Run and Gun Challenge to be held in Chandler Saturday
Mar 27, 2015, 5:55 AM | Updated: 5:12 pm
CHANDLER, Ariz. — Valley runners will head to Maricopa Wells at Wild Horse Pass on Saturday to run a race that combines the Olympic sport of Biathlon with an obstacle course and target shooting.
The Run and Gun Challenge starts at 7 a.m. in Chandler.
Run and Gun owner and organizer Joe Jacobs is excited about this year’s race.
“It’s a mile and a half of running, with six or so obstacles along the way, followed by a shooting challenge,” said Jacobs. “Then it’s another mile and a half, another six obstacles, and a second target-shooting challenge.”
Then to top it all off, you get to grab a rope and “tow” a full sized Dodge Ram pickup truck across the finish line.
The obstacles include running over barrels and more. “There’s also carrying buckets full of water, and sandbags,” said Jacobs. “Also climbing over walls, some as high as nine feet, three inches.”
Jacobs said that obstacle challenge racing is a growing sport.
“Last year, for example, 50,000 people nationwide ran either a marathon or half marathon,” he said. “By comparison, last year, nearly four million people participated in one brand or another of obstacle race.”
You must be 18 or older to register to be in the race. The entry fee is $100 per person, but you can get discounts by signing up online.
You can also register in person on Saturday morning. The winner gets bragging rights.
