Abby Baur and Gene Shull, both of Twisp, at the Tough Mudder.
By Sarah Schrock
I missed a few good stories in August as each day of apocalyptic haze melded into the next. Let me take you back to the time of Smogust to recognize a most noble and courageous accomplishment that was missed: the royal crowning of the King of the Hill from the Omak Stampede Warrior Race. This year’s noble honor went to none other than our own homegrown Twispian, Gene Shull.
Gene is known for many things, most noticeably perhaps his gladiator-like appearances in recent years at the Trashion Show. But in August, Gene traded his sword and shield for sneakers to partake in The Omak Stampede Warrior, a 3-mile obstacle course that takes some grit. The race follows on the heels of the Stampede and Rodeo. However, it’s two-legged stallions and mares instead of appaloosas charging down Suicide Hill (and up it).
The event begins by running the steps of the rodeo stadium, followed by a series of physical obstacles. Challenges include scaling stacked hay bales, moving tractor tires, catapulting over walls, commando-crawling through wet trenches and culverts, carrying water and rocks overhead, and finally the most grueling event — the Suicide Hill Climb.
Oh, but before you run up the dusty bluff, first you ford the river. A ropes course welcomes you upon the summit before the return sprint back down to the hill, across the river again to Stampede Grounds where more obstacles await. The racer from each division who completes the most laps of the entire circuit is crowned King or Queen of the Hill.
Gene completed two full laps (as the only male competing in the men’s division — but who’s counting?). The Queen of the Hill completed three full laps, but again, who’s comparing-apples and oranges, right?
This was the first obstacle course event for Gene. It was a grind for the former body builder, especially in the thick smoke, but doable for anyone in average fitness level; for Gene, it was a prelude to a much more punishing event.
Over the weekend, Gene and Twisp resident Abby Baur teamed up to compete in the nationally acclaimed Tough Mudder. Similar in nature to the Omak Warrior event, the Tough Mudder is a 10-mile course with professionally engineered obstacles. Apparently, Tough Mudding has become a professional sport akin to American Ninja Warrior with its own cult following. The winner of the Tough Mudder takes home a $10,000 kitty, so these people are serious athletes.
True to its name, the event took place on the soggy earth in Black Diamond, Washington, during the rain. Competitors faced the elements, both manmade and natural, during this taxing event. Each obstacle is hard enough, but being caked in mud takes it all to another level. Try swinging on monkey bars made of rotating wheels; plunging down a culvert into a an icy slurry and swimming underwater to exit; pulling your body weight along a chain link fence in a supine position on your back in a muddy trench, trapped with only 4 inches to breathe; jumping into an 8-foot mud-filled trench surrounded by 12-foot walls, tasked with getting out; commando-crawling under barbed wire; or running through a maze of dangling electrical wires that can zap you. Get the picture? This is tough stuff.
According to Gene, it’s a trial of might and mind, and it’s an opportunity to bring out your inner beast. It’s super fun and exciting, but very difficult. Still a novice at these types of events, Gene made one major mistake besides not training — he wore shorts with pockets. His pockets kept filling with mud and water. But that didn’t break his spirit. It was the “Mt. Everest” obstacle, a 15-foot tall curved edifice (a quarter pipe) — you run up it, and people at the top pull you over — that almost did him in. Without the assistance from other competitors, he’d have surrendered defeat.
Despite it being a competition, it’s a cooperative event, where racers and team members help each other out – literally, giving a boost up or a pull over a wall. There were times he wanted to give up, unsure his mind or body could make it. But with the camaraderie from fellow racers and encouragement of his and Abby’s support team, Rosemary Seifried, Sara Billings and Kelsey Martin, the two warriors completed the trial in 3.5 hours.
Gene credits Baur as the stronger of the duo, claiming she could have left him in the dust (or mud), but she stuck with him at each section, making sure he cleared them. The two racers deserve some kudos for testing their stamina and strength, but be gentle with a pat on the back, they might be a little sore. Gene is hooked and wants to train for next year’s event, only next time no pockets.
