Barrington kids tame Tough Tiger

What's better than one run through the Hampden Meadows School Tough Tiger adventure race?

How about two runs through the course?

In fact, more than a handful of boys and girls were so excited about participating in the Barrington adventure race on Sunday afternoon, May 7, that they actually ran it multiple times. Sometimes the draw was to try to better one's finishing time. Sometimes it was just an extra dip in the mud pit.

The dirty finish to the local race appeared to be the favorite challenge for most of the younger competitors, and even a few of the older racers. (Although the line to clean up with the hose was filled mostly with people 12 years old and younger.)

The annual adventure race has grown in popularity over the years; nearly 1,000 people registered for the event this year. In order to handle the sheer volume of competitors, race organizers enter runners in heats. Racers young and old waited in a chute when their starting time approaches, and bolted down Robbins Drive for the first leg of the race once the air horn sounded.

There was a Star Wars themed challenge located about halfway down Robbins Drive, and then runners had to carry heavy sandbags on a short course once they reached the intersection of Knapton and Westwood Lane. 

There was a water bucket challenge on Hearthwood, which kept competitors cool while they ran along side streets to the Sowams School property. There, race volunteers sprayed colorful powder on the runners as they prepped for a series of obstacles. Some of the challenges were based on obstacles from the American Ninja Warriors television show.

Runners followed a wooded trail back to Hampden Meadows School, where more obstacles — including a mud pit — awaited.