by Michael Mills

On March 9th, I became the first ever paralyzed person to complete a Spartan race. On that day, history was made by Team Pushharder. Without my team, this would have been extremely difficult. I received a lot of feedback from people both positive and negative on the accomplishment. The positive was reassurance that something amazing happened on that day and that it proved that anyone could do anything as long as you put your mind to it. The negative was that people felt that my team carried me the entire way and that I did not put forth real effort. It troubled me to think that people felt I did not do the work to earn the title of being the first paralyzed Spartan athlete. So, I thought to myself, “what more do I need to do to prove myself in OCR?’ Then it hit me.. I would do something most able-bodied people wouldn’t even think of doing in their wildest dreams. I needed to prove myself once again and this time I want to go all out. So, that leads me to today.

I am pleased to announce that I am now officially going to be part of the 2013 Summer Spartan Death Race. I am the first ever paralyzed athlete to enter this event and I am going in it to be the first ever paralyzed person to complete a Death Race. This will be the hardest test of my life, but I will say this, I will leave every inch of my heart and soul out there to prove yet again, I am worthy of this title. Expect nothing less of me!

About Michael Mills:
Michael Mills Adventure/Endurance Athlete.

At the age of 16, I was hit by a drunk driver which left me paralyzed from the waist down. I was 16 and did not know what to expect out of my life. Not long after my injury I realized that this was a gift. It was a gift to be different and make Life worth Living. I am now 36 years old, married with three lovely children, work a fulltime job and an athlete in two sports. I have raced in over 150 road and track races in my career. I have traveled all over the world and have had the opportunity to represent my country in three events.

Competitive Bio Highlights:
Nationally and World Ranked in the 200/400/800 and 1500 meter events
2005 Selected as Most improved Athlete Lakeshore Foundation, Birmingham, AL
2005 Selected to Represent Team USA World Wheelchair Games, Rio Brazil
2007 Selected to Represent Team USA World Wheelchair Games, Taipei, Taiwan
2005 to current Team Captain, Shepherd Rehabilitation Center Wheelchair Racing Team, Atlanta, GA
2010 Selected to Represent Team USA Oita ½ Marathon, Oita Japan
2013 First Paralyzed Athlete to climb Stone Mountain, Stone Mountain, GA
2013 First Paralyzed person in History to compete/ complete a Spartan Sprint Race

Upcoming Events:
2013 First ever Paralyzed person to sign up and compete in a GoRuck Challenge (12 hour navy seal type event on 05/25/2013
2013 first Paralyzed Person to attempt to climb Curahee Hill, Tocca, GA on 06/01/2013
2013 First official ever Paralyzed Person to sign up for a Spartan Death Race to be held on 06/21/2013
2013 First Paralyzed Person to compete in the R3OPS Obstacle Course race on 07/20/2013
2013 First Paralyzed person to compete in the 2013 Mid Atlantic Spartan Beast on 08/24/2013
2013 First paralyzed person to compete in the 2013 Gulf Coast Spartan Beast on 10/19/2013
2013 Marine Corp Marathon while carrying 100lbs for 26.2 miles
2013 First Paralyzed person to compete in the 2013 Spartan Carolina on 11/19/13

Tags: Michael Mills, paraplegic athlete, spartan death race

by Carrie Adams

In 2012, the Death Race was themed, “The Year of Betrayal.”  All told, 344 would enter the race and over 82% would DNF (Did Not Finish).  The final finisher would finish in just over 67 hours.  Where 2011 saw a beginning to the race with five hours of lifting stones, 2012 began with an ultra marathon in teams carrying a heavy weight.  Denied their packs with food, water, and other precious self-support supplies, it was arguably the most grueling test to date.

Fans online remained glued to the Facebook updates as the names of those who would not finish the race piled up as the hours marched onward.  Some of our most popular posts on the year came from this remarkable challenge unlike any other on the planet.  No known start or finish time, no clue what will be asked by Race Directors Andy and Joe, it’s something you just hope to survive.

Here are the official 2012 Death Race Results, with winner Olof Dallner putting on an impressive performance (all while rocking his green sunglasses).  In addition to overall results we featured the women of the 2012 Death Race.  Notably, Amelia Boone, who finished third in the Winter version of the event, finished in second place and is planning a return in 2013.  Click HERE for more on the Women of the Death Race.

Finally, Spartan friend and Obstacle Racing Magazine editor Matt B. Davis was onsite and lent his perspective on the event from the ground level.  Awake and reporting for much of the 67 hours, his candid report gives insight into what it is like to bear witness to such a physical, mental, and emotional undertaking for the participants.  His report began with, “Betrayal. I was on site at Amee Farm less than 15 minutes when I was confronted with it directly.  I walked up to Race Organizer Andy Weinberg asking him if he had seen Todd Sedlak. I came to the Death Race to crew for my pal, Todd and I know Andy has a sweet spot in his heart for Sgt. Sedlak. Instead of being met with a smile, Andy quickly dismissed me saying, “Todd’s not here, he is out of this year’s race. If he’s not here by now, he will never catch up and finish on time”.  He then quickly walked away.  I was baffled. I had no idea at the time, but I had walked squarely into the game that was the 2012 Death Race.”

To read his full recap, click HERE.

For those of you foolish enough to want to participate, there is still room in 2013, themed, “Gambler.”  You can take your chance, roll the dice, and hope to cheat Death.  Go to www.youmaydie.com to get signed up.

Tags: 2012, amelia boone, joe desena, Olof Dallner, spartan death race, Year of Betrayal

by Margaret Schlachter, guest blogger

2010 may have been the start of my Spartan journey when I was one of the original Spartans racing in the first Spartan Race in early 2010. 2011 marked my first podium and an invitation to join Spartan Chicked from the beginning, but it’s 2012 that will forever go down in the history books.

2012 was an incredible year, little did I know that in June when I started my 2012 season I would race nineteen official times and a few laps to help out, amass seven podium finishes and never out of the top 15. Little did I know I would travel throughout the country, race countless miles, make lasting friendships, and change careers all because of Spartan Race. I could write novels about the year but instead condensed it down to my Top 10 Moments in Spartan for 2012.

Top 10 Moments in Spartan Race of 2012

10.       The Perfect Race – finishing my first race with a single penalty burpee in Amesbury, MA Sprint.

9.         Finishing 3^rdboth days in the Mid-West Super Spartan. It was an incredible weekend where two great races happened.

Margaret Schlachter and Juliana Sproles

8.         Watching the Spartan Chicked movement grow over 9,000 members. We started with a dozen women brought together with an idea by Carrie Adams and today it’s grown beyond what any could have imagined a year and a half ago.

7.         A Book Deal – Because of OCR and Spartan Race I am working on my first book due out in Spring 2014, dedicated to getting more people into racing and getting over the hurdles that stand in the way.

6.         Racing in Fenway Park – I went to college in Boston and that’s when I first got into baseball. Racing in Fenway was a surreal experience, hugging the Green Monster, burpees on the warming track, and seeing parts of the park otherwise closed to the public was priceless!

5.         The People – The Spartan Community is unlike any other in sport. The bonds and friendships formed are closer than many friendships I have had for years. Some of my biggest competitors are my best friends. The conversations on the trails during races are what sometimes got me to the finish.

4.         DNF’ing the Death Race after 25 hours of racing – More was learned in about myself in that DNF than I could have ever known.

3.         Finishing the Ultra Beast – it was more than a race for me, a goodbye to Killington, Vermont where I started my fitness journey. My last time on “my” mountain before moving to Utah, it was a race that transcended the rest.

2.         Chris Davis – Meeting and helping Chris to train for the Vermont Beast was an experience that not only allowed me to help train another Spartan but more importantly I got a great friend out of it. The first time he got over the 8ft wall in my backyard is a treasured memory of 2012

1.         Turning “pro” – In July, I quit my day job and simultaneously became the first female professional obstacle course racer. My life is my website, Dirt in Your Skirt, racing and training.

Tags: carrie adams, dirt in your skirt, Fenway, Juliana Sproles, Margaret Schlachter, spartan chicked, spartan death race, spartan race, Spartan Ultra Beast, Tales from the Chicked

by Jason Rita

Should an Armageddon or Apocalypse ever threaten the human race, I am expecting that the Spartan Women survive and lead us back from oblivion.

The Spartan Race at Blue Mountain Pennsylvania in July was billed as a marquee match up of the best female Spartans, the sport’s top obstacle racers, battling it out for glory and cash, at one of the toughest Spartan courses on the circuit.  The poster proclaimed: “We Like Our Women Fast,” and the Spartan chicks proved it that day.    But at Killington, fast definitely won’t be enough to claim the 2012 Spartan Championship and the prize money on offer.   The toughest of all Spartan courses will demand a combination of speed, agility, strength, endurance, mental toughness and acuity – all these qualities and more will be required to be crowned as Queen of Sparta.

Jenny Tobin

At the PA race, former pro Xterra and Ironman triathlete Jenny Tobin came in unbeaten, fresh off a close win at the Pacific NW Spartan Sprint Race, and carrying the expectations that went with her clear victory at last year’s Spartan 2011 Championship in Texas.   But Canadian national team biathlete and Olympic hopeful Claude Godbout took 1^st place.  (What is it about Canadian biathletes anyway? Maybe it’s the Timbits?)  Make no mistake; this loss motivated the take-no-prisoners Jenny to refocus her training in the mountains near her home in Boise, Idaho, in a calculated and determined mission to reclaim her title at Killington.    Both Jenny and Claude finished in the Top 10 overall in PA proving that Spartan women racers can challenge their male counterparts.   Jenny’s professional career in Xterra and Ironman proved that she is a money player, and she really likes collecting checks.    She has declared that she is aiming for 1^st place in both the Beast and UltraBeast distances.

Claude Godbout would be expected to challenge Jenny for pre-race favorite, but like her compatriot and fellow national biathlete

Claude Godbout

Marc-Andre Bedard, Claude (and just like Marco, coming fresh off a win at Spartan Slovakia) is not racing Killington this weekend, removing one of Jenny’s biggest obstacles to a back-to-back Championship repeat, but the multisport veteran will still face strong challenges from an amazing group of racers.

Jacklyn Rust

Included in that group is the woman who finished second to Jenny at the Texas Super Championship Race last December, Jaclyn Rust. An All-Conference collegiate runner, Jackie was slowed down in Texas because she had to do 150 burpees.  Jackie decided on her strategy last year to train secretly and Killington will be her only Spartan Race since then, and she is going all-in to pull off an upset.

Ella Ann Kociuba

Another Texas challenger is the 19-year-old phenom Ella Ann Kociuba.  Ella’s athletic talent was obvious when she debuted in the Spartan Texas 2011 race clocking a time faster than champion Jenny Tobin in Glen Rose but in an open heat, not eligible for the cash prize.  For all her promise, Ella has had to show more grit than grins as she has battled injury after injury.  Sadly it is a common theme for Ella.  We featured Ella’s battle back from a debilitating horseback riding injury as a teenager to become a true Spartan competitor.   But Ella had to pull out of the 2012 Spartan Death Race in June with a leg injury, and when she recovered to race in Pennsylvania, another injury derailed her quest when she crashed on the trail soon after the race started breaking her shin open on her already injured leg.  Despite the pain, and with blood gushing from her wound she battled on to finish fifth, surrounded by some of the same women who came to compete against her.  Ella has warned she is fully recovered, and now sponsored by Flag Nor Fail clothing, she is determined to show the doubters that the only thing between her and the podium is a race without catastrophe.  Fair warning to Ella and all other racers:  that may not be possible in Killington.

Amanda Czapa

Another young-gun who hails originally from Texas, Amanda Czapla has in fact won more races in the USA 2012 than any other Spartan woman: first-place in Miami, Carolinas and Texas, so she could establish herself as the best female obstacle racer in the world with a win in Killington.  But she admits that she doesn’t know how to swim, in which case some of the Killington obstacles might prove more daunting and distressing than otherwise.  Amanda is one of the strongest runners in the field, but the now resident of Florida could be undone by the mountainous course – not a lot of hills to train on in the Sunshine State.  We hope she was able to find a tall office building with a staircase to the roof!

No such dilemma for Margaret Schlachter of Dirtinyourskirt.com.  Margaret has home field advantage, as

Margaret Schlachter

she is a Killington local, and she showed her endurance bona fides with a third place Beast finish in 2011.  Margaret has dedicated herself unlike many others to the sport of obstacle racing, and her ultra-distance training for this year’s Death Race will mean that she will be undaunted by the Killington distance and terrain.   One of the most popular obstacle racers in the fastest-growing sport in the world, Margaret has taken a leading role in the transformation of Chris Davis as he also toes the line at Killington in his quest.  We acknowledge Margaret’s dedication to another Spartan athlete.  The Spartan Code tells us that a Spartan gives generously, and Margaret demonstrates that quality like no other.

Rose-Marie Jarry

The only racer with more wins than Amanda Czapla is Canadian Rose-Marie Jarry, who has an amazing four wins in 2012, three north of the border capped off with an impressive showing at the recent Tri-State New Jersey Super.  Rosie’s pedigree is competing as a national 800 meter runner, representing her country on the international stage, so for sure she has the speed, and the second place finish at the Ottawa Beast coupled with winning in New Jersey Super show she now has plenty of endurance.  Rose is also leading the 2012 Spartan Race Points Series competition and is determined to maintain her standing with a strong showing in Vermont.  She is well known as the owner of all-natural sports nutrition brand Kronobar and now is sharing her healthy food recipes for training and living on the Spartan Blog.  Amazingly she has run 21 Spartan Races since 2010, earning at least a cake at Killington, maybe?   Knowing her, the competitive fire that has fueled her athletic success will not be satiated with cake; her sights are more set on devouring her competition.

Andi Hardy  has had a real breakout season, registering multiple wins and multiple podiums, but

Andi Hardy

more than that, transforming herself to a serious contender at every race she contests.  Her enthusiasm for the sport of obstacle racing has seen her embark on a veritable Summer of Spartan tour, a self-funded road-trip that included 8 races across the map, with more on the calendar, and made her into a one-woman roving Spartan ambassador.  She is currently 2^nd on the Spartan Points Ranking table but more than results, Andi represents the best of Spartan racing and what makes our Spartan athletes incredibly special, always pushing herself to the limit, pursuing her passion to new realms of performance, and proving in action what is possible when you decide to change your life.

Grace Cuomo Durfee

For all the favorites above, we know there will be surprises to come to challenge the experienced racers?  Grace Cuomo Durfee suffered though 40 miles of brutal tests over 2 days during the 2011 Death Race, showing incredible physical and mental strength to finish 4^th overall and 1^st female. At Killington, she is expected to compete ferociously during the 26-mile challenge of the UltraBeast, and could blaze her way through the Beast field as well.

First time Spartan racer and recently retired professional Ironman triathlete Kate Pallardy is confident about her chances.

Juliana Sproles

And last year’s first female finisher at the World’s Toughest Mudder, Juliana Sproles has been preparing for the Vermont race by scouting and training runs at Spartan PA and MA, and the long course format of the Beast will suit her well.  Now a bona fide member of Spartan Chick’d Nation, Juliana is sure to leave it all on the course as she pursues Spartan glory.

Some other names that could shake things up include Spartan300 athletes Liz Law, Leyla De Cori, Sue Luck, Angela Reynolds, Corinne Kohlen and Irene Call.  All have raced well in 2012, and they too will be out to tame the Killington Beast and claim their place in the pantheon.

An intriguing battle awaits.  Any of these women will be worthy Spartan champions.  We know that the Amazons were a nation of all-female warriors in Greek mythology and Classical antiquity.  But for my money, it is modern Spartan Race Women that carry the battle to new heights of accomplishment and inspiration.

Tags: Andi Hardy, Claude Godbout, Corinne Kohlen, Ella Ann Kociuba, Grace Durfee, Jaclyn Rust, Jenny Tobin, Juliana Sproles, Kate Pallardy, Margaret Schlachter, Rose-Marie Jarry, spartan beast, spartan death race, Spartan Ultra Beast

by Carrie Adams

Growing up in Peoria, IL, Andy Weinberg, 41, always loved the water.  He swam competitively in high school and college, and when he did his first triathlon in high school, he fell in love.  At the time there weren’t many people doing them, and after college Andy spent a couple years really hitting the triathlon circuit.  He burnt out with swimming after a few years and decided to focus on running instead.  Admittedly never “super-fast,” he trained consistently and did 11 marathons in one year alone.

Then, after running into a hometown acquaintance at an event who told him about ultra-marathons, Andy caught the bug.  He has now completed over 40 ultras, mostly 50-mile and 100-mile distances.  Through the challenge of running extreme distances, Andy learned what it felt like to push himself and succeed.  Of course it wasn’t long until he had to try an Ironman, a double Ironman, even a triple.

Weinberg met Joe DeSena through mutual friends in 2005 where they completed the Vermont 100.  When Andy came back to Vermont for an all-night snowshoe, the two soon found themselves talking about how racers can become “soft” because they always know what to expect.  “An ultra isn’t an easy race, but when you know it’s 100 miles, you can train for that.  You can prepare for that,” Andy said.  He and Joe spent the night talking about a new kind of race.  A race in which participants wouldn’t know when it would start or finish, or even what the race would consist of.  In other words, a race that no one can train for.  Racers would simply need to summon the courage and show up.  So the Death Race was born.  Andy began putting on races in Vermont with Joe and three years later he moved his family to Vermont to teach and race direct full time.  (By the way, he biked the 1200 miles from Peoria to VT in seven days, mainly because his friends said he couldn’t.)

The Spartan Race is born out of the same spirit.  The Death Race is the most extreme and designed for only the most extreme athletes but Spartan isn’t a walk in the park.  It’s there to attract serious athletes who want to compete.   Andy says, “Spartan Race is unique because the team involved, the whole company is athletes.  They run races, they’ve traveled the world, they know racing and they know athletes.  Most of the other obstacle races can’t say that.  And Spartan events are races… not parties.  It’s about going as hard as you can.”  On a personal level, Weinberg feels that Spartan Races play a role in preventing illness by inspiring people to get off the couch and get active. “Our nation is at its absolute worst place.  Childhood obesity and diabetes are both preventable as long as you make good choices.  You just have to get out there and exercise a bit.  Why not let Spartan help you get there?”

Tags: andy weinberg, spartan death race

by Brian Ansley

The Spartan Death Race is comprised of many unique athletes, having the guts to sign up alone is a testament to the participants’ character.  It’s becoming more and more known that this race is one of the most challenging on the planet.   In order to make it through this excruciating race, these competitors need to show up in their finest physical and mental condition. I recently spoke with a 2011 Death Racer, Mr. Peter St. John. Peter who is an outstanding athlete, and who showed up to the 2011 event ready to take on any of the challenges that were going to be thrown his way. The only difference is that Peter is deaf.

Peter is 32 years old, and was born with his disability. “It has given me a drive”, he said. “Most people don’t know sign language, so it makes it hard to communicate with me.” He is originally from North Hampton, and now resides in Boston, Massachusetts where he is currently employed at Ratheon. Peter grew up with an athletic background. He played ice hockey, rugby, and was on the Lacrosse Team for Rochester Institute School of the Deaf.

He said that being deaf was, “A big role in his life, but never stopped me from doing what I wanted to do.” Peter also has a dynamic racing background outside of the 2011 Death Race. He participated in the Tough Guy Race twice, which he pointed out to me is different than Tough Mudder. “The first time I did the race I got hypothermia near the finish line.” Peter also did an Adventure Race in Vermont. “I heard about the Death Race through a friend. It was on the website, www.youmaydie.com. I saw the challenge, and thought wow!”

Peter shared with me some of the mental and physical tests that he endured while taking on the Death Race. He told me that he had to have shoulder surgery before going into the race, which was a little bit of a concern. However, he was quick to point out, “Everybody at the race was really cool, and each person had their own pressures. The challenges were really tough, but fun!”

He continued to tell me about sharing his experiences with fellow Death Racer’s at the bonfire that first night after being waist deep in the frigid river for the infamous pond crossing. He also spoke of the weather and how the menacing rain wouldn’t let up noting that at one point, “Andy threw our shoes in the woods so we had to go look for them.” During the log chopping event, Peter’s log was twice the size than it should have been. In order to save time, he did not saw the ends off. Ultimately, this is what hurt Peter physically for the remainder of the race. At approximately hour 24, Peter decided to withdraw from the Death Race. “I didn’t take Andy’s advice, and take the time to saw the ends off the log”, he said. “All my life being challenged and being deaf, I wanted to show people I could do it.”

I asked Peter what his race future looked like in 2012, and how he was preparing for it. The first thing he said was, “Winter Death Race in March.” Peter is preparing day and night by doing CrossFit, and various strength training. “I’ve got rashes all over my body.” He also said that he will remember to, “Take other’s advice next time.” Also, “To not think ahead so much in next year’s race. I will try not to be so mentally consumed.”

Peter noted, “My mom has been great training crew.” I asked if he had anything else in mind besides the Death Race for 2012. He replied, “I’m not sure yet. There’s nothing out there testing me like the Death Race.” I went on to ask how the Death Race has effected his lifelong “drive” that he has had his whole life. “My drive now is specifically something I have for the Death Race. The Death Race is the toughest race of all. It has the mental component that all of the other races are lacking. All of the other races are a cake walk.”

Tags: brian ansley, Peter St. John, spartan death race

by John McEvoy

[Editor’s Note: John McEvoy is a 2011 Death Racer and 2011 Amesbury Spartan Sprint Finisher.  He owns a CrossFit Box CrossFit Craic in Maryland.  He is currently registered for the 2012 Death Race June 15, 2012.]

Are you ready? for a Spartan Race… right now?

In a previous post I did on my website, I talked about General Physical Preparedness or G.P.P and what exactly that means. As a follow on from that, I wanted to talk about preparing for a Spartan Race.

I hear a lot people saying, “Spartan Race sounds badass, I’m going to train for it next year.”

Next year? Why do you feel like you have to wait until then? Personally, I view G.P.P as ALWAYS being ready. I do not have a ‘season’ and I do not follow a program geared towards anything specific. In short, I am always ready. If the Spartan race was tomorrow I would be psyched. If the Death Race was tomorrow, I would be psyched. Would I like a little more notice? Sure, but I would welcome the challenge tomorrow if the opportunity presented itself. My goal in life is to always be prepared for whatever happens and roll with the punches as they come. There is no program in life. You simply deal with shit as it happens.

I pick heavy stuff up off the ground and put it over my head, I sprint, I carry stuff for distance – ALL THE TIME and I think you should all do the same.

Get your asses out of the office and go put yourself through some self induced hardship.  You’ll be glad you did.

I competed in a CrossFit competition called Beast of the East (www.thebeastoftheeast.com). I registered for this event months ago having no idea what the events will be. On Monday they released 3 of the 6 events. Event 1 will be a 5km run. Event 2 will be a max weighted Turkish get up (click here http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vE27BjOqA0g to see a tutorial.)

Event 3 will be As many reps as possible in 2 mins of Deadlift @275lbs for men, 185lbs for women.

How do you train for events as broad as the above? You have to do everything.

For those of you are on the fence about doing an upcoming Spartan Race, go and register right now and start training.

Always be ready. 

Tags: CrossFit Craic, john mcevoy, spartan death race

by Carrie Adams

Spartan Radio celebrated it’s fourth show with a special guest.  Ms. Grace Cuomo Durfee, women’s Death Race Champion in 2011!  We talk about her amazing journey, what motivates her to be successful, and her upcoming race – the Spartan Beast where she’ll take on the Vermont mountains again.  We talk all kinds of Spartan Chicked and the army of ladies heading to the Beast to represent!

Grace Cuomo Durfee, Seth Durfee, and Quinn Durfee

Spartan Race’s first blog about the event is also available HERE which outlines the event and challenges in more detail.  The Death Race Episode from Hot Seat Media will go live July 16 at 8 PM EST.  Visitwww.spartanrace.tv for more details!

This weekend we head to Utah for an amazing Super Spartan in our very own Hobie Call’s backyard!  His wife Irene will also be racing – a collegiate level athlete herself we might see a Mr. and Mrs. Call first place double play!  Stay tuned after the show for some pretty hilarious outtakes including a new segment we call “Random Bleeping”!

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Tags: Joe Decker, random bleeping, spartan beast, spartan chicked, spartan death race

by Carrie Adams

Patrick Walsh, 2011 Spartan Death Race

“I wish folks would stop portraying the race as borderline insanity or stupidity. It may be hard for people to understand but I can assure you that it has nothing to do with masochism, self-flagellation or stupidity. It’s about self-mastery, learning patience, and understanding the perception of limits, which are the most sane things in the world.” – Patrick Walsh, 2011 Death Race finisher

The required gear list called for a hand drill.  Carpenter Bryan Selm packed his hand drill as required but also included an electric version as optional gear.  The rules allow for optional gear the racers want to bring, they just have to carry it throughout the course.  Lightweight and stored in a dry bag, it was a wise addition.  The drill made the task of drilling his number into his log a much faster process and his number “103″ was quickly inscribed on his 36 inch length of log.

Joe Decker, Log Drilling

Nearby, Nate Brown sized up his log and the small drill in his hands.  “It looked good on Amazon” he laughed.  It was clear, however; that his small drill would take hours to effectively complete the task at hand.  Without hesitation, Selm handed over his electric drill to Brown to use, knowing it would slow down his transition to the next challenge.  Two others used the drill before Selm ultimately set off up the mountain for Roger’s farm hike.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: grace cuomo durfee, Joe Decker, spartan death race

by Carrie Adams

The Death Race in Pittsfield, Vermont ended last Sunday, June 26th at 3 PM in the small church where it started ending the race after 45 hours.  Only 35 were left standing.

Here is the official list of finishers for 2011:

“Congrats to everyone who showed up to participate in the 2011 Death Race. It’s one of my favorite weekends of the year. I enjoy spending time with inspiring people and you all fit that mold. Special Congrats to the 35 athletes who were able to finish, 45 hours into the race.   Well done!”  –  Andy Weinberg

1 Joe Decker
2 Jeff Foster
2 Bruce Foster
4 Grace Cuomo Durfee
5 Don Schwartz
6 Nickademus Hollon
7 Ryan Leveille
8 PJ Rakoski
9 Josh Zitomer
10 Andrew Haas
10 David Harwood
12 Dennis Lesniak
13 Travis Buttle
14 Lisa Madden
15 Sean Dickson
15 Jon Weiler
17 Ian James
18 Mark Harrison
19 Mark Jones
20 Frank Fumich
20 John Wall
20 Dan Bayer
23 Eric Ashley
24 Matt Robinson
25 Jack Cary
26 Reed Costello
27 Megan Mays
28 Robin Crossman
29 Vu Tran
30 Patrick Walsh
31 Bryan Murphy
32 Rebecca Hansen
33 Joe Crupi
34 John Waite
35 Ray Morvan

So what is in store for next year’s race?  We’ll be waiting in earnest.  We do already know next year’s theme.  2012 is the year of BETRAYAL.

Tags: Nightline, Pittsfield VT, spartan death race