First responders face danger and physical extremes every time they answer a call.
Their work is serious stuff, but to give people on idea of just what firefighters, EMTs (emergency medical technicians) and other emergency crews endure — but in a fun setting — two lifelong firemen from Hyattsville, Md. bring emergency-themed obstacle courses to venues throughout the country.
On Saturday, Sept. 8, the Ellms Family Farm at 448 Charlton Road in Ballston Spa will host Hero Rush, a 5K race with up to 20 obstacles simulating scenarios presented at emergencies. Gates open at 8 a.m. with the first run set for 9 a.m. Adult races ($74 entrance fee) and a Junior Hero’s Race ($15) are slated along with entertainment, food and a midway. Spectators can watch for free.
“Hero Rush is a new take on the adventure races and mud runs that have become popular over the last few years,” said co-founder Dave Iannone in a statement.
Iannone, along with Christopher Hebert, have been bringing Hero Rush to about two locations every month since January, with many more expected in 2013. Proceeds from the event will support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. According to Hero Rush organizers, the foundation “honors the nation’s fallen firefighters and works to reduce line-of-duty death.”
“The Saratoga event will showcase the farm’s diverse landscape, from tree farms and pumpkin patches, to trail runs through the woods,” said Iannone in the statement. “Our Heroes will face a real challenge when they tackle the mixed terrain of the Ellms Family Farm.”
Garth Ellms said the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau approached the farm about Hero Rush.
“We feel this is a great event for the area, it brings some awareness to firefighters and fire safety and it has a positive economic impact on local businesses. Our 2012 theme for the farm is fire safety and firefighters,” said Ellms.
Chuck Aiken, a professional EMT with Wilton Emergency Squad, has assembled a team of 15 firefighters, EMTs and paramedics for the event.
“Everybody was excited to participate,” he said. He has also been a volunteer firefighter with fire departments in Gansevoort and Jonesville
“You never know what you’ll walk into … everybody’s life is at risk until you have control of a situation,” Aiken said of his work.
Aiken’s team is taking part in the 343 Wave, a race within the Hero Rush dedicated to emergency workers who perished in the World Trade Center on 9/11. Many of the runners had connections to workers who lost their lives and Aiken said taking part in Hero Rush is a way to honor them.
Diane Giles, marketing director for Hero Rush, said thatfeedback from previous races has been phenomenal.
“Everyone enjoys the fact that it’s a family-friendly atmosphere– from kids and spectators and runners. It’s a really good positive vibe,” said Giles.
Obstacles along the 5K route include a Towering Inferno that simulates a fire in a multi-story building. According to Giles, the obstacle will include a situation where a fire is being fought on a top floor or roof, with water pouring down the stairwells. She said that heroes will face a narrow, watery staircase that simulates that particular scenario.
Hero Rush employs seven full-time staff members, three race directors and an obstacle crew of around 10. As of press time, 225 runners affiliated with local fire departments and emergency personnel had registered for the event, including fire departments in Burnt Hills, Saratoga Springs, Queensbury, Valatie, Verona and Glens Falls, as well as many from Massachusetts. Several hundred more runners have also registered and organizers expect 1,000participants.
Online registration for the Hero Rush will be available until Wednesday, Sept. 5, at www.herorush.com/NY.Course preview tours are available on Friday, Sept. 7 by appointment.
Volunteer sign up is accessible at www.herorush.com/volunteers. Volunteers will receive a T-shirt, food and drink and access to the Inferno Midway. Organizations bringing 20 or more volunteers receive donations.
