1. COURSE- Without a doubt the big buzz at the course, and for the thousands following on social media, was the Platinum Rig obstacles that would pretty much make or break every racer’s day in Central Florida. Not one, but TWO, stations made it incredibly hard to have a perfect run without any fail (unless your last name is Atkins of course). Even so, with the multiple re-attempts for some going on a half hour or longer at each, fatigue and grip deterioration became a huge storyline. And that’s of course all in addition to the 5 miles of running and 30+ other obstacles to contend with each lap! The Elite championship heat had two full laps and mandatory completion of every obstacle, and it looked like less than a quarter of the starting field was able to do that- including myself who had nothing left for the neverending 80 foot long rig with ropes, long and short metal poles, monkey bars, and rings. Moving on from that (if you were able to!) most obstacles were the same editions from our previous BFs. Their signature Delta Ladder (large A frame climb), 60 Degrees (inverted metal pole ladder), and Tip of the Spear (combo of wall traverse with ropes, balance beams, and wall traverse with just fingertip grip boards) all made their appearance. And of course the grind-it-out strength obstacles like Wreck Bag and Jerry Can carries were there too. We got an entirely new obstacle in a slanted traverse wall with rock climb hand holds and 2’x4” boards at the feet, but it didn’t seem to be too much trouble for most competitors. I might have thought there would be more water, as Miami was a frequent swim/wade type of course, but wasn’t the case in this much dryer part of the state. Overall, famed Race Director Christopher “Beard” Acord delivered on a course certainly worthy of being called a championship. GRADE = A
2. FESTIVAL- If I had more time to hang around (in other words, not wasted so much time attempting the Platinum Rigs over and over again!), I might have had the chance to enjoy what was a beautiful day in the park. I thought the layout could have been a little more spectator friendly to showcase the more exciting obstacles, but those were still accessible from about a 100 yard walk or so from the festival. Cleverly, the merchandise tent was your only entrance and exit to the race, so you had no choice but to peruse their growing inventory of awesome BF apparel and souvenirs. I even got myself an early Christmas present with one of their beach towels. GRADE = A
3. SWAG- I didn’t get to keep the one souvenir that really meant something to me, that white Elite wristband for (not) completing all obstacles. But the two prizes at the end were somewhat of a consolation. This championship event produced unique medals for both Open, Elite, and Xtreme heat racers, and a brand new commemorative shirt that’s finally different than my others. Throw in the several Kill Cliff cans I had on the way to the airport and a bookbag full of Jack Link’s beef jerky sample packs, and the misery of 4 hours of running toward a DNF was made a little better. Still want that wristband though! Oh well, there’s always next year! GRADE = A
OVERALL GRADE = A
