OBSTACLE SPORTS
Words: Jacky McClean / Newsport Media | Photos: The IMPI Challenge
IMPIChallenge taking the country by storm!
Starting out as the brain child of three young pioneers in search of an innovative adventure that could be tailor made for the South African market.
New Balance Lilly Pads.
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Five years down the line the New Balance IMPI Challenge continues to set the pace as the original and most progressive obstacle course trail run in the country. According to Pieter du Plessis, race director, participant experience will always be at the forefront of this event. "The New Balance IMPI Challenge is a national event that has attracted over 10,000 participants within the three regions this year. Although challenging, all obstacles are safe and a fun, social, and relaxed environment is maintained at all times, it’s the IMPI gees that attracts people. "Venues are specifically chosen for their exclusivity and ability to accommodate innovative obstacles that will challenge participants both physically and mentally in the ultimate adventure challenge. A New Balance IMPI Challenge course will always feature loads of fun in the mud, with a good variety of terrain, from jungle sections, to sugar cane fields, awesome scenery and a good measure of hills. Basically we’ll make good use of whatever is on offer at the selected venue. On completion of the course, competitors are left with a sense of achievement and pride after earning the right to be called a New Balance IMPI," says du Plessis. A huge draw card of the New Balance IMPI Challenge is that all events are spectator friendly. Family and friends are encouraged to show support on the day, while soaking up the vibe in the Festival Village that includes live entertainment, a food village, and beer tent.
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Getting down and dirty in the mud.
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IMPI Challengers SUCCESS!
Community support After each event, IMPIs are encouraged to donate their slightly worn running shoes to the New Balance IMPI Shoe Power project. A local beneficiary will be identified in each region and the shoes washed and handed out to under-privileged individuals, who cannot afford their own.
The New Balance IMPI Challenge also supports the Woodside Special Care Centre, a private residential home for intellectually and physically disabled children and young adults.
Established in 1976, the Woodside Special Care Centre offers a wide range of services designed to promote the development of each of its children. • For more information on the New Balance IMPI Challenge, visit www.impichallenge.co.za. Like their Facebook page: Impi Challenge or follow them on Twitter: @impichallenge
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Upcoming events Participants can enter individually or as part of a team (teams vary in size from two to ten people).
Gauteng: Venue: Van Gaalens Cheese Farm (Hartbeespoort / North West Province)
New Balance IMPI Elite Race Date: Start: Format:
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Saturday, 28 September 2013 07h00/ 100 competitors 18 km trail run featuring around 25 challenging obstacles
New Balance IMPI Challenge Date: Start: Format:
Saturday, 28 September 2013 09h00 onwards / 1,500 competitors 12 km trail run featuring around 18 fun obstacles
Date: Start: Format:
Sunday, 29 September 2013 07h00 onwards / 1,500 competitors 12 km trail run featuring around 18 fun obstacles
Cape Town: Venue: Lievland Wine Estate and Wiesenhof Legacy Park, Stellenbosch
New Balance IMPI Elite Race Date: Start:
Saturday, 19 October 2013 08h00 / 100 competitors
New Balance IMPI Challenge Date: Start:
Saturday, 19 October 2013 09h15 onwards / 1,500 competitors
Date: Start:
Sunday, 20 October 2013 08h15
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4 FROM LEFT TO RIGHT 1. Dressed to kill! 2. Crazy costumes - Smurfs dressed up! 3. Rawson’s Wall. 4. Mr lacy sewer.
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BREATHABLE FABRIC WITH LITTLE SILVER DOTS THAT REFLECT BODY HEAT. KEEP YOUR WARMTH, NOT YOUR SWEAT • COLUMBIA.COM/SILVERDOTS
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