About the Race & Course FAQ

EVERYONE! Hero Rush is going to be a dynamic event that will give a variety of participants a great experience. Whether you are an obstacle race/mud run enthusiast, avid runner looking for a change of pace, a family looking for a fun day out, a fire department, public safety agency or company seeking an awesome team building activity ... coming alone or coming with a big huge gigantic group, Hero Rush is looking for you! Register today!

Note for our Junior Heroes: If you will be 14 or older on Race Day, you can run the full Hero Rush course with your parent's permission - they'll need to accompany you onsite to sign the waiver form with you.

For those under 14, there are two kid's races - see the for details!

Every course will be at least 5K (3.1 miles) ... with varied terrain and lots of up, down, under and over to make it feel FAR longer (so be in shape!). At some 2012 locations, we'll be trialing alternative routes, varied level obstacles and actual distances will vary by venue! We know you'll be challenged by the obstacles themselves, but we'll also be exploring unique ways to make the course even more so!

Hero Rush is created by lifelong firefighters and promises the most authentic firefighting experience you can get without responding to a 911 call.

Our obstacles are unique and intense! If you’re looking for new challenges, obstacles unlike other races and are ready to go beyond mud right into mayhem – Hero Rush is for you. You’ll race to the scene and tackle many things a firefighter would do at a blaze or other emergency... You’ll slide, climb, crawl, get wet, search for victims, drag and carry equipment, carry stretchers, race up stairs, fight your way through smoke and flames .. and more! Did we mention you’ll get WET?

See if you have what it takes to be a real hero. Would you catch the baby if given the opportunity? Could you free the victim trapped in a car? Look for unique surprises at each event!

The 343 Wave honors the lives of the firefighters who perished in the Twin Towers on 9/11/2001. Each participant running in the 343 Wave will wear a commemorative racer’s bib showing the name of one of those fallen heroes. The 343 Wave costs an additional $10 – all of which goes to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. Hero Rush will match that $10, for a total donation of $20 per runner in the 343 Wave.

All runners in all waves will be timed; however, only those running in competitive waves are eligible for timing prizes.

Be prepared to run, squeeze into (and through) small spaces, crawl blindly through smoke and have the heart of a hero! In the coming weeks, we’ll post a Hero Rush Training Guide with specific ways you can get in shape.

P.S. Be sure to get over that fear of heights or the dark!

Well, a real hero wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to make a save. But if an obstacle is too tough, you may skip it and still finish the course – BUT you will be ineligible for timing awards if you are participating in one of the competitive waves. Yes, we’ll be watching.

Yes, there will be at least two water stations along each 5k course, and one at the end. Remember to hydrate yourself the night and morning before you race.

No – tools and weapons are prohibited on the course. But be sure to bring your running shoes and your Most Heroic Self.

No, there is no time limit – we want every Rusher to cross the finish line! A true Hero never gives up.

For many, just being a Hero is a reward in itself. But for those of you who want to have fun FAST – and maybe take home a prize for doing it – there are competitive waves available at each event.

Based on competitive wave results, prizes will go home with the top three men and women racers, plus the top three men and top three women in each age division – 14-20, 21-34, 35-44, and 45+. The top male and female finishers from the competitive waves get a free race pass for an upcoming event.

Note, you must be registered for and run in a competitive wave AND complete all obstacles on the course in order to be eligible for timing prizes.

We’ll also award a prize to the best – and most heroic – costume! Plus we’ll add more awards for unique categories – submit your ideas for a one-of-a-kind Hero Rush prize category here.

Yes – and be creative! The most heroic (or just plain most awesome) costumes will win a prize at the awards ceremony and may also be part of online photo contests after the event. We’ll award a Heroic Costume of the Year from those who win at each event, selected online by our Facebook fans!