It’s an undeniable truth that every successful man’s life is built around challenges. These chaps are about pushing the envelope, braving new territories and having the guts to go where their contemporaries would frankly rather not. So before you contemplate your brunch options this weekend, how about you embrace a challenge of your own: the October 24 Men’s Health Urbanathlon. With 18 obstacles over 10km on Yas Marina track, we’re not denying that it won’t hurt, but then nothing worthwhile ever came easily. Not convinced? Here are five reasons you should lace up your runners and get involved.
1. It gives your life meaning
Whether you already spend a fair amount of time at the gym or only walk in there to check out women in Lycra, giving yourself a goal like the Urbanathlon channels all your efforts. Put simply, this race will work every muscle in your body and so before you know it, your workouts have meaning, it’s easier to dodge that last after work drink and you’re halfway towards the six-pack you never thought you’d have.
2. It makes you more intelligent
Even if you’re a regular gym goer, some of the obstacles will be new to you, meaning that it’s not just your fitness levels that are called into action, it’s your brain too as you’ll need to work out your strategy – which in turn makes you more intelligent. Studies show that when we’re actively learning, the making of new connections rewires the brain and increases capacity. This happens quickly meaning you will be a brighter spark within hours!
3. It gets you onto Yas Marina track
Before Hamilton and Rosberg battle it out to be crowned F1 champion next month, you get the chance to win your own personal duel on the tarmac.
4. It allows you to relive your youth
There’s not a man alive that looks at a cargo net/quicksand combination and doesn’t want to hurl himself straight in. There’s no fighting this, it’s like looking at cleavage, it happens on a molecular level. With 18 obstacles in all, the Urbanathlon indulges these urges to tune of water cannons, monkey bars, cargo nets, hill slides and a terrifying ‘wall of death’.
5. It offers eternal glory
It’s worth remembering that this race might sound extreme, a little too military and only for serious gym goers (you know, the ones who wear vests and drink protein shakes) but that couldn’t be further from the truth; the real glory lies in simply completing the thing. Run, walk, crawl, just get to the finishing line. Then you can sit back relax, and look at your medal and survival t-shirt with a warm glow of satisfaction.
Sign up to the October 24 Men’s Health Urbanathlon at www.urbanathlonme.com