1. COURSE- While last year featured the sadistic trail blazing skills of Norm Koch, his absence in 2018 didn't make this course any easier, as the steep hills are almost hard to avoid on this mountain, especially when trying to pack in 6 miles (note- previous year Bonefrog Challenge races had been slightly longer at 8 miles). Throw in a solid 40 obstacles along the way and you're in for a legit race well worth my 4 hour drive. The best of their lineup were mostly featured around the main festival area, where an upgraded Chopper rig foiled a lot of racers, and the late morning rain made their Strong Hold rig that much tougher. The new caving ladder ascent called Ship Boarding was a final vertical climb test right before their famous ending Black Ops monkey bar traverse at the finish. GRADE = A
2. FESTIVAL- The setup has remained the same year after year except for moving the registration and bag check tents back outside, rather than in the base lodge like last year. Vendors are placed perfectly to meet race finishers and their spectators all in the small, but central area right in front of the lodge. Always one of the best setups for parking as well, directly adjacent to the course only a minute's walk away, making it easy to go back for a change of clothes or to drop stuff off at the car. GRADE = A
3. SWAG- Lots of new stuff this year, including totally redesigned medals, now in hexagon shape but varying size depending on the race distance you complete. The ribbon also corresponds to that race. Shirts are all shades of gray, but slightly different based on those four race options. But as in many mandatory completion OCRs, the top swag to leave with is the one they issue you from the start- the elite wristband- which is yours to lose unless you successfully pass every obstacle on course. GRADE = A
OVERALL GRADE = A
