Rampage at the RAC – Ramping Up Fun on an Obstacle Course

By Taryn Kama

Victoria Valles first thought, when she heard of Rampage at the RAC, was participating with her father.  She thought it would be a fun father-daughter activity.

And she was right. The 5k obstacle course event, which includes: slogging through a mud pit, scaling a cargo net, running up a sand hill, careening down a giant slip and slide, crawling through a giant tunnel, and finally jumping over fire and other obstacles is “just a really fun time,” according to Valles.

The event, organized by the City of Lacey Parks and Recreation Department, is entering its third year when the race kicks off on Saturday, October 12 at the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC).

Two years ago, Victoria, age 21, recruited and her father, Mike, to do the event.

“The first year we did it, I was in better shape and the next year she had to drag me along. This year, it will be a tiebreaker. I have been getting in shape for it,” said Mike.

Mike, 47, said he has been training for the Seattle Marathon this year and hopes to be in great shape by the event.

Victoria has also been running. “I am going to beat him this year, “ she said with a laugh.

While the two joke about the Rampage at the RAC being a competition, it’s not a competitive or timed event.  Organizers encourage the friendly competition and permit friends and family to sign up to start in the same wave.

“We made the decision to not time it because it does add a level of competitiveness. We want people to go out and do something healthy and active and not hurt themselves or other people to get the best times,” said event coordinator, Jenny Wilson.

“There is something about obstacle racing that gives me and others the feeling of being a kid again,” commented 360 Fitness owner and personal trainer Jennifer Willms.  “Who doesn’t want to slide down a giant water slide and and participate in something where it’s completely acceptable to throw mud in the face of your teammate and they actually like it?”

“The Rampage is a great event for adults who want to act like kids again. Some people think it’s going to be too difficult or challenging, but everyone can go at their own pace. They can run, walk, skip, or trot,” continued Wilson who says that the 5k route can be completed in under an hour.

“It really depends on what people are doing. If they are running, some people can get through it really quickly. For some people, it will take an hour,” said Wilson.

“It’s not a super hard course. It’s something anybody could do,” confirmed Victoria.

“Rampage at the RAC is a great foray into obstacle racing for anyone who hasn’t done a race like this before,” noted Willms.  “The goal is to show up, take it at your pace with the help of your team and finish strong.  At the end you feel accomplished and you will definitely want to do it again.”

“It’s our time and it’s just a fun time. It’s a well-organized program and you never know what they are going to do next,” Mike said.

Wilson said the first year there were 1200 participants and they are hoping for similar numbers this year.  To help boost participation and respond to requests, the Rampage at the RAC is now open to teenagers 14-years and older which will run the last three waves.

Also new this year will be more obstacles. “Our goal is to add at least one new obstacle every year, without taking anything away,” she said.  Watch for an adult-sized monkey bar, using upper body strength, and a balance beam.

Registration closes on September 27.  There is space in each wave, leaving every 30-minutes, for 125 people so grab your friends and sign up.

Event registration is available here and costs $59 per person.