Lacking madness: Khabarovsk residents participated in the Primorye 'Race of Heroes' (PHOTOS; VIDEO)

The obstacle race took place at the Gornostay training ground in Vladivostok last weekend. This year, the extreme run gathered around 2,500 participants from Vladivostok, regional centers of Primorye, Birobidzhan, Blagoveshchensk, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, St. Petersburg, Moscow, and many other regions. People came to overcome their fears and test their strength and endurance.

“We represent a group of companies, including ‘Geoprominvest’ and the football academy ‘Iskra.’ We gathered the most motivated people who wanted to challenge themselves. The selection principle was: if you didn’t hide, you’re not to blame. But in reality, everyone volunteered. Many of us participated for the first time, while others had done the race before. The most important thing is having a good team. Such camaraderie is the key to success,” said participants from Khabarovsk.

The first to start were participants in the national competitions, followed by age-group championships, mass starts, corporate teams, and everyone else. This time, the obstacle course included beam and log crossings, carrying sacks and tires, monkey bars, fences and barriers, a water crossing, ropes, and, at the very end, the climb up ‘Everest.’ In total, the 6-kilometer track featured over 20 obstacles.

“The track has 23 obstacles. These include monkey bars (classic, swing figures, rotating hexagons, etc.), water barriers, carrying various loads, climbing inclined and vertical surfaces with or without ropes. The toughest elements are the rotating hexagons, rotating half-rings, and ‘Cowboy.’ The final obstacle is ‘Everest,’ a wall about 9-10 meters high,” explained the chief referee of the ‘Race of Heroes.’

A large group of supporters also gathered at the training ground. Everyone came to cheer for their ‘hero’ and simply enjoy the spectacle. Organizers provided transportation, a rest area, showers, changing rooms, a field kitchen, photo zones, outdoor games, and other entertainment for participants and spectators. Those who reached the finish line and received a token could opt to have it engraved. As participants admitted, the race was an opportunity to test themselves and their physical fitness. It turned out that regular sports training doesn’t always guarantee success.

“A year ago, I started preparing for my first ‘Race of Heroes.’ I admit, without long training, it’s hard to complete a track with 23 challenges, most of which involve monkey bars. I even got minor injuries in some places, probably because I ran solo in the ‘mass race’ format, where you’re on your own. Those who ran in teams, in ‘platoons,’ had it easier thanks to team support, which I lacked. The team helped participants overcome obstacles much faster and more cheerfully. Next year, I want to prepare better and gather a team,” shared a participant from Khabarovsk.

However, experienced participants who had attended the race before noted that this time, they ‘lacked madness.’ In previous years, there were more water-filled trenches, and the track itself was longer. There were even tanks to crawl under, all accompanied by the roar of gunfire and smoke grenades. However, organizers decided to forgo overly extreme challenges for safety reasons. Most participants are not athletes but office workers who rarely run through mountains jumping over obstacles.

The ‘Race of Heroes’ competitions have been held in Russian regions since 2013. The first race was organized at a military training ground in the Moscow region. Since then, the geography of the ‘Race of Heroes’ has expanded significantly, with events taking place across Russia and beyond. Such races were also held in Khabarovsk before, the last time in 2018.

Gornostay training ground

The Gornostay training ground is a military facility located in Russia, primarily used for drills and exercises by the armed forces. While specific historical details are limited, such sites are typically established during the Soviet era for training purposes and remain active today. The facility supports the readiness of Russian military units through live-fire exercises and tactical maneuvers.

Geoprominvest

“Geoprominvest” does not appear to refer to a well-known cultural site or historical landmark. It may be a company, investment firm, or industrial entity rather than a place of cultural significance. Without additional context, it is difficult to provide a historical or cultural summary. If you meant a specific location or heritage site, please provide more details.

Iskra

“Iskra” (meaning “spark” in Russian) is most famously known as the first Marxist revolutionary newspaper, founded by Vladimir Lenin in 1900 to unite Russian socialist groups. Published abroad and smuggled into Russia, it played a key role in shaping the Bolshevik movement. Today, “Iskra” may also refer to cultural sites, such as memorials or museums in post-Soviet states, commemorating its historical significance in revolutionary history.

Everest

Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak at 8,848 meters (29,029 feet), is located in the Mahalangur Himal sub-range of the Himalayas on the border between Nepal and Tibet (China). First successfully summited by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953, it holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for local communities, particularly the Sherpa people, who regard it as sacred. Today, Everest is a major destination for climbers, though its extreme conditions and overcrowding pose significant risks.

Race of Heroes

“Race of Heroes” is a modern cultural event or competition inspired by ancient traditions of heroism and endurance, often resembling obstacle course races that test physical and mental strength. While it doesn’t have deep historical roots, it draws on themes from ancient Greek or Nordic hero myths, where warriors proved their valor through challenges. Today, it serves as a celebration of perseverance, teamwork, and personal achievement.

Cowboy

The term “Cowboy” refers to the iconic cattle herders of the American West in the 19th century, who became symbols of frontier life, rugged individualism, and cowboy culture. Originating from Spanish *vaquero* traditions, cowboys played a key role in cattle drives and ranch work, later romanticized in folklore, rodeos, and Hollywood films. Today, cowboy heritage is celebrated in rodeos, country music, and western festivals, preserving their legacy in American history.

monkey bars

Monkey bars are a classic playground structure consisting of horizontal bars arranged for climbing, swinging, and traversing. Originating in the early 20th century, they were designed to promote physical strength and coordination in children. The name comes from the monkey-like movement users make while climbing across the bars.

water barriers

Water barriers, such as dams, levees, and floodgates, are structures designed to control or redirect water flow to prevent flooding, manage irrigation, or generate hydroelectric power. Historically, they have been used since ancient times, with early examples like the Mesopotamian levees (around 4000 BCE) and the Roman aqueducts. Modern barriers, like the Netherlands’ Delta Works or China’s Three Gorges Dam, showcase advanced engineering to protect land and populations from water-related disasters.