Wipeout Run: Fantastic Fun!

I have never run a 5k in my life. In fact, I am one of those people who is always saying they need to start working out, but never actually start. However, when I saw a deal on tickets for the Wipeout Run 5k, I put my laziness aside and seriously looked into it. After all, I used to watch the show all the time and laugh at the contestants… I obviously had to go and prove that I was way better than any of them.

Registration

With my deal, I saved money on registration fees and also got to upgrade my wipeout run t-shirt to a ‘high performance' shirt. This really just meant that instead of the regular cotton t-shirt, I got a cool black one with breathable fabric… all the better to sweat in, I guess.

When you sign up for the Wipeout Run, you have to pick which ‘Wave' you would like to run in, one or two. The waves are simply a way for the organizers to ensure that everyone is not running at the same time which allows everyone to have the freedom to go through the course without having to wait in long lines for each obstacle. The first wave is for early risers and spans between 7:30 am and 10:30 am. The second wave (obviously the one I was in) is for those who like to sleep in and spans between 11:00 and 4:30. You do NOT get to pick the specific time you get to run. You can only sign up for a Wave and wait for an email from Wipeout Run to tell you the exact time you will be expected to run.

One of the funnest parts of Wipeout Run is going through the obstacles and attempting to not wipeout. And it wouldn't be any fun if you couldn't laugh at all the people that DO wipeout. Therefore, it is essential to bring along as many friends as you can gather in order to force them to run with you and learn from their mistakes. I jest, but it obviously is more fun with a big group of people. In order to ensure that all of your friends run at the same time, one person must come up with a Team Name and register it when they sign up. Every other person in your group must then choose that team name from a drop down list in order to ensure that you all get the same start time and therefore can run together. My team was The Real Squad. Duh.

The Obstacles

Wipeout Run features many of the obstacles that are used in the show! The Chicago run on July 25th featured the following:

• Sky's The Limit: Essentially a giant moon bounce for adults. Extremely fun! My boyfriend did a little flip as a show off, but pretty much an opportunity to bounce your heart out! Quick tip: don't try and run through… two feet together bouncing is the way to go (see picture of the dude below).

• Sweeper: This one I excelled at. The object is to run across without being swept off by giant twirling arms. The best way to do it is run as fast as you can while keeping your eye on the moving arms. If one comes, duck! Afterwards, slide down the bouncy ramp.

• Foam of Fury: For sure one of my favorites. For this one, we had to run as fast as we could toward it, and then jumped in like Superman. The faster you run, the farther you will slide! When you come out the other side, you are covered in foam and water. Super fun!

• The Drop: Climb up to the top using a rope and then slide down the other side! A baby version of the giant slide at the Finish Line, but still fun. I was surprised how fast I went down.

• Smash Wall: This one uses mostly your arms and upper body strength to get yourself over the wall. They do have various heights, so there is a wall suitable for everyone. A running start is best in order to help give yourself that extra boost to get over. Also don't just throw yourself over… there is no soft landing on the other side but a platform.

• Big Balls: This obstacle is definitely the hardest! On the day I ran, only one person made it successfully over all four big red balls. The object is to bounce yourself across without touching the bottom. I failed horribly and wiped out pretty much right away. If I were to do it again, I would try more of leap frog technique instead of trying to run/jump across.

• Tumble Tubes: By far one of the funnest obstacles of the day! Grab a tube on your way up and climb with it to the top. Then, jump onto it and slide all the way down! Staff members use hoses to make the slides wet, which makes you zoom down super fast!

• Wrecking Balls: This one was not only fun to do, but very fun to watch. The object is to get across to the other side without being hit by the two big ‘Wrecking Balls.' Easier said than done, apparently. Why it was not impossible to get across (I watched several people complete it successfully, including my boyfriend), it is not easy either. Most people end up in the pool of water underneath. Check out my Instagram for a video of my attempt. Tip: Don't wear anything important on this one, as you are more than likely to end up in the water. If you lose something in the water… it's pretty much gone. One staff member did say you could return the next day to look through the Lost and Found if you do lose your sunglasses or something.

• Happy Endings: And the big finish! This is another wet slide that you have to climb to the top of. Sliding down the other side is so much fun and a great way to end the run! I screamed the whole way down!

A Few Tips

• On the big day, make sure to show up about 30 minutes before your start time in order to check your bag, pick up your registration packet, if necessary, and stretch out those muscles!
• Do NOT wear anything that you wouldn't mind getting wet! Many of the obstacles use water and if you wipeout on them, you will be left soaking wet.
• Dress up! Many groups wore matching outfits, which was fun to see. There were a lot of super heroes, tutus, and I even saw one banana.
• Don't feel like you have to run the entire 5k. In fact, most people ended up walking through most of it.
• Do it with friends! This run is way more fun if you have people to enjoy it with.
• Drink Water: there are several water stations throughout the course. make sure to stop and rehydrate at each of them.
• Have fun! The Wipeout Run is probably one of the most fun runs out there! Have a good time!

The Deal

I Spent: $93.50 $64

I Got: Access to the course, High performance official t-shirt, registration fees waived, bib and safety pins, silicone wristbands, temporary tattoo, free bag check.

Click HERE to see if the run is visiting your city! If not, there's always next year!

For more info on the Wipeout Run, check out their website or Facebook