Running up slippery hills, slogging through muddy rivers and sprinting across a precarious bridge may not sound like activities typically done for fun, but there were plenty of smiling participants in the Hero Challenge 5K on Saturday morning at Snow Trails.
The Hero Challenge, presented by Fit1 Crossfit and Snow Trails, is a 3.1-mile obstacle course winding through the hills of Snow Trails. Runners conquer obstacle upon obstacle including balance beams, wall climbs, water crossings, army crawling, and more mud than one can imagine.
“It’s one of those things you get out in the outdoors, run with a bunch of friends, and we built a bunch of playground features basically,” Nate Wolleson, marketing manager for Snow Trails, said with a laugh. “It’s an adult playground for sure.”
Proceeds from the Hero Challenge go to help real-life hero Joe Tadijanac, a Washington Township firefighter who was injured while on the scene of a fire in 2012, resulting in the loss of both legs above the knee. Tadijanac was at Snow Trails for the day’s events on Saturday, and even took a trip down the giant slip-n-slide at the finish line.
“It’s awesome; it’s more overwhelming than anything,” he said.
Tadijanac plans to use the proceeds from the Hero Challenge to attend a boot camp for amputees for the second year.
“It was awesome, I learned how to stand and walk,” he said enthusiastically. “Knock on wood, I haven’t fallen yet today.”
Participants in the Hero Challenge said they were happy to come out and contribute to a good cause, but also to push their bodies to the limit.
“It was different, a lot of the obstacles were moved, but I think it was a lot easer for me because I’m in better shape this year,” said second-time participant Gabby Sanders. “I knew after running it last year to train better.”
(See a full image gallery from the event by clicking above)
For Kevin and Mason Berryman, running this year’s race came after years of anticipation.
“My son (Mason) just turned 13 so he was eligible this year, he’s been wanting to do it for a while,” said Kevin Berryman. “I wanted to do it for him, and then personally just to see if I could do it.”
Both participants agreed running uphill in wet grass was the toughest part of the course, but said they both had a blast.
“Knowing that you’re almost there, and having a friend to push you there helped me through it,” said Mason Berryman. “It’s just my type of thing, I love doing this stuff.”
Wolleson said the Hero Challenge brings out families, young adults and participants of all ages, from the youngest at 13 up to age 70 and older. He sees people overcome their fears of heights, darkness or murky places, to the ultimate triumph of flying down the slip-n-slide.
“It’s demanding, it’s a challenge, that’s the whole purpose of it, and what better way to see a guy like Joe come out and hit the slip-n-slide,” said Wolleson. “It’s pretty awesome to have a benefit for him.”
“Knowing that you’re almost there, and having a friend to push you there helped me through it,” said Mason Berryman. “It’s just my type of thing, I love doing this stuff.”
