Airmen train for tough race: taking the Savage course

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lauren Douglas
  • 94 AW/ PA
Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. --  Members from Dobbins Air Reserve Base participated in a mock obstacle course March 4 at the Human Performance Center here to prepare for the Georgia spring 2016 Savage Race.

Natalie Campos, 22nd Air Force executive officer and Chris Gallegos, 622nd Civil Engineer Group fire protection instructor, will take part in the challenging Savage Race course held in Dallas, Ga., April 9.

The mock course at Dobbins was 6 laps around the track with obstacles of monkey bars, balance beam walk, ladder climb and descend, tire pull, a water-hosed run and a heavy jug carry.

This will be Campos’ first Savage Race. She holds a Master’s degree in exercise science and likes to lift weights twice a day, five days a week.

“It’s just another workout for training today,” Gallegos said nonchalantly about the mock course set up by HPC fitness instructors John Mikula and Kenneth Duhart.

The Savage course consists of numerous stations where racers must run, climb, crawl, swim, swing and slide. It also includes some heavy lift and carry, and an ice pool with 60,000 lbs. of ice, cleverly named Shriveled Richard, in which participants must fully emerge themselves.
“The ice pool isn’t too bad,” said Gallegos.

Gallegos participated in the Savage Race last year, and said he has also participated in nine other obstacle course races like it. He said his favorite part of this race is the curved wall and the Sawtooth monkey bars.

There are 25 obstacles on the 7.5-mile course. Adults can participate for fun or choose to take their experience to the next level as a SavagePRO and be part of the competition.

“I like the sense of comradery and being with a team,” said Campos about her desire to participate in the 2016 race. “I like anything challenging.”

Gallegos said, “I’d like to see more Airmen participate in more health oriented activities.”

To see the courses or for more information about the Savage Race visit http://savagerace.com/. Even kids can join in on the Savage Race action. The race will feature 10-12 junior obstacles laid out on a 1/2 mile course for the younger participants.