Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 60, July 2014 | Page 40

OBSTACLE RACING

Battling the Gladiator
Say the word gladiator,
and most people think of
a bloodied Russell Crowe,
sword in hand, fighting off
opponents, but for local
athletes competing in the
Gladiator series, it’s about
battling over or through
several obstacles to become
the ultimate hero.
– BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER

Richard adds that the series is designed to get
athletes to improve and move on to the next
stage. “We want people off the couch and
moving through our event ranks. Our Sprint
event is only 6km, so most people can do it right
off the couch.” After that, athletes can move up
through the distances and then achieve the title
of Gladiator Maximus, bestowed on those who
complete the Sprint, Intimidator (10-12km) as
well as the Goliath event (16-20km). The Sprint
events also include a ‘Brute’ option for the really

fit and strong, where the distance only increases
by 500m, but around 20 additional obstacles are
packed in for an extreme challenge!

YOUNG AT HEART

When asked his thoughts on the rapid growth in
popularity of obstacle racing, Richard answers
that it is appeals to our inner child. “The
obstacles are basically large jungle gyms where
we can become kids again. There is also a lot of
camaraderie, as the majority of people compete
in teams. Often, an obstacle is impossible without
someone’s help, so it makes these events the
ultimate for team-building, families or friends.”
He adds that the events are challenging and
tough, but athletes will be looked after well on
race day. “Safety is the most important focus for
us, but there are never any guarantees for safety
in obstacle racing, so we are pleased to have
emergency medical services provider Helivac on
board as a title sponsor of the series, meaning
we have world-class medical service, and if needs
be, an airlift to the nearest hospital, in the event
of a serious injury.”

EVENT FOCUS

Not Too Intimidating
In June, the Gladiator Intimidator took
place in Muldersdrift, featuring a novel new
‘obstacle.’ We all know that a true gladiator
can throw a spear… so participants had
one chance to peg a spear into a hay bale
stand. If they didn’t peg it, they endured
several burpees as punishment! “This can
cost them a lot of time on the course and
it’s difficult, because accuracy is key, while
heart rates are running high and there is
a lot of tension,” says Richard. “The event
also featured the Gladiator Gauntlet, where
participants faced five gladiators armed
with joust sticks and crash pads before
they could reach the finish. We want to
make it as challenging as possible!”

NEXT GLADIATOR EVENT

The Intimidator Brute,
Intimidator & Sprint
When: 2 August 2014
Where: JoziX, cnr. Main Road & Sloane
Street, Bryanston, Johannesburg

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For more info, visit www.thegladiator.co.za

Images: Erik Vermeulen

Some obstacles races are all about the mud, but
the Gladiator series has a simple motto: Les