I have been doing OCR races since mid 2016 and the Savage Race Fall was my first major one and I really had no idea what I was getting into until the end of the race. That day I was thankful I had a family member along to drive me home. Here it is 3 years later and it is fair that I review my Savage Race experience for the Spring 2019 run. I have waited a while because I was of a little mixed opinion of this experience. I had a fall where I feel I could have broken my leg which made the run a little worse for me, yet the ending that much more exciting for me when I did finish.

In Florida I really think there are 5 big races one must do. The Warrior Dash and Rugged Maniac are those short 5k races where you kind of wish there was more, The Tough Mudder which you wish would end soon at that 10 miles, and the Spartan (where i did the Beast) which was just plain torture 9 hours and 180 burpees later. The Savage Race is a perfect in between for all of those races which gives you a nice change of pace, and Florida hosts it twice a year which makes it easier to get that larger medal for 2 times in a year.

The race itself, which in Florida is about 6 miles, is perfect. I am not able to run the entire distance, but I can get a good run/jog/walk pace to no longer embarrass myself like the first year I did it. There are usually 25-30 obstacles which are designed to challenge different parts of your body as well as your mind. Where you might think one is easy, others may think it is horrifying and vice versa. Example, the Shriveled Richard has never really bothered me other than the inconvenience of being cold as hell for a couple of minutes. In difference, I have seen people freak out on that obstacle which seems simple to me. The simple ones like the Nutsmasher (to be talked about later) is easy for some and scares the hell out of me when I start to cross it.

LOCATION: The Location is at Little Everglades Ranch in central Florida. It is very easy to reach about 10 miles off of I-75. The area looks like a training ground for horse races as you start the race on a horse track. That is different and cool. After 6 races there, though, I do wish the Savage Race would find a new location. There is no longer that feeling of new and fresh when I am seeing the same sites over and over. Running this location the first time was awe inspiring and it did kick my butt. The best run here was after a hurricane and it really mixed up the terrain to give us that new and fresh look. With Hurricane Dorian possibly causing havoc in September, maybe that will once again give us a fresh look.  RATING 8 of 10

Pre-Race: Registration was very quick and painless for the times I have ran which was late morning. The festival area is pretty large with all of the facilities easy to find. The one thing I really like about this area is there are plenty of tables and chairs set up so you can sit down and relax before or after the race. It is also a great idea for the spectators that are not into running around watching on the course. RATING 10 of 10

The Race: The race itself is in organized waves. The one thing that lacks in the Savage Race I notice as a lone runner is the camaraderie to strangers. Yes, most anyone will help you when you ask, but it seems like very few will jump in and offer to help that stranger vs helping their group and moving on. I myself cannot get over The Great Wall by myself. I cannot even jump to reach the top and grab without help. Yes, I am overweight, but not huge by any means. I once stood around for 5 minutes to find someone to help me before the volunteer offered to do so (thanks dude). The obstacles are challenging and lines do form behind some of the obstacles that take time to cross such as Inversion Therapy. I feel that people feel they are being timed and after standing in lines do not want to wait around helping your buddy unless forced too. 

The volunteers are top notch, but I do not think they are really prepared for the unexpected. Back to the Nutsmasher. This is a tight rope walk across a 3inch beam of wood across some water. In my opinion I have always thought the boards were too close to each other if someone was to happen to fall. Too easy to fall into another board right next to you before hitting the water. In the past couple of events I made it no problem even though the fear of it had always been there for me. This time the fear and doubt got to me and I did fall. Realizing I did not want to break my back next to me I tried to steer myself straight down. What resulted was what I thought was surely a broken leg after the fall. Even after viewing the gopro footage after wards it did not seem anyone thought that type of fall was bad. The volunteer even said that that fall was a perfect example on not how to do it. After climbing out of the water by myself did the lifeguard see how bad I was limping and offer help. Too late, I was upset and determined to finish now.

I did finish skipping Davy Jones Jump and Sawtooth. I attempted everything else and surprising passed two that I never had before, and this was all with a bum right leg that was screaming for me to stop at every movement. I was mixed in the reactions of everyone there, volunteers and other competitors alike. I hope my situation is a learning experience for anyone else that witnessed and hope that there are personal ideals change in future scenarios such as mine.  RATING 7 of 10

Post Race and Bling: The Savage race has some of the best medals in OCR racing I have seen. Racing twice in a year makes you a member of the Savage Syndicate and you get this HUGE spinning medal which is just awesome to show off. The shirt if of a nice material and I wear mine a lot in normal day to day activities. I look forward to the bling I get from this race and always look forward to the new designs. The free beer is nothing special, it is just a beer. The shower areas have a nice changing room, but very little water pressure for hosing off. IT IS A LONG WALK BACK TO THE CARS AFTER THE RACE!!!!  RATING 9 of 10

The Savage Race is probably here to stay and one of those races I accredit to helping save my life as I am borderline diabetic. With my weight I had nothing to encourage me to go out and try to lose it. As I am now over 50 years of age, finishing those obstacles I am unable to do is my goal!!!  To do that I do need to lose my weight and this is one of the races that motivates me to want to do so.

If ever wondering “should I do the Savage Race?”  ABSOLUTELY!!!!!  Finishing it, whether with friends or alone, will give you that feeling of accomplishment and pride. Granted, you will either hate it or love it after wards, but you will be smiling when you finish it for sure. I just signed up for the November run in Florida and hoping to see all of my readers there, especially the first time runners. I have heard many people say they want to run with me, but no one has to this day yet. I am looking for you!!!!!! Race on and BE SAVAGE!!!!!

The Thrill Freak 

David “Thrills” is an avid enthusiast of thrill parks and entertainment activities in the Tampa Bay Area. I was not paid or given anything for this review. Be sure to follow me on twitter @TheThrillfreak and instagram @thrillfreak, or email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com for any questions or concerns.