UI Veterans Association set to kick off its urban obstacle race March 30
Thursday, March 13, 2014
warrior challenge graphic

It’s not too late to sign up for the Third Annual Warrior Challenge Urban Obstacle Course race. The event is Sunday, March 30, beginning at 10 a.m. and is organized by the University of Iowa Veterans Association (UIVA).

The four-mile urban obstacle race includes everything from stair climbing at Kinnick Stadium, dubbed a “The Ironmen’s Revenge,” to a 250-meter sand bag carry, low crawls, a tunnel dash, and a cargo-net climb—just to name a few of the challenge obstacles.

"The cool thing about the race, in addition to the benefit part, is that it brings together civilians, active duty, guard/reserve, and veterans for one cause."
—Michael Considine, UI Veterans Association president

The Warrior Challenge’s start and finish are at the UI Recreation Building. The race runs through Kinnick Stadium, up to Finkbine Golf Course, down to the Cretzmeyer Track, and back to the UI Recreation Building.

The event is a fund-raiser, and proceeds from the Warrior Challenge will fund UIVA programming to help veterans make a successful transition from military service to higher education as well as to create morale building activities for student veterans. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Fisher House Foundation, a Ronald McDonald house for injured veterans’ families.

The UI currently has an estimated 1,000 UI student, faculty, and staff veterans and service members on campus.

The Golden Helmets, this year's coveted Warrior Challenge trophies for the divisional winners.
The Golden Helmets, this year's coveted Warrior Challenge trophies for the divisional winners. Photo courtesy of Michael Considine.

“The cool thing about the race, in addition to the benefit part, is that it brings together civilians, active duty, guard/reserve, and veterans for one cause,” says Michael Considine, UIVA president and a UI business management student from Sioux City, Iowa. “It’s been really rewarding getting to see people from completely different or no military background interact with one another and help each other finish the race.”

Over the past few years, organizers have drawn about 400 participants and a few hundred spectators at each race. This year, organizers hope to raise $10,000.

Considine adds that the group is grateful for sponsorship from the Center for Diversity and Enrichment in the UI Chief Diversity Office, UI Recreational Services, UI Athletics, and the UI Division of Student Life as well as more than 10 area businesses.

Considine says they currently have 300 people signed up for the Warrior Challenge, but he expects 500 to 600 people by race day.

The entry fee is $30 for current and former members of the military and $40 for nonmilitary participants if they preregister before Monday, March 17th. After March 17th, the entry fee is $40 for current or former military members or $50 for nonmilitary participants.

All participants must sign a waiver and release form. For more information or to register online, visit the Warrior Challenge website or contact Considine at michael-considine@uiowa.edu or 712-301-8024.