new 501(c)(3) clearinghouse for Chattanooga nonprofits, and you’ve got yourself a winner.