Is the Warrior Dash (WD) too much? The distance is "only" a 5k, 3.1 miles. The Warrior dash mixes in obstacles such as wall climbs, hay bale climbs, rope swings and a huge mud pit.
According to the KC Star, "A second man has died after running in last month’s Warrior Dash [in ], an obstacle course race that saw dozens of people treated for heat-related symptoms. Jeff Fink died Tuesday after suffering heat stroke on July 30, first day of the two-day event, according to an Internet page that his family and friends set up. Fink collapsed on the Warrior Dash course and was rushed to St. Luke’s Northland Hospital where he remained until his death. Another competitor, Jeremy Morris, who also went by the name Jeremiah, died last week."
Add in the heat and you have a seriously dangerous situation. The deaths are unfortunate, and not necessarily the fault of race organizers. They cannot control the weather. They can provide water for participants, but like the saying goes, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink". If you are not used to endurance events in extreme conditions, perhaps an extreme event like the WD is not something for you.
It's a very sad situation exposing the new phenomenon of extreme events AND the natural elements.
Please be prepared!
Ryan Falkenrath writes the blog falkeetriathlon.blogspot.com, married father of two young kids, owner of two dogs and trying to balance life, work and multisport. Ryan has participated in multisport events since 2001 from 5k's to Half Ironmans. Ryan is also the Kansas City Endurance Sports Examiner and you can read more of his triathlon thoughts HERE and he collects race reviews at www.Triathlon-Reviews.blogspot.com. Contact Ryan at: [email protected] or follow him on @TriJayhawkRyan.
*Expressed opinions are not necessarily that of EverymanTri.com
Follow on twitter @everymantri or view latest videos on YouTube.