# Warrior Dash

2016 Warrior Dash Obstacle Collapse
On October 9, 2016, a climbing obstacle known as the "Diesel Dome" collapsed during a Warrior Dash event at the West Feliciana Parish Sports Park, located approximately 30 miles from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The incident occurred after 1:00 PM when more than 20 participants were simultaneously on the 30-by-50-foot arched wooden framework. Twelve people were transported to hospitals by ambulance or helicopter, including a 10-year-old child. Injuries included broken bones, lacerations, and back and neck trauma. Nurse Brandi Taylor, who suffered a broken arm in the collapse, reported that the structure appeared "structurally unsound" and fell in "slow motion."
Investigation and Legal Consequences
In August 2017, following an investigation by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office, arrest warrants were issued for five individuals. Two North Carolina contractorswere charged with 13 misdemeanor counts of negligent injury and one felony count each for contracting without Louisiana licensure. Three Red Frog Events employees were charged with negligent injury.
Safety and Construction Violations
The investigation revealed multiple safety and construction failures. Safety monitors, many approximately 13 or 14 years old, were provided radios but no instruction regarding participant capacity limits. Construction deficiencies included the use of 2x4-inch boards where plans specified 2x6-inch boards, and inadequate nailing. According to Chief Deputy State Fire Marshal Brant Thompson, when boards became detached from the main frame during the event, organizers attempted minor repairs rather than closing the obstacle.
The event organizers failed to follow written company safety procedures, including:
· Proper construction verification
· Monitoring of obstacles during the race
· Positioning of staff members at each obstacle for safety supervision
The event was the fourth Warrior Dash held at this location, with 6,500 pre-registered participants. Despite thousands of competitors safely traversing the obstacle before its collapse, investigators questioned the stability of other obstacles at the site. These events were widely reported in the news at the time...
Warrior Dash was a 5 km mud run put on by Red Frog Events, an event company based in Chicago, Illinois. As of July 31, 2019, Red Frog events is no longer a company and has cancelled all Warrior Dash races and ceased operations.

## History
### 2009

The inaugural Warrior Dash took place on July 18, 2009, in Joliet, Illinois, at CPX Sports with 2,000 participants.

### 2011

The 2011 Warrior Dash season hosted 33 races throughout the U.S. and internationally in Canada and Australia. Total participants for the 2011 season neared 700,000.

### 2012

Red Frog Events hosted 49 Warriors Dash events in their 2012 season, their largest season yet.

### 2013

| Warrior Dash 2013 | Location | Date |
| Central Florida | Triple Canopy Ranch - Lake Wales, FL | February 2 |
| Hawaii | Dillingham Ranch - Wailaua, HI | February 23 |
| Central Texas | Rocky Hill Ranch - Smithville, TX | March 16 |
| SoCal | Storm Stadium - Lake Elsinore, CA | April 6 |
| Arizona | Camelback Ranch-Glendale-Phoenix, AZ | April 13 |
| Georgia | Foxhall Resort and Sporting Club - Douglasville, GA | April 13 |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Off Road Adventures - Jackson, MS | April 20 |
| New Mexico | Balloon Fiesta Park - Albuquerque, NM | April 27 |
| Kansas City | Platte Ridge Park - Platte City, MO | April 27 & 28 |
| Arkansas | Timber Lodge Ranch - Amity, AR | May 11 |
| Maryland | Budd's Creek Motocross Racetrack - Mechanicsville, MD | May 18 & 19 |
| Oklahoma | Moore's Flying M Ranch - Inola, OK | May 18 |
| Carolinas | Historic Rural Hill - Huntersville, NC | June 1 |
| Ohio | Clear Fork Resort - Butler, OH | June 1 |
| Nebraska | Pheasant Bonanza - Tekamah, NE | June 8 & 9 |
| Illinois | Dollinger Family Farm - Channahon, IL | June 15 & 16 |
| Minnesota | Afton Alps - Hastings, MN | June 29 |
| Massachusetts | Carter and Stevens Farm - Barre, MA | June 29 |
| Washington | Kelley Farm - Bonney Lake, WA | July 20 |
| Ontario | 1101 Horseshoe Valley Road - Barrie, ON | July 20 |
| New York | Windham Mountain - Windham, NY | July 27 |
| Michigan | E.A. Cummings Center - Mt. Morris, MI | July 27 & 28 |
| New Jersey | Lewis Morris Park - Morris, NJ | August 3 |
| Wisconsin | Milford Hills Hunt Club - Johnson Creek, WI | August 3 |
| Kentucky | Life Adventure Center - Versailles, KY | August 10 |
| Ohio II | Clay's Park Resort - N. Lawrence, OH | August 10 & 11 |
| Colorado | Copper Mountain Ski Resort - Copper Mountain, CO | August 17 |
| Indiana | Tom's Marine - Crawfordsville, IN | August 17 |
| Wisconsin | Milford Hills Hunt Club - Johnson Creek, WI | August 18 |
| Iowa | 137th Street - Earlham, IA | August 24 |
| Pennsylvania | Pocono International Raceway - Long Pond, PA | August 24 |
| Minnesota II | Woodloch Stables - Hugo, MN | September 7 |
| Oregon | Horning's Hideout - North Plains, OR | September 7 |
| Michigan II | Walker, MI | September 21 |
| Connecticut | Thompson, CT | September 21 |
| Missouri | Wright City, MI | September 28 |
| Virginia | Colonial Downs - New Kent, VA | September 28 |
| Tennessee | Milky Way Farm - Pulaski, TN | October 5 |
| Louisiana | West Feliciana Parish Sports Park - St. Francisville, LA | October 12 |
| NorCal | Yolo Land & Cattle Co. - Esparto, CA | October 26 |
| Alabama | Munny Sokol Park - Northport, AL | November 2 |

### 2019

As of July 31, 2019, Red Frog Events announced that it will cease operations and all scheduled races were cancelled. They offered no refund for anyone, took money from participants and continued to advertise, knowing they were going to close up shop. Red Frog has not responded to messages. Other races have attempted to fill the gap by offering free admission for those registered for a Warrior Dash that was cancelled.

## Registration

Registration for Warrior Dash takes place online prior to deadlines put forth by Red Frog Events. Pricing depends on location and the length of time until the event. All registrations close on the Tuesday before each specific event at 11:59 PM (CST).
With registration, each participant receives:
* Race bib
* As of 2014, races are self-timed.
* Warrior Dash participant T-shirt
* Warrior Dash helmet
* One free beer (for those who are of legal drinking age; redeemable by bib tear-off)
* Finisher medal
* Post-race snack and water

## Race Day

Race organizers provide parking on site or a free shuttle system from an off-site parking venue. Parking prices are currently $10 per car at each event. Warrior Dash organizers also provide a "Gear Check Tent" where participants are able to store belongings.
Runners gather in the start corral prior to their designated wave time. The course is roughly 5 kilometers long with at least 12 obstacles to overcome before reaching the finish line where they will receive a finisher medal, snack and water. The race is self-timed. There will be a clock at the start line. Racers are encouraged to bring a waterproof watch.
Warrior Dash provides additional forms of entertainment that vary at each event. Examples of such forms are axe-throwing contests, fireworks displays and chainsaw carving displays.
At each Warrior Dash, there are several awards presented to participants. Each participant is eligible to win awards for:
* Top three overall male and female times
* Top three males and females in each age division
* Best Warrior beard
* Best costume

## Charity partnerships
### St. Jude

Each participant has the opportunity to raise funds for St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Warrior Dash does not contribute any portion of their revenue to St. Jude. Rather, all of the funds raised for St. Jude comes directly from the participants.

### Fundraising opportunity

Warrior Dash provides monetary donations to local organizations that volunteer at events. By volunteering at Warrior Dash, local organizations such as athletic teams, nearby school and non-profit organizations are able to raise funds based on the number of group members who volunteer at Warrior Dash.

## Sponsorships

Warrior Dash has multiple national sponsors as well as local sponsorship opportunities on a market basis.
Sponsors in 2011 include Bear Naked and Monster Energy. A sample of additional sponsors are:
* Sponsor
* Pyramid Breweries
* U.S. Marine Corps
* Athletes Honey Milk
* Pacific Monarch Resorts
* Shock Top
* Honest Tea
* FUZE
* Degree deodorant
* Otterbox
* Stanley
According to a 2010 Warrior Dash participant survey administered by Red Frog Events, Warrior Dash on average draws participants from 47 states and three countries. According to the National Association of Sports Commissions (NASC), direct spending on average by Warrior Dash attendees from one event is $4.5 million. Of this total, the average revenue generated is $1.3 million from hotel sales, $1.3 million from restaurant sales, $849,000 from local store sales and $823,000 from attendee gas sales.
The survey also reports on average 26.9% of attendees purchase local hotel rooms, 63% of attendees dine at local restaurants, 32% of attendees shop at local businesses and 23.5% of attendees purchase gas from local stations.
Indianapolis-based PROS Consulting LLC has estimated an impact of $4,875,392 from participants, as well as 168 jobs created from tourist spending.

## Closure of Red Frog Events

As of July 31, 2019, Red Frog events announced their closure and has cancelled all Warrior Dash races and ceased operations.