thePULSEAre You Ready to Take On the Dirty Hog? Adrenaline Seekers Get to Test Their Grit in This Extreme Adventure Race
By Tim Branch
The Dirty Hog, a mud-laden adventure race and obstacle course spanning some 12 miles, looks to awe participants during its inaugural run this spring. Laurinburg, North Carolina will play host to the premier event on May 5, 2012, attracting outdoors enthusiasts, daredevils, weekend warriors, athletes and more from both sexes, as well as all age groups.
Developed by founder James Bonanno ~ a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington’s Cameron School of Business ~ The Dirty Hog will test strength, stamina and smarts as it pushes competitors to complete challenges in extreme and unique environments.
Bonanno ~ a self-professed thrill seeker ~ called on the experience of retired U.S. Special Forces member Mike Evock and MTV reality TV celebrity Evan Starkman to map out the course for The Dirty Hog. Together, the three drafted plans for an extreme sports event unlike any other.
“We saw something missing in the mud run,” said Bonanno. “We wanted something more than just expected military challenges and mud. We wanted to make it longer, dirtier, harder, more rewarding and more fun. So we consulted with the U.S. Special Forces and a few reality TV experts to create something better ~ that’s how we came up with The Dirty Hog. It has all the fun stuff in mud runs, but it gives you more challenges that allow you to determine your own adventure. And it will really kick your ass, which is what we were going for.”
Participants will progress through 20 to 25 obstacles including the paintball challenge “Shoot the Butcher” and “Where Pigs Fly” ~ a test where they must ascend a rope climb and jump into a deep mud pit. In other sections of the course, participants will find themselves running up a watered-down hill with high knees through tires, wriggling through treacherous conditions in the “Barbed Wire Saw Dust Crawl,” sprinting long distances on a slick motocross track, flipping tractor tires, carrying sand bags through deep mud, trying their luck at 
mental challenges, and pushing through several reality TV-inspired mystery challenges.
Unlike other competitions, The Dirty Hog presents participants with a chance to earn penalties or rewards depending on their performance at each of these checkpoints. For example, those who successfully shoot the target at the paintball challenge will receive a colored hog tie wristband that can be flashed at the next obstacle ~ the sandbag carry ~ earning them the right to carry less weight than others.
“Even though it’s a blast, we didn’t think running 9 to 12 miles through a muddy obstacle course was fun enough,” Bonanno explained. “At The Dirty Hog, participants determine their own fate, creating a longer course, earning shortcuts, penalty obstacles and special rewards. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure race on steroids.”
Inspiration for the reward-based challenges came through Bonanno’s partnership with Starkman, best known as the winner of MTV reality game shows “Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Duel 2” and “The Ruins.” Other Dirty Hog concepts stemmed from Evock’s connections with the U.S. Army Core of Engineers.
Bonanno said The Dirty Hog looks to entertain all participants and spectators with a carnival-like atmosphere, including live music, food, an official Hog Pit After Party, games, and a special half-mile Piglet Run for young children.
“I found the majority of mud runs were smaller 5Ks that my grandmother could run, but ours? She wouldn’t even think about trying ours. This is a long, tough, intimidating course ~ but we guarantee you’ll have fun.”
Registration for The Dirty Hog is now open and costs $77 per person (rates increase as event date approaches). Military, police and fire personnel receive a $10 discount. Fee includes event participation, a Dirty Hog T-Shirt and “Hog Tag,” free beer (if you’re 21+!) at the finish line, a pork sandwich and a free hug from a “Hog Girl.” Participants may register as an individual or team. Spectator tickets are available for $15 and are sold on site. Proceeds from the event will support Operation Homefront, a 501(c)(3) organization developed to support the families of deployed service members.
Want to register for The Dirty Hog or find out additional information about the race and Operation Homefront? Visit dirtyhog.com.
Want to get started training ASAP? Head to dirtyhog.com/training.html.
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Road Trips
Two Massive Rock Festivals Worth the Drive This Summer
By K. Ashton
ROCK ON THE RANGE 2012 REVEALS MASSIVE LINEUP FOR YEAR SIX
Rock On The Range returns for its sixth year, boasting a massive lineup covering the rock spectrum. America’s premier destination rock festival will be held May 18-20 at Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH and will feature performances from Incubus, Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Megadeth, Chevelle, Cypress Hill, Mastodon and many more.
“Incubus is stoked to be joinin’ the killer lineup at Rock On The Range this year. We’ll see y’all in Columbus,” comments Brandon Boyd from festival co-headliner Incubus.
“If you thought last time was a blast, then this time we are gonna blow your f*cking mind,” says co-headliner Rob Zombie.
To get the party started and based on the success of last year’s anniversary celebration, the weekend will kick off with the Friday Night 4Play, which is absolutely FREE with every Rock On The Range weekend ticket purchase. The May 18 party will feature performances from Hairball, Foxy Shazam, Hells Bells and more.
The current lineup for Rock On The Range 2012 is as follows: Incubus, Rob Zombie, Shinedown, Marilyn Manson, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Megadeth, Chevelle, Cypress Hill, Mastodon, Theory of a Deadman, Volbeat, Down, The Darkness, Halestorm, Escape The Fate, P.O.D., Lacuna Coil, Adelitas Way, Black Stone Cherry, Cavo, Attack Attack!, Trivium, Bobaflex, Falling In Reverse, Redlight King, Aranda, Emphatic, Otherwise, James Durbin, Black Tide, Kyng, 12 Stones, SOiL, Rival Sons, Eve To Adam, and Ghosts of August.
Monster Energy returns as one of the driving partners behind the success of Rock On The Range as more than fifteen acts perform on the mammoth Monster Main Stage. Jägermeister also celebrates its fifth year as a key partner while welcoming twelve of the hottest up-and-coming bands to the in-your-face, up close and personal Jägermeister Music Stage. In all, Rock On The Range features three stages, 44 bands, and three days of non-stop rock.
“There are so many incredible bands playing at ROTR this year, and every one of them is significant,” says Del Williams, co-executive producer of the event for Right Arm Entertainment. “I think this is the most interesting mix of bands that we have had at the festival. The Rangers already know that the weekend is going to be insanely great, but there will be surprises this year and a certain edge to the lineup that will likely create some of the most memorable moments in the 6 year history of Rock on the Range.”
Tickets for Rock On The Range went on sale Friday, February 10 at 10:00 AM EST at the festival’s website, Ticketmaster and the Crew Stadium Box Office. Two-day weekend stadium GA tickets once again start at just $99.50 (plus service and transaction fees).
Visit www.RockOnTheRange.com for full details and VIP package information.
Also stay up-to-date with www.facebook.com/rockontherange and www.twitter.com/rockontherange.
CAROLINA REBELLION ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR YEAR TWO
Festival Features Shinedown, Korn, Evanescence, Staind, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Chevelle, and More
Carolina Rebellion returns Saturday, May 5 ~ bigger and better than ever and boasting a solid rock lineup for the multi-stage festival, including Shinedown, Korn, Evanescence, Staind, Five Finger Death Punch and Slash (see below for full lineup).
2012 marks the debut of Carolina Rebellion at its new home at the legendary Rockingham Speedway in Rockingham, NC, conveniently situated between Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Columbia and Greensboro. Also new in 2012: weekend RV and Tent Camping and the Friday Night Campground Party presented by Jägermeister, featuring performances from Foxy Shazam, Lez Zeppelin, One…The Only Tribute to Metallica. Full details are available at www.CarolinaRebellion.com.
The current lineup for Carolina Rebellion is as follows: Shinedown, Korn, Evanescence, Staind, Five Finger Death Punch, Slash, Chevelle, Volbeat, Halestorm, P.O.D., Adelitas Way, Paper Tongues, Weaving The Fate, Redlight King, Red, New Medicine and Ghosts Of August. The festival will once again feature the two Monster Energy main stages and the Jägermeister third stage.
Jonathan Davis of Korn says, “We’re excited to bring Korn’s new show to North Carolina and we fully intend on blasting out the loudest set of new dope sh*t ever at the Carolina Rebellion!!!”
“It is an absolute honor to be the headliner at such an amazing festival. It’s been a minute North Carolina…It’s good to be back. We can’t wait to see the masses at the Rebellion!” comments Brent Smith of Shinedown.
“Along with AEG Live, Right Arm is beyond excited to unleash the Carolina Rebellion lineup,” says Gary Spivack, co-executive producerof the festival for Right Arm Entertainment. “Like last year, it was our goal to make sure the 2012 lineup was stacked from top to bottom. Three stages of non-stop rock ‘n roll and a Friday night party to kick it all off…The ultimate rock festival in the Carolinas. Let the Rebellion begin!”
General Admission tickets for Carolina Rebellion went on sale to the public on Friday, February 17 at 10am EST at www.carolinarebellion.com and www.ticketmaster.com.
This year, Carolina Rebellion ~ which was called “…this generation’s Woodstock” by Examiner.com ~ will also feature an extensive selection of Camping Packages as well as a VIP Lounge ticket option to invite the ‘Rebels’ to spend the weekend on-site in Rockingham and create an unforgettable party. The packages will be available via the internet pre-sale as well as the public on-sale. With every purchase of a Camping Package comes FREE TICKETS to the inaugural Friday Night Campground Party! Details for all Camping Packages and VIP Lounge tickets can be found at www.CarolinaRebellion.com.
Based on 2011 attendee feedback, Carolina Rebellion organizers have implemented various upgrades and vast venue improvements to provide a premier concert experience at the multi-stage rock festival. The new centrally-located site provides plenty of space to expand, including more food and beverage stands, merchandise stands, restrooms and parking, and also offers more traffic routes to and from the event.
“When our fans speak, we listen,” commented Joe Litvag, co-executive producer of the festival for AEG Live. “We personally responded to every person who sent us comments, and because of that important feedback, our motto this year is ‘Let’s double it!’ Double the number of entrance points into the festival, double the number of concession stands, double the number of merchandise stands, and double the number of locations for free water…We’re taking the steps to make Carolina Rebellion an upgraded experience for everyone.”
In addition, all ticket prices will include parking to ensure quicker access to the parking areas, and earlier entry into the parking areas and will be allowed, along with earlier door times, to better alleviate the traffic and lines. The inclusion of the new Camping Packages will encourage fans to arrive on Friday starting at 10am and stay until Noon on Sunday, thereby relieving traffic congestion on Saturday.
Further improvements to amenities include: a larger box office area for will call pickup, shade locations in public areas and the Hangover Recovery VIP Lounge area inside the festival grounds to allow those with VIP Lounge tickets to have a special place to enjoy the event.
“Our sponsors mean as much to us as our fans do,” added Litvag. “And without the support of music-centric companies like Monster Energy, who present our two main stages at Rebellion, we couldn’t put a festival of this size and scope on for the people.”
Carolina Rebellion is also proud to be sponsored by Jägermeister, Hangover Recovery, and f.y.e. – for your entertainment (which will be on site selling CDs and DVDs and will host band autograph signings throughout the festival day). Carolina Rebellion is produced by Right Arm Entertainment and AEG Live, the same team that produces the highly successful Rock On The Range in Columbus, OH. Tickets for the 2011 inaugural Carolina Rebellion sold out more than one month in advance and attendance exceeded 30,000.
Rockingham Speedway is located at 2152 N US HWY 1, Rockingham, NC, less than two hours from Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Columbia and Greensboro.
www.CarolinaRebellion.com
www.facebook.com/CRebellion
