Genesee County Parks Department gears up for Warrior Dash - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(03/18/13) - The Genesee County Parks Department is gearing up for the return of the Warrior Dash, July 27 and 28 at the Cummings Center in Genesee Township.

"Oh, we are so pumped, and we are flattered, because as you know, the Warrior Dash generally comes to a location one year, but this is our third year," said Hilda McShane, Genesee County Parks Department.

The 5k course will feature 17 obstacles. Red Frog Productions has made a handful of changes from last year, including bigger food, beverage and entertainment areas.

"There's two new obstacles, all the mud, all the fun. The trails are being rerouted a bit too," McShane said.

There are four months to go before the opening gun, but close to 22,000 would-be Warriors from across the U.S. and abroad have already signed up. Organizers could declare a sell-out and end registration any day.

"It's phenomenal. We have never registered this quickly, and there are some concerns, so I urge people to register right away," McShane said.

Registration for the Warrior Dash is still available online, and it's also available for the Ultimate Dash Training Program, a partnership between the Parks Department and Hurley Health and Fitness.

"It's a six-week program and it's warrior type training, so there's no excuse for anyone that wants to participate in any race, whether it's the Warrior Dash or the Crim. You'll go over obstacles, you'll do trail running," McShane said.

All together - with all of those warriors training, competing, and bringing family members along for the festivities - the Dash should spread plenty of cash across Mid-Michigan again.

"Last year, $4.5 million into the Flint and Genesee County area, and that doesn't even include the money raised for St. Jude's, which was another $4 million, so quite the economic impact for the area," McShane said.

If you'd like to register for the Warrior Dash, click HERE.