Sept. 27, nearly 4,000 civilians will accept the Bootcamp Challenge 2014 at San Diego’s Marine Corps Recruit Depot during Fleet Week. Move over, Tough Mudder. Step aside Spartans, this is one race that allows entrants to compete on the same obstacle course that tests our U.S. Marine recruits.
This is the thirteenth year for Bootcamp Challenge and proceeds benefit the Quality of Life programs for Marines aboard the MCRD San Diego. This September is the only time civilians get behind-the-scenes access to the base and the opportunity to do the same obstacle course as Marine recruits. No sugar coating it–guys like Sergeant Scott Ruby mean business and as Ruby says, “You will finish this race.”
The three mile run is part obstacle course, featuring the very same physical challenges that Marines Corps recruits encounter during their training. In addition, more than 60 United States Marine Corps Drill Instructors will be on hand to encourage participants as they tackle the course.
The course will take place on paved roads and hard-packed dirt. Participants will face more than 40 obstacles, including hay jumps, tunnel crawls, log hurdles, six foot walls, trenches, cargo net walls and push up stations throughout the race. USMC Drill instructors will be at each station to make sure you’ve completed the obstacle. Awards will be handed out to the top three finishers in each of the 29 categories divided into different age groups, individual performances, and team performances.
The Bootcamp Challenge 2014 begins at 9 a.m. Sept. 27. The race will begin in 5-minute waves, starting with the elite division, then individual men, individual women, 3-person teams and lastly, the 5-person teams. Day of race registration and t-shirt pickup begins at 6:30 a.m. The event will be followed by a post-race party, featuring music, food, and fun and beer. Registration is now open online for individual, 3-person teams, and 5-person teams for this year’s Bootcamp Challenge. Registration for the event is $39 per individual, $117 per 3-person team, and $195 per 5-person team. Registration is available online at www.bootcampchallenge.com. All participants will receive official race T-shirts.
