DARKE COUNTY – For the fifth annual Gauntlet, the Light Foundation is seeking to make the military-inspired obstacle course more viewer friendly and more family friendly than ever before.
The race is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Aug. 13 at Chenoweth Trails, the foundation’s 450-acre facility near Greenville. More than 4,500 people used the facility last year, but Light – a Greenville native and three-time Super Bowl champion who founded the Light Foundation – said many people in the community still haven’t seen the facility.
“What we’ve heard a lot from people in the community is, ‘Hey, I’ve never been out to Chenoweth Trails. I’ve never seen it.’ Right? And, ‘When can I come out?” Light said. “We like to tell them, come out during the Gauntlet because you can see some of it.”
However, during past years spectators have been confined to the front portion of the facility, which limited their ability to watch the race or see all that Chenoweth Trails has to offer. So this year the Light Foundation has moved the Gauntlet’s base to the center of the camp and has opened up viewing areas for spectators.
“So now everything is going to be taking place right in the heart of our facility,” Light said. “And, just like if you’re familiar with the Enduro, there’s going to be checkpoints where you can go out and you can see all your loved ones that are running it go through certain obstacles. So you’ll actually be in the heart of the action in the woods or on the edge of the woods or down toward the front. You can pick whatever obstacle that you want to see. You can sit there and watch it. Or you can go visit each one of them.”
The Gauntlet features a number of obstacles that competitors must face including walls to climb, ropes to swing across and mud to crawl through throughout Chenoweth Trails, a facility that includes an outdoor kitchen, an amphitheater, a turf field and yurts.
“People will be able to see everything, and they’ll be able to go out and walk the trails,” Light said. “So if you ever wanted a chance to see Chenoweth Trails, this would be the time to do it.”
The Gauntlet, which is a fundraiser for the Light Foundation and its work at Chenoweth Trails, also includes music, food and drinks for competitors and spectators to enjoy. Additionally, the Light Foundation has added more activities for children including Nerf guns and inflatables to bounce in.
“What we wanted to turn this thing into was a big family fun day,” Light said. “So whether it’s before the race, during the race or after the race, we want to encourage everybody to stay, stick around and enjoy all the festivities.
“After the race really that’s just a time for us all to hang out for fellowship and have a great time.”
This year all parking for the Gauntlet will be done on-site at Chenoweth Trails. Shuttles then will take competitors and spectators back to the camp from the front parking lot.
“We’re really hoping that people can come out and use it as a two for one,” Light said. “Whether they’re running it or not or just coming out to see Chenoweth Trails, they’ll be able to see everything there is and what we have to offer.”
Registration for the Gauntlet is currently open, and race-day registration will be available. For more information about the Gauntlet and to register, visit www.thegauntlettrailrun.com.
