The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
WYLD Obstacle Run set for Saturday at Camp MOE
TORRINGTON » After being held for the last three years in Western Massachusetts, the Northwest CT YMCA’s WYLD Obstacle Run is returning to Torrington.
On Saturday, June 24, athletes will gather at Camp MOE to put their strength, grit, stamina and determination to the test. More than 30 obstacles will be spread across the 5K course. Camp MOE, with its pond, trails, climbs, streams and open fields, Race Director Mat Montgomery said, is “a terrific setting for a memorable obstacle race.”
“Camp MOE has been a great partner and the property provides an amazing space for a challenging course, but one that is going to be a ton of fun for people of all levels,” Montgomery said, in a written statement. “Some of the obstacles include wooden walls, tunnels, slacklines — and even a few surprises around every corner.”
This year’s event will once again feature the 1-Mile CRAZY Kids Challenge course, which is made up of more 15 obstacles, including a mud pit, tunnels, and small walls. The CRAZY Kids Challenge is open to children 12 and under and is just $10 to participate.
Registration for the WYLD Run is $55 for individuals, $50 per person for teams of 5-9 people, and $45 per racer for teams of 10 or more. Registration on the day of the event is $65. The WYLD Run is scheduled to begin at 11 am. The kids’ race will begin at 10 a.m. To register visit nwctYsports.org, or search WYLD Run on active.com.
It’s the family fun atmosphere that has Caitlin Vinuelas excited to take on the WYLD Run again this year.
“I loved participating in the WYLD Run last year and can’t wait to do it again this year,” Vinuelas said. “It is great to be part of such a fun event where people of all ages and ability levels challenge themselves. From the kids fun run to the full obstacle course, it’s nice to see friends and family come together and have a great time.”
After the race, participants can explore the camp enjoy a free cookout.
The WYLD Obstacle Run is the first race in the Y’s Grand Prix Race Series. Last year, the four-event race series raised more than $22,000 to aid the Y’s charitable services, helping to make sure it can offer its services to all, and continue to be instrumental in building strong communities through programs and initiatives that focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The run is made possible by the contributions of its many volunteers and financial support of its sponsors including Center Subaru, Valley Energy, Dunkin Donuts, Action Wildlife, Union Savings Bank, Thomaston Savings Bank, Brooks, Todd & McNeil, Goff’s Equipment, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, and several others.
“It continues to be our goal that every individual who comes to us, regardless of age, income or background has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive,” said Greg Brisco, Northwest CT YMCA CEO. “Each year the needs of our community grow, and with limited resources we look for creative ways, like the WYLD Run, to meet those needs.”
Dr. J. Michael Curi, an avid mud run participant who helped start the WYLD Run six years ago, is expecting this year’s event to be the best one to date.
“We’ve taken the best ideas and obstacles from our first five years and designed our best course yet at our most beautiful location yet. Camp MOE is a gorgeous canvas upon which the WYLD Obstacle Run team has created the most fun, innovative, creative and inspiring event to date,” Curi Said. “The CRAZY Kids Challenge takes advantage of this fabulous camp and the only ones who will have more fun than the kids are the folks who race the full event.”
The Northwest CT YMCA is part of a 250-plus-yearold worldwide organization that strengthens communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, with locations in Torrington, Canaan and Winsted. The Northwest CT YMCA has served Northwest Connecticut for over 130 years, now serving more than 10,000 individuals annually through its programs and services, which include: health and wellness, swimming and sports, summer camps, childcare, youth and government, the Winchester Youth Service Bureau, the Torrington Trails Network, Winsted Trails, Literacy Volunteers of NWCT, low-income housing and an emergency homeless shelter.