Event makes race an adventure
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Chris Kemp happily sported a multicolored tutu through mud, foam and water Saturday afternoon.
The 29-year-old Sarver man said he wasn't a bit embarrassed to be on a team named, “The Feisty Foam Fairies.” On the contrary, he was stoked.
Kemp was one of more than 5,000 registered runners to slip, slide, duck and climb his way through Butler County's inaugural 5K Foam Fest at Camp Lutherlyn.
Billed as “a giant car wash for dirty humans” the 5K Foam Fest is part of a popular onrush in adventure-type races. This particular event is a 5K, which is roughly 3.1 miles, laden with 15 foam, mud and water obstacles, including three four-story slides.
“People really love those,” said Michelle Capunay, who is the event promoter for Round House Racing of Utah. “There's also a mud pit, a cargo net and inflatable obstacles filled with foam.”
The organization has been hosting these events across the country for three years, but this was the first Pennsylvania stop.
“It makes exercise a little party,” Capunay explained of the popularity.
Participants, some wearing running shoes and others zany outfits, were let loose in 25 waves, every 20 minutes, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They ranged in age from the mandatory minimum of 10 to 71. The oldest person ever to participate in this event in another city was 92.
Participants often are slowed by obstacles on the course more than their own endurance. So the “race” is timed, but for fun only.“I'm competitive, so I got my time,” said Tasha Caylao Werner, 40, of Butler. Werner was a member of the Glam Runners Team.“This was a lot of fun,” said fellow Glam Runners team member Amber “Star” Mayo, 33, of Center Township.While some people like Werner often participate in competitive events and train regularly, for others like Kemp it was a first-time experience.“I did very little by way of training,” said Kemp, whose team included his wife, 29-year-old Kelli Kemp. “And yes, I would definitely do this again.”While finishing times ranged from a half-hour to multiple hours, everyone got a medal, a T-shirt and the offer of a shower facility at the finish line.Participants paid $50 to $80 to run. A share of the proceeds will benefit Operation Walk Pittsburgh.The charity, which was started by Dr. Tony DiGioia, an orthopedic surgeon at The Bone and Joint Center at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC, provides free hip and knee surgeries to patients who cannot afford care in Pittsburgh and developing countries.
