Arnold Sports Festival
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Arnold Sports Festival Running Events
The Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, hosts a series of athletic events including a standard run, a rucking challenge, and a specialized "Pump & Run" competition. These events take place on the final day of the festival at 400 N. High Street.
Participants can choose from the following event formats:
- Arnold 5K Run / Walk: A standard 5-kilometer course open to all runners and walkers.
- Arnold Ruck: A 5-kilometer event where participants must carry a weighted vest, ruck sack, or equivalent weight of at least 15 pounds.
- Arnold 5K Pump & Run: A combination event limited to 1,200 athletes. Participants perform a bench press for up to 30 repetitions before the run. Each successful lift reduces the final 5K run time by 30 seconds.
The bench press portion of the Pump & Run is overseen by U.S. Military ROTC members and drill instructors. Weight requirements for the lift are based on age and gender. Men are required to lift between 60 and 100 percent of their body weight, while women lift between 40 and 70 percent. There are 10 age and gender divisions for this category.
All participants receive an event t-shirt, a finisher medal, and free race photos. Registration also includes a daily ticket to the Arnold Expo. The event allows the use of strollers for all three distance formats. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
