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Submitted by Joseph Farrar
July 6, 2012
Review
Unlike Steve. I actually had a great time at the Hero Rush. I too have done other obstacle events but lets consider something. This is after all their first year. I think this was their 5th race too.
I was bummed there was no zipline, but they said that was due to the fact that they are still working on getting the obstacle stable. I cannot fault them because I would rather it be safe then unsafe.
Local mud runs do nothing like Hero Rush. When have you ever done an obstacle like Towering Inferno? Hoarders Hell? Mazed and Confused? Fire on 14?
Great race. Great Course. Great Obstacles.
Regarding post race. I got some water. Food was definitely more expensive then I expected but the $5 from Hero Rush was nice. So you don’t get a free beer, not bummed about that, especially because the website states everything you get. Additionally, the website states that all courses will be different so how is it false advertising? It isn’t.
The bag check wasn’t extremely close to the midway. However, there was a bathroom inside the room where bag check was. I used that to change in.
Additionally, if you don’t go as a team, there are plenty of people to meet and talk to at the race. No one ask me where I was a firefighter. We all just had a great time. I ran in the 8:30 competitive wave because competitive is always fun, less people, and more competition.
Overall I was impressed with the race knowing that it is the first year they have embarked on this. There are plenty of other races that I have done that were mediocre at best. Keep it up Hero Rush, can’t wait for next year.
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Submitted by Steve Lerer
July 3, 2012
Review
Last week I ran the first Hero Rush LA. This was a 5K race planned by firefighters, donating to a good cause, so I figured I would give it a try. They touted the catchphrase “More challenge, less mud” so I figured the obstacles would be awesome, I was wrong. Maybe I am just getting biased after running Tough Mudders and Spartan Races but I think this race could have been so much more. It was littered with first time mistakes both logistically and during the race, which confirmed my philosophy of skipping first time races.
What Worked?
The last wave. I signed up for the 1pm wave which was by far the smallest so there was no wait for any obstacle. It also helped that the final wave often has the slowest people so I was easily at the front of my group which aided in the lack of wait time for obstacles.
The cause. The event raised money for the fallen firefighters foundation and paid homage to the 343 firefighters who died on 9/11. You can’t really argue with that cause and I did not mind paying what I consider a high price of registration to support it. I hope that a significant portion of my registration fee actually went to the cause.
The partner obstacle. One obstacle was a two person event. You had to work with your partner to put a person “Tire set” on a stretcher, carry it over and under some walls, under barbed wire, and through a tunnel. I’ve never done an obstacle like that and it was pretty cool.
What Didn’t Work?
The bag check area. For some strange reason, they had the bag check area set up by registration. The problem with that was that registration was not anywhere near the post race festivities. Additionally, the changing rooms were in the post race area and not near the bag check. This meant that in order to change, dry off, or get money for food you had to walk back to the bag check area, but once you got your bag you were closer to the parking lot so it was easier to just leave. I ended up changing at my car and leaving. This was probably a huge loss in revenue not to mention it was just annoying.
The “Hero Dinero”. After the race you got five dollars in race cash to be used on food and apparel. The problem was that this money got you almost nothing because the food costs were ridiculous. And since I didn’t have my wallet all I could get was an awful microwaved pretzel and a bag of Doritos. At all other race I have ever done you at least got a free beer, but not at the Hero Rush, no beer cost $9. Ridiculous.
An abundance of tires. This race boasted eighteen obstacles, yet four of them involved carrying or pulling one or more tires. That is not inventive, it is boring. I could think of a lot of other things they could do but they must have gotten a deal on tire rentals. I’m sorry but connecting two tires together does not create a brand new obstacle.
False advertising. If you go on the website and watch the video you see people climbing through obstacles filled with smoke, riding down zip lines and, jumping over multiple fire pits. Awesome right! Definitely, if that is what really happened. This race had none of that so I felt completely cheated. I was so excited about the zip line and the smoke filled obstacles because they were very unique but all I got was traditional mud run obstacles without any mud. Even the fire was a joke. We just ran around a large campfire, no jumping at all.
Overall
This race was not built for regular adventure racers, it is really a way for firefighters to get together and run a race. I felt very out of place, almost everyone I met asked me where I was a firefighter. I could also tell the tone of this race by the lack of competitiveness. I put in a minimal effort because of my knee issues but still finished 33rd overall. There were a ton of beginner errors that could easily be fixed but the big issue was the lack of the obstacles touted on their website video. I felt ripped off and hope that they can make the races more consistent in the future. I do not think I will run this race again and with just stick to what I know and like.
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Submitted by Whitney Shepherd
July 1, 2012
Review
Although many of those pics are not from our event it was fun none the less! Event was very well organized and run smoothly. See ya next time!!!
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Submitted by Brian Lackey
May 28, 2012
Review
The very first Hero Rush, Maryland 4/28/12 was as good as you could get for a first-time race. The staff and volunteers were top-notch and on top of everything, and the headquarters staff has listened to seasoned runners of this novelty kind of race. The check-in process was really fast, but that might also have been because of registration numbers not being what they could be until the race series gets a little more exposure and word-of-mouth testimonials.
For me, this race has been the most creative and unique of the obstacle races. I’ve run other 5k races like Rugged Maniac (twice), Warrior Dash, and Run Amuck, but Hero Rush sets themselves apart by not making themselves to be another “mud run”. You’ll get wet, but you don’t need mud for a race to be fun. The obstacles vary in difficulty, some (namely Basement Entrapped,Towering Inferno, and Entanglement) being some of the most difficult but funnest in any of the 5k obstacle races I’ve seen, but for this race it is not about the difficulty or the extreme-ness of the obstacles/distance, but it’s in the “experience” of playing firefighter for 5-7k. To add to the “hero” experience, you can run the “343 Wave” which is dedicated to the 343 firefighters who died in the 9/11 attacks and sport a special runner’s bib displaying the name of one of those firefighters. The atmosphere and the feel of the obstacles make you feel “heroic”, as you face other kinds of mental obstacles such as darkness, tight spaces, heights. I feel this race, versus any other, encourages the thought of pushing yourself past your limits by running to honor someone who can’t, be it one of the 343, or a loved one.
The food is really good too. Being a firefighter-themed event, barbeque is a most fitting food offering, much different (and better) than most races. On top of that, with registration you get $5 in what is called Hero Dinero, good towards food/beverage. No other race I can think of even does that, and when you consider the registration rates ($54-$74), it’s still a solid addition to the registration package. I may be wrong about this, but I think the Dinero in future races can also be good towards Hero Rush apparel. Hero Rush’s apparel stands for more than just the race, you know it stands for honoring the firefighters and servicemen of today, yesterday, and tomorrow. It stands for a loved one you gave you themselves; perhaps someone you know is fighting cancer; perhaps you want your children to be proud of you. When you sport the Hero Rush logo, it is for something bigger than personal glory.
The MD Hero Rush has impressed me so much that I will also be driving 5.5 from Virginia to run the Pennsylvania event in August, and very likely I will drive that same amount of time in the opposite direction to go run the Carolinas event in October. This will be a first for me traveling to a different state to run a different location of a race I’ve previously run. I can’t wait to see how they utilize the paintball site in the Poconos, or the motosports track in North Carolina. With each race it will only get better and better and even more crazy, within the firefighter theme. The staff have thus far been very prompt and receptive to suggestions and comments. It’s almost as although the founders created the race and the bones of it, the fans are the ones who have shaped it and truly made it what it has already become: a different kind of race put together and run by a different calibur of people.
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Submitted by Lee Girard
May 28, 2012
Review
I did the first Hero Rush in Maryland and I loved every minute of it. I’m a career firefighter so the obstaces were similiar to training props I’ve seen in classes I’ve taken for work. The main difference between the two, the Rush obstacles were a lot of fun! The course was really well designed and incorporated smoke, heights, dark and tight spaces, lots of water and a very slimy but fun Hazmat pit. And jumping the fire at the finish was pretty awesome. I did the competition wave to see how well I could do as an individual and ran the “343” wave with a large team. I enjoyed it so much I’m running it as an individual in NY and with a team in PA. It’s an awesome experience and for me, well worth the extra driving to do it again before it gets to Maryland next year.
The Rush also supports a few great charities, with the Maryland races local charity being the DC Burn Foundation (they change in each city) and the National charity is the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. I’ve seen these two charities in action and had the opportunity to help at a burn camp for kids. I won’t say they’re better than any of the charities supported by mud runs. I can say they are truly great organizations.
Bottom line: This is more than your basic “get dirty and crawl over logs” mud run, this is one heck of an experience! Do it once and you’ll be impatiently waiting to do it again!
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Submitted by ffhellokitty
May 28, 2012
Review
I had the privilege of preview the day before and running the 343 wave in April at the FIRST EVER Hero Rush! I LOVE the fact that you can race with all levels of competitors and get a great workout/challenge! Several obstacles allow you to do a more challenging (Spartan Race/Tough Mudder fans) or a less challenging way (Warrior Dash/Run A Muck fans) to get thru the obstacle! I love this! It allows you to bring friends/family of all calibers! I have run numerous events USMC Mudrun in South Carolina (requiring teams), Warrior Dash, Run A Muck, Rugged Maniac and many more and this race BY FAR was the most DIVERSE!
Hero Rush is great for families, singles etc! It isn’t all about the drinking at the end, everyone is friendly, you make so many new friends, it is for an amazing cause. There is some mud and slimy goo yet you finish feeling pretty clean and not trashing your car! WHICH, I LOVE mudruns, don’t get me wrong but this is very refreshing not having to wait in line to get a shower. You can take your time to get food and drinks and space out your time without being completely covered in sludge, that takes a week to clean out lol.
The obstacles are spaced out very nicely, it doesn’t feel much like a running race, there is almost always an obstacle just around the bend. The obstacles are unlike any other that you will encounter at other races and very well thought out!
If you like obstacle course races Hero Rush is well worth adding to your list of MUST DO races and CANNOT be substituted by another mudrun! I am adding Hero Rush to my calendar as a must do at least once a year! I am hoping to gather up friends from different states and visit and run the race together!
The loot you get it quality too! Parking and registration and communication online and at the event were exemplary!!! I wish I could run them in every state and plan too!
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Submitted by Maria Quezada-Jensen
May 28, 2012
Review
I did this run in April in Maryland – it was a blast! FIRST LET ME SAY – if you have time and can get to one of their events – DO IT!!!! This was a blast – I’ve done only a few “mud runs”/obstacle runs – and this was excellent. One person I talked with after I was finished compared it to the Spartan races – saying it was on par with them. I’m not a great runner – I am SLOOOOOOOWWWW, but this was perfect for me.
For our event – it was a little chilly, overcast (without the clouds it would have been warmer), but we found the farm with no trouble. We walked around looking at some of the obstacles – there was a course map – we had 19 (yes NINETEEN) obstacles on our course (some will have more, some will have less- depends on venue). We got to view #1, #7, #9, #13, #17 and participate in #18., and see #19.
So – to give you a good recap – I’ll just highlight a few obstacles WARNING- I am PETRIFIED OF HEIGHTS which was surely tested (I only had to be rescued once!). BUT IT’S FUN I SWEAR 🙂
ANYWAY – my group was up at 10:00 – the MC was talking, trying to fire up the group (no problem there – we were jumping, cheering, clapping for fire/ems/police/military) – as the music plays in the background. Suddenly thru the music (phone rings… “911 emergency” …) – a mock 911 call. You get the call to start – dash up 2 flights of narrow stairs (no rails) – can you hear me hyperventilating yet haha?
First one – DISPATCH DESCENT – up the stairs, down the fireman’s pole – woohoo! – run around the corner. It was a nice easy run, steeply downhill and curving around.
#4 – MAZED AND CONFUSED – crawl through the maze, smoke, dark – FUN!
#5 – SMOKE JUMPER – this was one was cool – I was waiting for it after seeing Thursday’s news story. You climb up the cargo net, grab the zip line and slide about 10 feet at the most to a stop. SO … my fear of heights kicks in. I must have sat on the edge of the drop for about 5- 10 minutes trying to talk myself into it. I even got up and walked back to the cargo net and then didn’t even want to think about how to get down (it took a lot of “don’t look down, breathe” in my head to even climb up in the first place. 🙂 Thanks to the guys manning this obstacle – they didn’t make me feel stupid – kept saying “because you are a hero!” every time I said “What was I thinking? I can’t do this”. Finally, I just went, hoping my shoulder would hold. As soon as my feet were within 1 foot of the ground, let go! woohoo! I survived!!!!
NUMBER 9 – TOWERING INFERNO-RAINING STAIRS. WONDERFUL OBSTACLE – finagle your way up a long tube – 2 stories or so – and SLIDE DOWN into a nice (cold) tub of water. Watching this before my wave – all we heard was “woosh” – “WOW THAT’S COLD” from everyone who came down. I couldn’t make it 🙁 I just had no arm strength to jump up to the first step in the tube, and had to run around 🙁 (goal for next year – work on climbing walls!!!!!)
ENTANGLEMENT was #11 on my course – I have to say was my favorite – another one of those crawl through. They have a long tube at the end full of wires/ropes/strings – you have to maneuver through the strings to the middle, which is a big box, same theme, to another tube that has the same thing – strings/ropes/wires. The comments I heard as people were going through it – couldn’t stop laughing. I remember the scene from Entrapment where whats-her-name (married to Michael Douglas) – Catherine Zeta Jones shows 007 Sean Connery how to move through the beams to steal the prize – I didn’t look like that but it felt like I was twisting and becoming a pretzel. Thanks to the guys who were making me laugh as I squeezed through (there were 3 – 4 tubes so multiple people were going) – “so this is what childbirth feels like… for a kid” “Squeeze on out dude…” “move your fat butt man!” – it was great! I ended up flipping over in the 2nd tube – knee brace kept getting stuck so I just flipped over, pushed through and used my arms to pull out. Woohoo! made it
For obstacle #13 it was a hike – I’d say we probably went about .5 mile or so to the BASEMENT ENTRAPPED obstacle – where I needed rescuing! You could either climb up the hose or the ladder – I chose ladder – fun – about 2 stories up again I think. Then you had to walk down the firehose – there was one below you and two at armpit level – sit down on the arms and scooch down – well after 10 min of debating why in the world I was up that high I tried and panicked. Thanks to the team from Westfield/Westville who helped me – they stood underneath and helped me figure out how to move and balance, and then got a table over to me so I could slide off. I was so upset that I froze, but glad they were there. So I was rescued on the firefighter course 🙂 definitely weird
#17 – HAZMAT ZONE – BLUE SLIME! jump in, move through the slime – it was fun! PLUS I KNEW I WAS ALMOST DONE!!!!!
#18 – I saw my daughter as I rounded the final turn to the finish – this one was BYSTANDER BLAST – it was great – you jumped into the tub of water and the bystanders get to blast you with water – needless to say I moved fast through that one.
Final run/jog/groan/ hahaha to the finish – FEARLESS FINISH – run and jump over the fire! I was going to do this no matter what – it was great – I felt like a goof jumping and I’m sure my pics will look sillly but I did it!
It was a BLAST! Seriously, if you like a challenge, and are into something different – do this. The medals were great – the FOOD was amzing – loved that BBQ – the shirts are nice. Also paid $25 to get digital downloads of ALL my pictures -that’s very reasonable.
PLUS they had a kids section – for kids 4 – 6 they have mini obstacles, and then for older kids (you have to be 14 to do the #notjustamudrun) as well. The kids we saw there were having a good time.
Can’t wait to do this again. Hopefully they’ll come down to my neck of the woods so I don’t have to drive so far!!!
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