Courtesy Terri Rivera

Adrenaline junkies… get ready for the wildest Obstacle Course Challenge this side of Insanity. The Brookfield Chamber of Commerce has merged their annual Insanity Run with the B.A.D. Obstacle Challenge, a world wide Obstacle Course Challenge & Adventure Run Series, making Brookfield home to its Chicago tour stop on Saturday, August 31st, 2013 at Kiwanis Park. The race, presented by the Brookfield Chamber of commerce and brought to you by the Brookfield Zoo, will consist of a 7k (4.4 miles) course that will boast unconventional, but achievable obstacles that are truly “BADASS”.

Grant Reeves, CEO for the B.A.D. Obstacle Series states, “We have heard great things about the Chamber’s Insanity Run the last 2 years. After following it on Facebook, we saw the racers all not only asking
for more obstacles but also to make them bigger and badder so when we decided to add Chicago as a market in our 2013 tour, it was a no brainer for us to reach out to the Brookfield Chamber to see if they would be interested in merging with us to give the residents of Brookfield and the surrounding communities that come into town to race exactly what they asked for.” Reeves points out, “We are going to triple the amount of obstacles the Insanity Run had last year and while we plan on having some of the mainstream obstacles one can find at most Adventure races, our choice to transform this beautiful downtown into an Obstacle Course Challenge certainly lent itself to having some “outside the box” ideas that translated into unconventional challenges for each competitor to overcome… and, on top of that, we’re not going to tell the racers every obstacle that is on the course as the element of surprise is badass itself, leaving each and everyone who finishes with the true feeling of accomplishment when they cross the finish line, as they will be able to say… NOW THAT WAS BADASS!”

As part of the merger, B.A.D. Management has agreed to offer all past Insanity Run competitors a discounted entry fee of $40 for this year’s race but this offer will expire May 7th so DON’T DELAY… REGISTER NOW AND USE THE PROMOTIONAL CODE “INSANITY” TO SAVE $20 OFF YOUR REGISTRATION AT BADASSDASH.COM

B.A.D Obstacle Challenge racers will have the opportunity to compete individually or as a team and register for one of 2 Divisions. The RECREATION division, which can be anyone from an avid racer to a weekend warrior looking for a new personal challenge, is geared toward those who are not specifically trained in Obstacle Course Challenges or Adventure Races but want to set a goal on the finish line and then achieve it. The other division is ELITE and as the name clearly depicts – this class is geared toward individuals who are well trained and are looking to get after it while having the race of a lifetime. This division will showcase the best of the best in Obstacle Course Challenges and Adventure Races with opportunities to win big prizes and even bigger bragging rights.

All competitors will be chip timed and regardless of the division selected, each racer will be placed within one of seven (7) competitive age categories. Youths that are 4 – 13 years old may also compete by registering in the Mini B.A.D. Challenge.

Those not racing are encouraged to travel the course alongside the racers and cheer them on as they move from obstacle to obstacle as well as joining in the festivities of the post-race Bonfire Bash which will host racers, vendors and spectators in a festival atmosphere with the inclusion of live entertainment, a beer garden, food & beverages, expo area, awards ceremonies, contests and prize giveaways.

The B.A.D Obstacle Challenge benefits Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. It is Autism Speaks firm belief that, working together, we will find the missing pieces of the puzzle. We are committed to raising the funds necessary to support these goals. The cause is bigger than the obstacles.

Brian Sharenow, Brookfield Chamber Member and Race Director for the B.A.D. Obstacle Challenge states, “Individuals within the Autism spectrum often experience the daily stress of feeling like a square pegs trying to live in a world of round holes. 

At each of the B.A.D. events, thousands of participants celebrate the challenge of trying to overcome obstacles they wouldn’t normally face in our everyday lives. And although part of the thrill and excitement of the race is working toward conquering those obstacles, there’s a certain amount of relief that comes from knowing there’s a finish
line.” Sharenow points out, “There’s an immense feeling of satisfaction knowing you completed that LAST obstacle and are headed toward the coveted finish line to celebrate with friends, family and/or fellow racers. However, for individuals within the autism spectrum, the obstacles never end – there’s always one more obstacle. The focus of these events is to hopefully one day provide those with Autism their finish line.”

To find out more information on the entire race series, visit www.badassdash.com or check out Facebook.com/thebadassdash.

About BADASS Dash™
BADASS Dash™ benefits Autism Speaks, an organization dedicated to funding global biomedical research into the causes, prevention, treatments, and cure for autism; to raising public awareness about autism and its effects on individuals, families, and society; and to bringing hope to all who deal with the hardships of this disorder. It is Autism Speaks firm belief that, working together, we will find the missing pieces of the puzzle. We are committed to raising the funds necessary to support these goals. The cause is bigger than the obstacles. For more information, visit www.badassdash.com. Find BADASS Dash™ on Facebook and follow on Twitter.

About Autism Speaks and Autism Speaks Canada
Autism Speaks together with Autism Speaks Canada forms North America’s largest autism science and advocacy organization. It is dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention and treatments for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families. Fund raising walks for Autism Speaks are held across North America including 6 sites in Canada. Funds raised through walks and other events support Canadian autism research and community grants to agencies across Canada that work directly with children, youth and adults with autism. To learn more about Autism Speaks Canada, please visit www.autismspeaks.ca. For more information on the Walk Now for Autism Speaks events, please visit www.walknowforautismspeaks.ca. Information on Autism Speaks U.S can be found at www.autismspeaks.org