The U.S. Navy SEALS are one of the most respected military units in the world and are renowned for the toughest and most challenging training regimens anywhere.
And we at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa want to bring that challenge to Atlantic City by being the first ever casino-resort to host the “Bone Frog Challenge” obstacle course race, taking place on Saturday, June 18, and featuring a guaranteed $15,000 in cash and prizes.
“Borgata could not be more excited to introduce our local community to this unique experience in which contestants can test their physical fitness along-side actual Navy SEALs on a course constructed specifically for military training,” said Joe Lupo, Senior Vice President of Operations for Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.
Owned, operated and designed by U.S. Navy SEALs, the Bone Frog Challenge was created to test, build and inspire participants to become better athletes and recognize that they can do anything they set their minds to, while enjoying the camaraderie and teamwork usually reserved for active duty Navy SEALs.
Or as the SEALs themselves say at Bonefrogchallenge.com:
“The Bone Frog Challenge is truly a unique experience … the course will test everyone and leave no one unscathed … You must be functionally fit to succeed here. You will get muddy. You will get beat up. You will be exhausted. But you will finish. As Navy SEALs, we know what tough is – and we don’t mean Harvard.”
So at this point, you may be asking who would want to go through that? Well, close to 600 participants have signed up for the challenge thus far.
Among them are Alicia Bready, Director of Casino Accounting for Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.
“I was interested in this right away, when we first announced it in February,” she says. “It’s a challenge and its something I’ve always wanted to do. I consider myself an athlete, but I’ve never taken on something like this before. I work out in a gym five to seven times a week, but this is going to be much more of a physical test. I’ve been running outside, for instance, and let me tell you, real running is a lot different than running on a treadmill. And, I can climb a rope now. Four weeks ago I couldn’t!”
Alicia Bready training for Bone Frog Challenge
“My dad was a graduate of Kings Point, and a United States Merchant Marine Deck Officer in the Vietnam War,” said Alicia. “He passed away in 2009 after a three year battle with cancer, two months after receiving the King’s Pointer of the Year award. Whenever I’m not sure what to do, I think ‘what would my dad do in the same situation?’ When the opportunity came up to enter this race, I knew he would have jumped at the chance, and so I’d like to say I’m doing it because I’m the daughter of a Merchant Marine, who was also the best dad a girl could ever have. I signed up partially due to the fact that my dad would be totally proud, and I know I can do it because of him.”
Bready has also recruited Noelle McManus and Amanda Small from casino accounting and they’ll run as a team.
The inaugural Borgata Bone Frog sprint event will take place on a custom-designed 3.1 mile, 15-20 obstacle course, providing racers with the ultimate test of strength, conditioning and endurance.The term Bone Frog comes from the early days of the SEALs in Vietnam when they were often called frogmen. The symbol of a frog skeleton honors the SEALs past warriors.
Borgata’s Bone Frog Challenge will feature both Elite and Open waves. Competitors entering the Elite heats run first thing in the morning to ensure a clear, pristine course. Elite racers must complete every obstacle with the top three men and women taking home a portion of $10,000 in guaranteed prize money as well as a special Bone Frog finisher paddle. Additionally, Open wave challenges will be offered in which participants will have the opportunity to garner medals, prizes and other Bone Frog gear.
“Bone Frog is thrilled to announce our event at Borgata,” said Bone Frog Challenge Chief Executive Officer, Brian J. Carney. “This race is truly going to be the most unique event we have ever held and racers of all types are encouraged to join in on the action. We will be packing 15+ Navy SEAL-style obstacles into a 3.1 mile course with the picturesque Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa as the backdrop.”
A portion of the entry fee will go the Navy SEAL Foundation (NSF) which is the main charity of the Bone Frog Challenge. The NSF stands behind all U.S. Navy SEALs, Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen, Naval Special Warfare support personnel, and their spouses and children. The Foundation coordinates closely with Naval Special Warfare commands to support critical needs of active-duty operators while also providing resources for veterans. Its work is focused on three key areas: family services and command support, educational programs, and legacy activities. Its mission is to provide immediate and ongoing support and assistance to the Naval Special Warfare community and their families.
For more information on the Bone Frog Challenge and to register for the event at Borgata, go here.