Getting Savage Again
Every Savage is a unique experience. On a hot day in October at the Beaumont Guest Ranch in Grandview, Savage Race Dallas began in great weather. Everyone was having a great time with a smile on their face. Savage brings a unique feeling to the OCR community which allows serious athletes to compete and test one another, but to joke and share a hug at the same time.
Savage Race Venue
The Beaumont Ranch is a quintessential Texas venue. I enjoyed the “Texas” feeling this venue offered more than anything. Savage did a great job utilizing what little elevation and technical terrain they had access to on the ranch to provide some challenge. Occasional hills, dried creek beds, and patches of brambly grass provided a technical challenge in a state not known for running elevation.
The scenery in the creek beds and the occasional tight spot through some trees was a sight to behold. These routes gave me the feeling of fleeing outlaws in the old west. The winding path of the race course was well thought out and utilized every natural obstacle around. Despite its lack of extreme elevation, the scenic Texas venue made up the difficulty with a good bit of heat. The lack of any foliage to block the sun can take its toll on runners and hydration was a must. Savage did a great job providing a total of three water stations spaced out quite well and before key obstacles.
Volunteer Performance
Well-informed volunteers did a great job of being sure the pros were aware of all the rules. They were also quick to call out any pro who did not follow them. The volunteers also did a superb job of being sure to repeat safety concerns to competitors at each obstacle such as Davy Jones Locker and Sawtooth.
Obstacles
Designers placed “warm-up” obstacles over the first mile of the course quite well. A good mix of crawls, under overs, and climbing walls lead you into the second mile which also upped the ante in the terrain.
In the extreme heat Shriveled Richard (Savage’s always super cold ice bath) was almost a welcome sight. Shriveled Richard immediately led into Squeeze Play which wasn’t under water this time around. After a bit more running and a water break, we moved through Back Scratcher, Big Cheese, and Big Ass Cargo before hitting the third mile-marker.
Savage did a superb job at keeping rhythm with the obstacles. There were about three obstacles per mile. All of the difficult obstacles were not placed at the end of the course. Savages “spectators are allowed anywhere on the course” stance can benefit in the course design in this way.
Summon your Inner Savage
Next came the upper-body grinder with three obstacles in succession: Tree Hugger, Wheel World, and Kiss My Walls. These well thought out designs can annoy, challenge, and push competitors to the brink. We train even harder to be ready for the challenge the next time around.
Each bit of terrain traversal leading to well-placed obstacles felt like a pleasant progression in difficulty to the finish line rather than a slog. Nearing the end of the 6.5 miles, competitors encountered the new obstacle: Hang-a-rang. This balance obstacle consisting of two logs suspended from chains is a welcome break up to the usual OCR fare. Competitors were not allowed to touch the chains but only the tiny rope midway through each log.
The adventure ended with Davy Jone’s Locker, the time consuming Mad Ladders, the infamous Twirly Bird, and Blazed. Many competitors speed through until the end: shoulders worn out, forearms burning only to see Twirly Bird standing between them and the finish. Nothing compares to seeing the smile on racers’ faces as they conquer a well-designed, just difficult enough obstacle like Twirly Bird. They then jump over the flames with gusto to the cheers of a crowd able to comfortably witness it all from the festival area.
Final Thoughts
Other than one skimmed-over piece of stray barbed wire in a creek bed that could have caused an injury, Savage Race Dallas had no other detriments. Designers utilized the venue to their utmost and created a hella good experience for racers and spectators alike. Savage Race Dallas succeeded in cementing my love for the race series and showing me that they continue to improve as a company in providing both challenge and experience for the money. I would also like to note that upgrading to Pro from Open on-site was quick and simple. I have never had such an easy time with a company in modifying a registration.
Bling
I will say the new syndicate medals and state pins are a welcome adage to my collection. These medals are high quality. You don’t have to buy something extra to put them on OR pay extra money to get one. Savage seems to have continued to grow and excel while still maintaining that care for their customers and appreciating what they do. Just like the words from amazingly talented Emcee Matty T, “Savages are a family.” We are all there for one another, and that sense of family is something that is truly felt from the festival area to the course, to the finish.
David Carraway
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Good review!! I did my first Savage there. My daughters did their first OCR ever at that Savage Jr. And thanks for mentioning it’s in Grandview – not Dallas, proper. We live 10 minutes from the venue, literally. It’s nice having one of the bigger race companies put on an event down the road. And yes… it was a little too warm for October. But last year in September it was cool and drizzly. I feel your pain about the elevation. I have to drive an hour to get any type of elevation workout steeper than 5% grade!
Thank you very much for your kind words. The race was still very enjoyable despite the lack of elevation. You live in a very beautiful place.