By Hugh Fisher

hugh.fisher@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — A new challenge is coming to the Rowan County Fairgrounds today in the form of an obstacle course and fitness challenges.

The Great Gauntlet and Gauntlet Games are a pair of fitness challenges organized by local Crossfit trainers and sponsors to provide fitness enthusiasts and families opportunities to compete and have fun.

The event starts today at 8 a.m. at the Rowan County Fairgrounds. Organizer J.C. Wooten, trainer at Railway Crossfit in Salisbury, said that as of Friday, over 100 Crossfit athletes had registered for the Gauntlet Games.

Meanwhile, hundreds more are expected to take part in the Great Gauntlet obstacle course mud run. “I’m hoping for 3,000,” Wooten said.

The obstacle course is open to individuals and families of all ability levels, with obstacles for three different levels of difficulty.

Friday afternoon, once setup was completed, trainers from Railway Crossfit gathered at the fairgrounds to try out parts of the course.

“I’m looking forward to that warped wall,” Nick Wilson said. “You see that on ‘American Ninja Warrior,’ and I’ve always wanted to try it. Tomorrow, we’ll see.”

Wooten said sponsors and equipment suppliers from Florida and elsewhere have come together for The Great Gauntlet and Gauntlet Games. This event will be the first of several throughout the southeastern U.S. during the next year, Wooten said.

Michelle Godin, trainer at Railway Crossfit, said the event is going to be a lot of fun for participants. “It’s both a mental and physical challenge. You get to see teamwork, and people overcoming many obstacles,” Godin said.

The competition includes a variety of skill levels and classes, including an Adaptive class for amputees.

Crossfit offers high-intensity interval training, with a variety of daily workouts called “WODS”  – short for “Workout of the Day.”

“Here, you’re actually doing a mud run as one of the events,” Wooten said.

And, much like Crossfit itself, Wooten said, at the event, “you’re not just working out by yourself with earphones on. You’re doing the exact same (event) and you’re cheering each other on.”

“It does not matter what your fitness level is, you can dominate one of these levels,” Wooten said.

More information is available at www.thegreatgauntlet.com/events/.
Contact Hugh Fisher via the editor’s desk at 704-797-4244.