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CHICKCHARNEY CHALLENGE

Action from the inaugural event in held in February. The next one takes place on April 12.

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

AFTER the great success of the inaugural Chickcharney Challenge at Clifton Heritage Park last month, the organisers are returning earlier than they had ever imagined for “The Revenge” on April 12.

Hosted by a unique group called The Chickcharney Chirren, the challenge in February brought a new health and fitness experience to the Bahamas with 15 obstacles over a three-mile long course. Participants ran, jumped and clawed their way through what coordinators and challengers called the toughest event on the island. Part proceeds benefited the Bahamas National Council For Disability.

Cash prizes and awards were given to top finishers, and not one, but all Chickcharney challengers received a signature finisher’s jersey at the completion of the course.

Chester Robards, Chickcharney Chirren member, said the overall turnout of the first event was outstanding, but there were several factors that prevented even more people from taking part, including the popular charity biking event Ride For Hope, which was held on the same day.

“Afterwards we got a lot of feedback from people that participated in Ride For Hope, saying they would love to have a chance to do it another time around, and that time is now. Based on it being our first time and with it being an unknown event, I think we got a lot of participants overall,” Mr Robards said.

“It was a blessing in disguise because we got to understand how the route would work and how the obstacles would work with the number of people we had. It was a bit of a learning curve and we got the calculations right for this time.”

He said the fun day not only tested physical strengths, but mental abilities as well. Unlike a marathon or a triathlon, Mr Robards said the challenge tested a person’s upper body strength and placed them in positions that they don’t usually test their strength in. For example, crawling and pulling themselves up the challenge ropes.

“I think it taught them as well as other people that you have to change your exercise routine and add certain things. They loved Clifton Heritage Park; a lot of people have never been there, ever. I have spoken to a lot of people who have done similar challenges in the United States and they thought ours was more intense and difficult than things they have done, which was flattering but at the same time a testament to where they think they want to be in terms of fitness,” he said.

So why bring the challenge back so early?

Mr Robards said the feedback was so overwhelming, with so many people asking for more of the Chickcharney Challenge. This time around, he said, participants can look forward to more obstacles and improvements.

“We will have things more set than we did in the first one. We are going to add and improve the obstacles that we already have and change the route through the park. I think people really just want to see if they can do a bit better than they did in the first one,” he said.

Mr Robards said the goal for the first event was to put on the best obstacle challenge and mud run possible, and give people a fun, clean challenge in a area that is picturesque.

“I think we achieved that the first time and we’ll do it so much better in April. This is not a race, it’s a personal challenge. I push the team aspect even though individuals can do it, because it is so fun getting dirty and helping your friends getting over an obstacle. We had people as old as in their 50s doing the challenge,” he said.

As for the ladies feeling a little unsure about the challenge, Mr Robards said no fear, because the women who participated in the inaugural event were in as much of a “beast mode” as the men.

“I applaud all of the women who entered the challenge, and to tell you the truth, there were probably as much women as there were men. The winning team was co-ed. It is really coming to test yourself. You don’t have to be ashamed if you can’t complete a particular obstacle, no one is going to judge you; we encourage people to help each other because you don’t know where your fitness level is until you get to the obstacle and try it,” Mr Robards said.

Chickcharney Chirren is also planning something special for all the “The Revenge” participants and spectators shortly after the challenge. For more information, readers are encouraged to contact 457-0931 or e-mail chickcharneychirren@gmail.com.