Show of strength and nerve at Hurdle hawk, with The Telegraph
TT Bureau
Published 05.03.18, 12:00 AM
3... 2... 1... Go! And the hurdlers were off!
Sneakers? Check. Protein shakes? Check. Exercise? Check. Around 500 participants were pumped up as they took part in Hurdle Hawk partnered by The Telegraph on February 11 at Aquatica, organised by Abybaby Events and Skulpt. Though the sun was beating down, the participants gave their best shot at conquering a 3.5km race with 12 hurdles. Behind the console were DJs Mausam, Rimi and Merlin, who got the adrenaline pumping, while dance performances and jugglers kept the audience entertained. Food stalls kept everyone refuelled after the intense workout. t2 joined in the fun.
MOOD
The kiddies had a fun time at the event as well thanks to the mini obstacle course set up for them.
The entrants warmed up with some jumping jacks.
While the obstacle race was on, the cheering crowd got into workout mode by following Zumba expert Piu Majumder (above, second from right).
VOICES
THE HURDLES
The race started off with a deep mud pool, which the participants had to wade through. This led to the second hurdle, jumping over tyres.
The third hurdle involved climbing up a slippery sloped wall using only a rope...
...which led to the fourth hurdle — climbing up greasy tyres hanging over a chest-deep pit of muddy water. Participants found this hurdle the toughest. Jumping over three trenches on the bounce was the fifth hurdle.
A tightrope walk was up next as the sixth hurdle, while the seventh stage required the participants to crawl under a metal structure.
The eighth hurdle involved climbing up a rope ladder and ringing a bell.
The ninth hurdle, much like on the Japanese reality show Takeshi’s Castle, had the participants practically hugging a wall to make it across to the other side without falling into the muddy water. The 10th hurdle saw them crossing a pool of water braced against a metal frame running the length of the pool.
Everyone went George of the Jungle on the 11th hurdle where the participants had to swing over the muddy water while holding on to a rope.
The last hurdle got the participants swimming through a shallow pool before running into the finish line.
ORGANISER SPEAK
“It was the first time ever that this race took place in eastern India. Everyone had a good time and want a bigger one planned next time. The courage of the participants was amazing,” said Divya Himatsingka of Skulpt, with Jeet Nandy of Abybaby.
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