If you and your friends are looking to get outside, get active and have some fun this Canada Day weekend, then the 5K Foam Fest could be just what you need to get out of the house and get moving.  

Just like the name implies, the 5K Foam Fest is essentially a foam-packed, 5-kilometre long,  non-competitive obstacle course teeming with a variety of inflatable obstructions that runners have to clamber over and slide across — at their own pace — on their way to the finish line.

The festival is scheduled to take place on July 2 at Fiddle Field on Pike Lake, roughly 7 kilometres southwest of Saskatoon on Highway 60.

Event co-ordinator Michael Lambert said that the obstacle course is a blast for anyone, regardless of their level of competitiveness.

“The hardcore guys and girls can run as quick as they want, or people can run or walk it. It’s a non-competitive atmosphere where people can try running for the first time and slug out an 18-minute course lap,” Lambert said.

The 5K Foam Fest got its start in 2014, when 365 Sports — an event and marketing company out of Ontario — acquired the licensing for the event from a company in the United States. That year, the festival was limited to parts of Quebec and Ontario but has since then spread across Canada.

“Halfway through that season, the United States company [that 365 Sports was collaborating with] went out of business. We struggled for a year to keep the company afloat because of the bad press and retained the global rights to Foam Fest,” Lambert said.

Despite the hardship, Lambert said that their perseverance paid off and obstacle course racing became one of the fastest growing sports in the world the following year.

“The reason we got into it was because of its niche-component, non-competitive fun atmosphere of the run. We got into it in 2014 — pre-massive blow up. The fact that this was a fun run that absolutely everyone can enjoy really added to its popularity,” Lambert said. “That, and the foam makes it even more fun.”

The course consists of five kilometres of obstacles, including cargo climbs, ball jumps, tire courses, mud pits, mud crawls and bungie obstacles. In addition, there are other obstacles that Lambert said are unique to Foam Fest.

“There are three slip-and-slides on the course, and we have the world’s tallest inflatable water slide called the D-Drop [Death Drop] mega slide. We also have the chamber of foam, which is a monstrous bounce house filled with foam that up to 200 people can run through at once,” Lambert said. “Those are our unique obstacles. We also have a foam cannons at the starting line and more foam at the finish line.”

Perhaps one of the best things about participating in a fun run is the freedom runners have to get creative with their race attire.

“Some teams like to dress up and they’ll get together and create custom t-shirts, or dress in costumes, or come as superheroes. Last year in Saskatoon we had a team dressed up as Mario Kart characters come out, like Princess Peach, Toad, you know and they had balloons tied around them like the one aspect of the game. That’s pretty cool,” Lambert said.

In addition to the race, each runner receives a package that includes a bib, a temporary tattoo, a bottle of water, a Chapman’s sports lolly, a medal and a towel. There will also be a DJ , food and beverage stations and a beer garden at the festival.

Runners need to be at least eight years of age to participate in the obstacle course, but Lambert added that this should not discourage parents or guardians from bringing small children along.

“There will be a complimentary kids’ zone at the festival, featuring bouncy houses, an inflatable obstacle course and other attractions,” Lambert said.

Lambert recommends bringing extra cash, sunscreen, and goggles if people have sensitive eyes.

“The foam is coconut-based and is all natural. It shouldn’t burn the eyes but it will taste funky, so you won’t want to eat it.”

For more information on the 5K Foam Fest in Saskatoon and to register for the event, visit www.5kfoamfest.ca/locations/saskatoon/.

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Brenden Palmer / Sports & Health Editor

Photos: 365 Group / Supplied