Before all the swashbucklers invade Tampa on Saturday, another type of ritual begins when the Warrior Dash kicks off “Mud Season” in Florida. On Jan. 31, more than 8,000 competitors descend upon Clermont to conquer the Great Warrior Wall, crawl under barbed wire, jump over fire pits and slosh through mud pits.
The Clermont race is one of 28 United States competitions in the Warrior Dash series that culminates with the Warrior Dash World Championship on October 10 at Milky Way Farm in Pulaski, Tenn.
Entering its seventh season, Warrior Dash has become one of the elite obstacle racing events among the plethora of mud type of competitions that have arisen over the past decade. In 2014, Warrior Dash gave away $100,000 in prize money, the largest purse prize in 5K non-track history, to elite athletes throughout the world including Max King, the male champion, and Kimber Mattox, the female champion.
“The level of competition [was] out of this world,” King said. “But, the thing about obstacle racing that is so awesome is that you have all these different dynamics of people. You have everybody from the elite side, to the people who are going out and walking the whole course. It's kind of like your gateway into more improved fitness.”
Warrior Dash has gotten so big that it even has an Official Protein Beverage, among all the other sponsors. Rockin' Refuel recently announced a partnership with Warrior Dash to fuel its participants with the popular line of protein-fortified milk.
In addition, Warrior Dash continues its association with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The St. Jude Warriors VIP program gives competitors who raise more than $300 exclusive access to a VIP area complete with private showers, catering, and a lounge.
The race isn't just about outdueling someone on the obstacle course, though. After the finish line, a festival ensues with post-race showers, live music, interactive activities, and a craft beer station with selections from Shock Top.
For more information on registration for the race and how to become involved with the St. Jude Warriors program, visit WarriorDash.com.
