Barbarian Challenge adds grand prize giveaway for this year's competition

Greg Bailey
·2 min read

The Barbarian Challenge annually attracts a thousand or so runners to the terrain around Noccalula Falls Park and Campground, and a new twist has been added for this year’s event, set for June 15.

Greater Gadsden Area Tourism in a news release announced the Barbarian Challenge Grand Prize Giveaway, sponsored by the tourism group, Noccalula Falls Park and Downtown Gadsden Inc.

“Barbarians” who show a receipt indicating they’ve stayed at a hotel in Gadsden will be entered into the contest.

Competitors take on the obstacles during the Barbarian Challenge on June 17, 2023, at Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden.
Competitors take on the obstacles during the Barbarian Challenge on June 17, 2023, at Noccalula Falls Park in Gadsden.

The winner gets free entry into the 2025 Barbarian Challenge, two nights’ free lodging (donated by Greater Gadsden Area Tourism and River Rocks Landing) and a $200 downtown Gadsden gift certificate (provided by Downtown Gadsden Inc.).

“To encourage people to book lodging in Etowah County and make a weekend of it, we are giving them some incentive.” Tina Morrison, Greater Gadsden Area Tourism executive director, said in the release.

Another incentive to seek lodging: The park’s campground is currently closed for renovations.

Registration for this year’s race is underway at www.barbarian challenge.com. The entry fee is $70 for elite and competitive runners, $60 for non-competitive runners and $20 for the Kids Challenge.

The format will be familiar:10 kilometers through natural (like creek crossings and hill climbs) and created obstacles (like rope climbs) up and down Lookout Mountain near the park. The Kids Challenge (ages 5-12) features lesser obstacles over a 1-mile course.

The first “hordes” will hit the course at 8 a.m.; others will follow at half-hour intervals through 10:30 a.m.

Participants may run individually or as a team. Entrants under age 15 in the main event must have a parent or guardian present to sign a consent waiver and run with them, according to the release.

Overall male and female winners will receive a custom-made “Barbarian Axe.” There also will be age category winners, and all finishers in the main event and the Kids Challenge will receive medals.

The event will take place rain or shine (getting muddy is a badge of honor). Dressing in costumes is encouraged, and there will live music and food vendors offering barbarian-themed fare.

There also will be a special Friday night event, according to the release, to be announced later.

The Barbarian Challenge is hosted by the City of Gadsden and Noccalula Falls Park, and is presented by Greater Gadsden Area Tourism. Visit www.GreaterGadsden.com for a list of area hotels.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Barbarian Challenge to add grand prize giveaway this year