This was my first delve into the world of obstacle racing and I have to say it was an absolute blast. I wasn't really sure what to expect and was terrified of falling off something in front of other people, but in retrospect that was half of the fun. Hubs and I were a part of the 9am wave of runners and were corralled in the holding zone right around 9:15. The hype-man was totally entertaining and the music was good, so waiting to go wasn't that bad. I do wish there had been a better system to indicate which time was up though. Since it's a messy race I didn't have a watch on me, so I had no idea what time it was unless I asked the security guard (which I did, multiple times since they told us to get there an hour early). The obstacles were fun. Some were more challenging than others, but all were doable. You do have the option of walking around though if you aren't feeling them. One thing I wish I had thought of before hand: I would highly recommend bringing a towel and a change of shoes in the bag you check. I wish I had had both at the end. My favorite part was where race finishes with a huge slide and a foam party. So much fun! I also loved the viewing area of the Wrecking Ball obstacle. Very well placed and highly entertaining. The MC in the American flag speedo was also highly entertaining. I look forward to running this race again next year. read more

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This race was a great time!! The obstacles were fun. It's kind of expensive to register, but it was memorable. We ran the 7:30 time slot so it was great to beat the crowd. We picked up our packet the day before so all me had to do was walk in and get on line. Had a great time, good to start early, we beat the heat! read more

My wife and I try to run a DC race every year. We were HUGE fans (not to mention proud finalists every single year) of the Great Urban Race. Sadly, they retired that race so Wipe Out Run was our substitute. We signed up for the 1:30PM time slot and got there at noon. Even though there was a line to register and for the bag check, we could have easily showed up at 12:30PM and still made it on time. The race itself is fun! It's a 5K, but you wait in line at each obstacle and most people walk between obstacles that it's the easiest 5K you'll ever run. The obstacles were fun, especially the "Big Balls," the foam obstacle, and any one involving water. We'd run it again for sure! read more

This was awesome! I didn't participate, and I'm bummed I didn't! The advertising made it look a litte more difficult, but I'll be sure to sign up next year! All the volunteers did a great job of pacing the people on the different obstacles. I thought it was grate that the course was clearly defined, those of us not participating were able to walk to each of the obstacles to cheer on (or take photos). read more

I have to say, out of all the Active events I've done, Roc Race DC was by far the best. I had low expectations for this race because of my experiences with the other Active events I've done as well as a friend's less-than-enthused review of Roc Race from last year. However, after doing this Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge, I really had a great time and wouldn't mind doing it again next year. There were 12 challenges, none of which someone who hadn't run a 5K in awhile (like myself) couldn't do. I was a little worried that the obstacles wouldn't be spaced out, but it was actually organized well. There were certainly some obstacles that seem to come more quickly after another, but there was also lag time in between others to help you catch your breath. I was in a group and we tried to run in between obstacles and only succeeded for maybe a mile of the entire race. Oh well, we needed to mentally prepare for the next obstacle! My favorite obstacles were Foam of Fury, Sweeper, Wrecking Ball, Cool Running and the World's Largest Inflatable Slide. For the Foam of Fury unfortunately they didn't have any foam for when we slid across, but it was still a lot of fun seeing how far you can slide while getting soaked in water. The Sweeper and Wrecking Ball are similar - try to run across without getting sucker punched by a sweeping arm or balls. If you get knocked off the Sweeper, you just fall into the inflatable part of the obstacle. However, for the Wrecking Ball, you end up in 40" of water. Luckily, I managed to make it past both without getting knocked out. Cool Running and the World's Largest Inflatable Slide are also similar. For Cool Running, you slide down with an inflatable tube into cold water. For the World's Largest Inflatable Slide, you just slide down without any equipment. I think they could have done away with the Get It Up and Over, which was essentially a tall fence you had to climb over. It didn't seem to go with the theme of the race. It was definitely a lot more fun than I envisioned it. According to one of my friends who had done this race last year, the organizers recommended folks wear bathing suits. However, that was not the case this year and I wish they had done that because I think none of us were expecting to get that wet from the course. Also, like Steph B. said, they advertised there were going to be changing areas but there were only port-a-potties if you wanted to change there. Even so, overall it was a really fun event and like most things in life, best done with friends! read more

Ridiculous - Check Obstacle - Meh Course - Not 3.1 miles Race - This was a race? I definitely looked ridiculous in my tutu, fake colorful eyelashes, sheer hand warmers, and foam visor, but I seeemed to fit right in with the crowd at the race. So BLUF (bottom line up front) is that it's a fun race to do with lots of friends and doesn't really require any athletic ability. Check in/Bag Check: Parking was a breeze and was right by where the course was. The line for getting bibs at the race wasn't that long and we waited maybe 10-12 minutes. They have a bag check, but you have to have your own bag. That may be obvious to some, but every race I've run provides you with a clear bag to put your stuff in..........just saying! Race/Obstacles: Our start time was supposed to be 8am, but I didn't actually start until 8:15am because they only let a few people go at a time to space out obstacles, which makes sense. The obstacles were mostly fun, although not challenging at all. The hardest one was the monkey bars and that's just because it takes a lot of upper body strength. I'm not saying I wanted the obstacles to be impossible, but a little challenge would have been nice. My biggest complaint is that this race claimed to be a 5K and there is no way that I ran 3.1 miles. I would guess that I maybe ran 2 miles, but that's probably pushing it. I know that this is supposed to be a fun race, but fun to me means getting what I paid for, which was a 5K. After Party - What party???? All I saw was 1 food truck and definitely didn't see be the beer! All and all I had fun, and might do it again with friends, if they decrease the price b/c $70 is highway robbery! But it would be nice if they made the course actually 3.1 miles and made the obstacles more challenging. read more

Wipeout Run DC was fun. It may cost 50-75 to participate, but thats about what it cost for an amusement park or a night out. I was tempted to go thru the course a second time but opted not to because of time. But I do not think there are any rules or security restrictions to keep from doing so. Dislikes.. Only 2 stations for drinking water in the 5k course and the water was room tempature (not that serious) Also I thought the obstacles would be more challenging. They were all very easy, but lots of fun. I guess they keep it simple to work for everyone and reduce injury. They tell you no cameras, but thats just if you are participating, Lots of folks were able to walk around and take pics. So if you have someone who wants to go but not run, tell them to get some good shots of you doing your course. Over all, it was fun.. ended too quick and ez obstacles. I will probably do it next year. Run early, so you wont pass out from the heat read more

Too many people in lines for "wave" start and obstacles. It took over 2.5 hours to get through. Water stops at inconvenient places. Poorly marked directions for where to run. Fun obstacles though :) read more

Had a lot of fun at DC Wipeout today!! They need to add a few more obstacles but then it won't be a 5k run. Overall it was a great team bounding moment. Signed up for the 12pm run and the course were all hype as you run to each new obstacle, playing music, we even ask then to change the song and they did. Big Balls, tubes slide were the main highlights...foam slide, that wall was just annoying in my way, new a few new obstacle and it'll be prefer. 9/10 Definitely bring the crew back next year as the Avengers LOL! Can't wait for the pictures... read more

I had a great time with my friends but the line at each obstacle was ridiculous. Also, some of the obstacles seemed too similar and not very challenging. I think it was rather expensive relative to other running events (color run, spartan race, etc.) but I did register only a few days before. All in all, I'm glad I can say I did it but once is enough for me unless there is more variety among the "obstacles" and they're a bit more challenging. read more

When this was the ROC race, they allowed age 14 and up (maybe even ages 12 and up - can't remember exactly) to run it, so you could take your teen and/or some of their friends and "compete" in a fun family friendly event. Not anymore. Since ROC merged with WIPEOUT, they now require you to be 18 or older - which sucks. This isn't something for little ones, but they should at least allow teens to do it. I know many families that aren't participating again because only the parents are old enough to participate and their teens can't can't do it any longer and it used to be a family affair. Just sayin'...they should rethink the age cutoff. All in all though, the event is great and obstacles are fun/unique. Price is a bit much for what you are doing though, so look for early bird deals or groupon's for discounts. read more

Just did this race today. We got to the starting area super early to be at the front of our line. They seemed to be running behind so they let 10 &10:30 go at the same time and released everyone in small groups in relatively quick succession which was nice. We never had to wait for an obstacle. Maybe 2-4 people in front of us which was really nice to watch someone else first and to have a breather from running. The MC was great, kept the crowd energized and laughing. Highlights: wrecking ball (I wish we could've done it twice! Or five times! So fun) the sweeper arm was a close second. The slide with the tube was fun. I think 3 slides was too many, the one with the inner tube and finish line was probably sufficient. The drop slide could've been a different obstacle. My only disappointment was that although advertised, there were not changing areas. When we asked where they were during bag pick up, we were told to use the port a potty. Yuck. I'd say this was the most difficult obstacle of the day- changing out of wet sports bra and capris in a small, ick space.. Talk about a challenge. It was fun and I'd definitely do it again. Everyone else there was there for a good time too so it was a good crowd. read more

For those who are trying to get their friends into running obstacle courses this is one to start them off on. Challenging no, fun yes and instead of having to help everyone through the challenges you can compete against them as several of the challenge multiple people can compete at the same time. Don't worry riding down a inner tube on an inflatable slide does not require prerequisite skills. It is a great way to kick off the morning and then transition into some fun patio munchies. Note you will get wet so bring a towel. read more

We had a really good time with this event. However, the tight-rope obstacle really needs a ladder or something to help those of us with lots of desire but too little flexibility. Waiting anxiously for the notification for next year's DC event! read more

Most fun I've ever had at a race! And the roc race team and volunteers did an amazing job! They sent out small waves of groups so we had to wait 30 minutes from our start time to run (which I didn't think was long I've waited longer for Run or Dye) but it worked out perfectly because once we started we never had to wait more than 2 people deep to do the next obstacle so you could run straight through. And the obstacles were so much fun. I wish they had a DJ at the end of the race that had the same energy as the guy at the starting line. I thought there was going to be a fun party with dancing afterwards and it wasn't which was the only disappointing thing. But they had a bag check and changing rooms for after the race and everyone was so helpful. Very well organized and I can't wait to do this agin next year. read more

This event is a cartoon version of real OCR's like Tough Mudder or Savage Race. Don't bother if you're looking for an actual challenge. A couple if obstacles (Big Balls, Sweeper) are half-size versions of what you see on the TV show. The rest are the sort of thing you encounter at a kid's birthday party - minus the kids, which is odd since they're the ones who would enjoy this the most, but you have to be 18 to participate. If you're a grossly out of shape adult but want something outdoorsy to do, then try it. It's pretty easy and safe. It also might be a good office team building exercise. It seems to me that the economics of this event just don't work. In order to make it pay off, they have to sign up too many people, which means you end up standing in some long lines at each obstacle. It is well organized and the staff was friendly and helpful. People had fun and the crowd was well-behaved, so I don't want to pour too much Hatorade on it, but I wouldn't do it again. read more

To all vendors who are solicited to provide materials / services for the ROC Race by the ROC directly or any of their consultants (namely i2A Consultants & Ion Creative Inc) beware. They do not pay their bills and I would advise any company to stay clear from this event, you will not be paid. read more