Believe me – It is FUN !
Ok, I must admit, when I first got the call from Jesse Fulton at 365Sports “an enthusiast for adventure and action sports” asking me to chat with him about public relations and social media for their 5K Foam Fest; I was lacking a little on knowledge of this particular “race scene”. But…after spending some time with the team and taking in the event first hand at Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia, I am a believer. And my gosh, is it fun.
Yes, after a few months of working with the team at 365Sports, I have come to have a great deal of respect and admiration for what they are executing in 14 stops from the west coast to Atlantic this summer in Canada. People are hopping off their couches, leaving their “devices” at the “gear check” and experiencing one heck of a fun event.
The event is also partnered with Habitat for Humanity and all proceeds from the Gear Check go to the local chapeter of @Habitat
The 5K Foam Fest is a fun-filled day of “participation” that puts fun seekers of all ages in a challenge against 20+ obstacles, a lot of foam, and some personal challenges. It is not a competition. It is all about completing the course. And…complete it as you see fit. If you don’t like the obstacle, go around it ! The minimum age is 8 years old, and teams are made up of all ages, families, workers, colleagues, fitness enthusiasts and some who are just simply seeking to accomplish a personal challenge set out by the 5K Foam Fest course.
I had the pleasure of visiting the festival event at Sun Peaks Resort in British Columbia near Kamloops British Columbia. I also had the opportunity to walk the course and witness the fun and frolic of participants as they faced their obstacles, mud, foam, hurdles and water! Walk Ferg ? Well yes, I had work to do…smiles.
The obstacles are plentiful as you leave from the starting gate moving your way cautiously through the foam that surrounds you. Here is a quick photo collage of “the course” during the Sun Peaks 5K Foam Fest in British Columbia in June 2016. I have also included a couple of shots from the Winnipeg event.
The Course
The starting gate is quite a remarkable experience to witness as participants queue up behind the foam ready to lunge forward into the engulfing light white foam that awaits them.
A chamber of foam awaits participants after a quick run out of the starting gate.
There are several obstacles set up to test the crawling ability of participants. Many choose to crawl under, but some choose to be more cautious and step over the awaiting web.
Several water stations re-hydrate participants along the course.
Many are in awe by the awaiting “mud” obstacles. The Mocha pit and Mud Crawl were two beauties !
The tube crossing looks easy…but a mud bath can easily consume the fun seekers.
Several “run and dives” welcome participants with a slope into foam and wetness.
A log roll like foam filled obstacle is unnerving as folks try to slip and slide over the rounded logs covered in foam.
Mud pits abound…this one was particularly interesting with snow piled on each side of the obstacle.
The Lily Pads look so easy to cross but have been known to snag participants at the ankles dragging them into the water below.
Monkey business seems pretty standard but can be quite the challenge at this stage of the #5KFoamFest experience.
Foam brings smiles to faces along the way in at various obstacle stops.
Up and over never seemed like so much fun.
At the 3/4 mark, the body washer is a welcoming refresher for participants.
A large version of a standard hurdle makes for a quick climb.
The “Death Drop” has them screaming down the slide on this “world largest” inflatable slide.
Naturally, there is still “more foam” as participants near the finish line.
Much joy of accomplishment is seen on the faces of those completing the course and being awarded their towels and medals.
Each course is fully equipped with showers to freshen up at the end of a wonderful #5KFoamFest experience.
And…if you have not had enough of a thrill through the course, you can always experience “Sky Fall” on site !
All in all the #5KFoamFest produced by the team @365Sports is an experience worth taking in this summer. Be sure to check and see which stop you might experience as the team travels coast to coast this summer in Canada. Check it all out at www.5KFoamFest.ca
Be sure to tweet all about your experience @FoamFestCanada. We’ll be waiting to hear about your experience. Or join the over one hundred and fifty thousand fans now following the team on Facebook.
Have an awesome summer ! @FergDevins @DevinsNetwork