Charity Run Bakersfield

Volkslauf - The Ultimate Challenge

Early in 1997 a small group of Marines got together and decided to design a 10K run which would be, shall we say, out of the “ordinary”…challenging, motivating and fun for all age groups. It almost goes without saying that right away the idea of incorporating the traditional Marine Obstacle Course into the run was a given. From there, almost endless ideas sprang forth regarding the design and feasibility of truly challenging obstacles spread throughout the 10K course.

Thirteen years, about 8,000 runners and 15,000 spectators later, the VOLKSLAUF Committee can look back to past VOLKSLAUF events where we had an Abrams M1A1 tank, a CH-46, UH-1, AH-1 and two SNJ’s (AT-6’s of WW-II fame) and GySgt. R. Lee Ermey on hand to thrill the crowds with the raw power of their presence both on the ground and in the air. We’ve had Civil War re-enactors on hand with their cannon to start the race, the Kern County Fire Dept. on hand to “cool” off the runners with a good dousing from their hoses as they progress around the course. We’ve begun (about four years ago) a “mini-VOLKSLAUF for our young Marines, ages 4 yrs to 11 yrs, with obstacles just like the “big” VOLKSLAUF…just scaled down a bit.

Today VOLKSLAUF brags about 75 truly challenging obstacles with names such as HAPPY VALLEY, CHU LAI, HUE CITY, STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN, PELELIU, INCHON LANDING, DEVIL DOG’S DITCH, HEARTBREAK RIDGE, TENARU RIVER CROSSING and (everybody’s favorite) THE WALL. And……here’s the good part…..since VOLKSLAUF is a mud run, there’s plenty of the gooey stuff to get dirty in. With about 8 MILLION gallons of water on the course, it has been suggested that VOLKSLAUF is the most fun you can have with your clothes on.

Supporting - Kern County Toys for Tots

Date: October 10, 2009
Race Registration- 7:00am till 8:30am
Start Time - 9:00am
Awards - Immediately Following Finish
TEST YOUR MOTIVATION, DETERMINATION AND TEAMWORK
Children Run FREE
Immediately Following Ultimate Challenge - Boys and Girls: Ages 4 - 11

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COURSE Course distance is approximately six miles for the 10K and three miles for the 5K. The course traverses various surfaces to include dirt roads, fields, ponds and mud trails. Numerous obstacles are incorporated into the course. Highlights include walls, trenches and mud pits!!

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RACE Individual runners or teams consisting of four runners will start the race. The first individual runner and the first four-member team to cross the finish line together will decide the order of finish. 5K winners will be determined by placing in age groups (age categories: 12-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over).

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ATTIRE Difficulty of the course and rough-n-ready attire is an integral part of the event. While safety precautions have been taken, the nature of this event recommends that runners wear attire that reduces the possibility of mishap (i.e., long pants, boots, long sleeve shirt, gloves).

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CATEGORIES Individual Male 5k (age categories: 12-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over)

Individual Male 10k

Individual Female 5k (age categories: 12-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60 and over)

Individual Female 10k

Team - All Male 10k

Team - All Female 10k

Team - Law Enforcement 10k

Team - Military 10k

Team - Mixed 10k
(Mixed team must have at least one member of the opposite gender)

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