Obstacle Race
Have You Ever Done an Obstacle Race?
Obstacle races like the “Muddy Buddy” and “Foam Fest” have become a fun entertainment for many people wanting a different type of athletic challenge. Indeed, if you’ve seen them, heard about them, or participated in them, they do offer some amazing challenges that require both physical and mental strength.
This photo shows an obstacle that Synthesis designed and built for one company that hosts these events. Though it is not as shocking as some challenges, yet with the top bar 14 feet up, it takes a fair bit of metal determination to throw yourself over the top bar in order to climb down the other side.
This photo was taken the first time the obstacle was set up — in the circle in front of the owners house. The neighbors already know we’re crazy (so that’s no surprise), but this brought them all out for a look and a gasp. Certainly, the most fun part of our jobs is “testing” the prototypes and finished products.  — Yeah, someone has to do it.
What goes into designing and building an obstacle for a race? More than first meets the eye, of course. For this one, there are concerns about safety, strength, wobblyness (if that’s a word), and abuse. It also had to be reasonably light for setup and pack away into a small space (limited by the trailer size!). We’re excited that it ended up looking so simple, being so easy to erect and disassemble, but most of all, easily withstood the rigors of racing and the many people that threw themselves over the bar as part of the competition.
(If by some chance, you have a photo of this piece in action — particularly if you’re in it — please send us a note. We’d love to feature you right here with your story and the obstacle creation!)
Now you have another peak into the stuff we do. Let us know if there is something you need designed. At Synthesis we tackle all sorts of crazy and amazing engineering projects.
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