Aggie obstacle course put on at Maverik Stadium
The USU Fitness and Wellness Program hosted the first-ever Aggie obstacle course last Saturday.
The mile-long course ran up, down and all around Maverik Stadium as it challenged contestants to compete in over fifteen obstacles, testing their mental and physical limits.
Emmy Richards and Megan Flanagan worked together to bring this event to life as part of their occupations with the Fitness and Wellness programs at USU.
Flanagan has been involved in obstacle course racing, cross country and track, steeple races, and Spartan races. Her extensive experience allowed her to creatively collaborate with Richards, her logistically-minded supervisor.
They wanted to create the same atmosphere contestants might be familiar with in other racing settings while utilizing different elements they had access to. They accomplished this by increasing course intensity and modifying traditional obstacles where they could.
Flanagan said, “We wanted an event that was going to be more innovative and draw in a different crowd.”
“When people think of Utah State and the fitness program, we want them to think of the Aggie Obstacle Course Race,” Richards added. “It’s a unique offering because not many other places locally, even in Utah, have races like this.”
When asked what contestants would expect, Richards’ answer was quick: “Stairs. Lots of stairs,” she said. “And that adds a unique challenge. With traditional obstacle courses or mud races, you have mud, but instead we have lots and lots of stairs.”
“That in itself is an obstacle,” Flanagan said.
One of the greatest challenges using the stairs was an obstacle coined the “bucket lug.” Each contestant hiked up and down all the stairs on the east side of the stadium, which soar taller than a four-story building, while carrying twenty pounds of sandbags in a bucket.
The bucket lug was the hardest part for Lindsay Larsen, who won first place for the women’s division. However, she said it was all right because it gave her some practice for an upcoming Spartan race she will compete in.
As contestants ran through the course, they were met with tests of agility, strength, and endurance. Flanagan anticipated competitors to go in with all they’ve got: blood, sweat, tears, and perhaps even nausea. “From the time you start to the time you finish, you’re going to be challenged in so many ways,” she said.
One contender, Christopher Harris, definitely felt this way. After finishing the race, he said, “My heart is on fire.”
However, with a refreshment table, hydration station, and complimentary professional massages after finishing the race, participants quickly recovered from the exertion.
One spectator, Ingrid Miranda, watched her dad compete and said it was exciting to see everyone go through the course. “Everyone here looks determined,” she said. “They don’t stop. They don’t quit.”
To boost the local racing scene, Richards’ and Flanagan’s team collaborated with companies around the valley for awards, equipment and marketing. Some businesses even used the course as a team-building opportunity for their employees.
Richards liked this aspect of organizing the event. “We are really excited because it builds that bridge between USU and the community,” she said.
Richards, Flanagan and their team want to continue to create opportunities for people all around the valley to become more excited about fitness and fun. The USU Fitness and Wellness Program is looking forward to running with the momentum gained this weekend and hold this event annually.
To get more involved in the Fitness and Wellness Programs, start here.
—@sladeabigail