Last Updated on November 10, 2020
Insane Inflatable 5k in Cloverdale, BC
Over Canadian Thanksgiving weekend we took part in the Insane Inflatable 5k in Cloverdale, a suburb of Vancouver, BC. We picked the first wave, at 8:30am and though it was cloudy, it was a perfect Fall morning for a run. We loved the feeling and sound of the leaves crushing beneath our feet as we ran in the cold and crisp morning.
Accessible Fitness & Kid-Friendly Fun
This was a great family-friendly race, with many kids taking the “challenge” as well and having a great time. Children are welcome to participate, with a minimum height requirement of 42”. It would definitely be an exciting way to introduce kids into the love of running and the importance of staying active. The fun factor of this run is a great way to hook new athletes into enjoying the world of fitness and running. The Insane Inflatable 5K makes the fun accessible to everyone, regardless of where you currently are in your fitness journey . From competitive runners to armchair athletes, everyone will have fun while trying something new. It wasn’t an intense run by any means, but a run full of fun.
Low Crowds
Maybe it was because we chose the 8:30am time slot, but there really didn’t seem to be many people there, compared to the throngs of people we usually find at fun runs. Perhaps it was because it was Thanksgiving weekend, too. It made it quite enjoyable being able to take our time on each obstacles and really savour the fun it instead of being rushed through because so many people are waiting behind you. We found the obstacles so much fun that there were obstacles where we wondered if we should run around and do it again.
Water Stations
There was one water station mid-way through the fun run and we were pleasantly surprised that when we finished the race we were each handed a bottle of water and our choice of granola bar. It was also nice to be given our shirts at the end of the race after the medals. We walked down to the festival grounds, so we didn’t bring anything with us to bag check, or a bag to put the shirt in if we were given it before the race like usual. The day-of “packet pickup” ran smoothly and efficiently, just always make sure you are there ahead of your wave time.
Deflated Obstacles?
The only frustration with this race was that there were two obstacles laying on the ground that were not blown up, so we all just had to run around them. If there was something wrong and they cannot get them inflated, that is fine, but it would have been nice to have them removed. Hopefully what looked like the Mattress Run and Wave Runner were blown up and ready for the later waves.
Take a look at some of the epic blow up obstacles:
The Insane Inflatable 5k did a great job putting a smile on your face and constant laughter in the air. The Insane Inflatable 5k will have popped up in over 120 cities this year across the United States and Canada by the end of 2017. There are still several dates left, so if it is coming near you, join the fun!
Disclaimer: Our entries to the Insane Inflatable 5K were sponsored by Insane Inflatable, but as always, our opinions are our own.