South Okanagan

Participants in an adventure obstacle race in Oliver were caked in mud but happy as they crossed the finish line Saturday.

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Participant in Freak'n Farmer

Although it was definitely challenging, the first ever Freak’n Farmer race at Covert  Farms was all about having a good time.

“This is so different from an Ironman where people dedicate money to training. This is just a fun new event,” said Ryu Okayama, with the four man team, The Seed Sowers.

Around 80 people of all ages showed up for the race held by Hoodoo Adventures and Covert Farms.  

Early in the day there was also the Freak’n Little Farmer event for kids.

Athletes were invited to tackle the 12 kilometre course with 18 obstacles either solo or as part of a team.

There was a recreational and competitive category with recreational participants permitted to skip any obstacle they did not feel comfortable with.

Among the challenges were taking a pipe to the end of a row and bringing it back, ducking under barbwire, crawling through mud, climbing over a wall and dragging a tire around the perimeter of a reservoir.

The event finished with a slide through the finish line. First to cross were Martina Zamecnik and Lee Agur of Summerland with the team, Amazing Manlike Creature.

The first place solo finisher was Sheldon Jahn of Osoyoos.

“This was obviously a great place to have a race with amazing scenery all the way through,” said Agur. “I will come back next year and encourage others to do it.”