Running, like eating or lifting heavy goats, was once a basic survival skill that is now considered a sport. Show off your athleticism with today’s Groupon: for $52, you get registration and a VIP package to the Gladiator Rock’n Run 5K race on Saturday, April 28, at Orange County Great Park in Irvine (up to a $115 total value). The first wave of runners departs at 7:30 a.m., and subsequent waves of up to 500 runners take off every half hour until 1 p.m. Sign up for any wave during race registration. Participants must be 14 or older and must register via email.
- The 5K race registration includes:
- One Gladiator Rock’n Run T-shirt
- One Gladiator Tough finishers’ medal
- Admission to a postrace party featuring three live bands
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One complimentary postrace beer (only for participants 21 or older)<p>
- The VIP package includes:
- A second complimentary beer
- One SuperSports digital photo
- VIP parking
- Access to special VIP areas, including VIP check-in, bag check, T-shirt pickup, and restrooms
Presented in part by Dan Clark—also known as Nitro—of American Gladiator fame, the Gladiator Rock’n Run pairs an obstacle-heavy running course with postrace entertainment, including beer, music, and food. Footage from previous events documents the insanity from 5 kilometers’ worth of collective scampering. The course forces participants to dance through tires, army-crawl through mud, clamber up rope ladders, and juke past EMTs to avoid being tackled. The VIP package ensures parking closest to the race’s start, accelerated check-in, and access to VIP restrooms and bag check. Participants 21 or older receive two free beers, which can be guzzled in celebration or slingshotted skyward in a sacrifice to the running gods. Gladiator Rock’n Run’s proceeds go toward a good cause, helping to raise money for TACA (Talk About Curing Autism).
The Rock’n Run’s spectator-friendly course feeds into the after-race party, which helps exhausted runners forget about their burning calves and mud-splattered souls with ample beer, food, and music from live bands. Day-long gladiators should arrive with a picture ID, a change of clothes, and a signed copy of the Gladiator Rock’n Run waiver.
Gladiator Rock'n Run
Presented in part by Dan Clark, also known as Nitro, of American Gladiator fame, the Gladiator Rock'n Run 6K pairs an obstacle-heavy running course with post-race entertainment, including beer, music, and food. Six kilometers’ worth of collective scampering awaits participants as muscle-testing obstacles impede progress to the finish line. Those prepared to race must dance through tires, army-crawl through mud, and clamber up rope ladders to avoid barrels thrown by giant apes. The roar of spectators rings throughout the course as bystanders cheer on runners to inspire strong finishes. Gladiator Rock'n Run proceeds go toward a good cause, helping to raise money for TACA (Talk About Curing Autism), an organization that provides education, support, and information to aid parents in helping their children diagnosed with autism.