According to the charity:water website, more than 663 million people in the world live without clean water — twice the population of the United States. Eighty-five thousands dollars raised from the previous events have been used to send water to Bangladesh, Nepal, and Ethiopia. This year, the organization will raise money to aid a community in Cambodia.
The volunteer-based Goliathon team has been working for over a year to prepare for the upcoming event, improving the obstacles and varying the course to make it challenging for serious competitors and fun for those who participate for a good cause.
The obstacles are three-tiered, ranging in difficulty for novice beginners, obstacle enthusiasts, and advanced athletes. Each tier is color-coded based on difficulty: green for tier one (easy), orange for tier 2 (more difficult) and blue for tier three (extreme.)
"It is what you want it to be," Horton said. "It is not timed, so anyone can participate, not just strong runners."
The obstacle course features a point system with points awarded for successful completion of each obstacle. Each participant who successfully completes an obstacle receives a wristband that corresponds with the color of the tier they completed.
"We tried to eliminate an excuse you could give to not do it."
"This approach creates a unique dynamic. Since you only get one try at the obstacle, do you challenge yourself with a harder tier to earn more points, or go with an easier tier that you are confident you can complete?" Horton added.
One major obstacle participants must hurdle is the "Hangman." To accomplish this feat, participants must clear an eight-foot wall, swing through a set of ropes, balance on a 12-foot log without slipping, climb through an upside down set of stairs and jump to a blue platform for completion.
"One of the things I enjoy seeing is people who would never think of ever doing anything like this, step up and do it. To see their faces after completing an obstacle is everything. It's as if they're defeating their own personal obstacles," Horton added.
Horton said the three tiers make it possible to have a 10-year-old child run the same obstacle with an American Ninja Warrior star. American Ninja Warrior competitor Jamie Rahn will make a return appearance in the October event and is one of only three people to successfully complete all tier-three levels of the course.
The Top 10 point-earners from Goliathon can qualify for the Obstacle Course Run World Championship Oct. 14-16 in Ontario, Canada.
Before the October event, the organization will hold a "Try the Obstacle Day" from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 11. Local athletes will help prospected competitors through the obstacles to get a sneak peek of what to expect. "It's a great chance to come and try a few of the obstacles and get pointers."
The next Goliathon event is Saturday, Oct. 1 at Gloucester County Fairgrounds, 275 Bridgeton Pike, Route 70 in Mullica Hill.
Registration is open to the public. Competitors can register as an individual or as part of a team. Pricing varies by age. You must be 10 years old to participate. Parking is $10 per vehicle.
For more information, visit www.goliathon.com.
Matt Flowers: (856) 486-2913; mflowers@gannettnj.com
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