Noblesville Fit Fest offers variety of races, strongman competition
By Mark Ambrogi
Kym Flannery is often quick to repeat her spiel full of alliteration.
“Have you heard about the Noblesville Fit Fest? It’s a free, family-friendly fitness-oriented festival at Forest Park (701 Cicero Rd.),” said Flannery, the event coordinator.
Noblesville-based Gordon Insurance in partnership with Anthem powers the third annual Fit Fest, set from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 15.
“It’s the brainchild of the Gordon family,” said Flannery, a Gordon Insurance employee. “The Gordons came up with the idea in order to make Noblesville a tourism hot spot, in order to get people up and moving off the couch.”
The proceeds from the event benefit Riverview Health Foundation, who will have a booth at the event.
“We’re providing information about the foundation and Riverview,” said Jessica Deering, philanthropy officer for the foundation. “We’re very grateful to be the recipient of this (event). This is the third year they have chosen our foundation. The whole point is about this is a healthy community, and since Riverview is the county-owned hospital, we don’t receive any taxpayer funding. It’s good for the community and benefits the county in many ways by having the race and the festival.”
Deering said Megan Wiles, executive director of the foundation, plans to run in the 5K race.
There will also be a blood drive and food in the vendor village.
“There is lots of healthy stuff,” Flannery said.
New race addition
The 2015 addition to the Fit Fest is a one-mile fun run.
“So say you are not the fittest, you can probably do a mile and go at your own pace,” Flannery said.
There will be a sprint triathlon (400-yard swim, 20.6K bike, 5K run), sprint duathlon (1K run, 20.6K bike, 5K run), sprint aquabike (400m swim, 20.5K bike), 5K run/walk, kids aquathon (ages 4-14), and sprint aquathon (400 meter swim/5K run).
“They are very reasonable if you compare them to other similar races in the state,” Flannery said.
The prices can be found at noblesvillefitnessfestival.com.
The adult races begin at 8 a.m., with the children races beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Flannery said the triathlon and 5K have been the most popular races in the first two years.
‘You can sign up as team,” she said. “Say Uncle Fred is a good swimmer, Aunt Mary is a good runner and you’re a good bicyclist, you can be a team. That’s unusual, most (events) don’t offer that.”
The races are staged by America Multi-Sport. For more information, visit noblesvillefitnessfestival.com.
Strongman competition
Force Barbell returns for the third year as the host of a strongman competition for men and women.
“We’ve had about 30 people each year,” said Miller, the owner of Force Barbell in Fishers. “Everyone seems to enjoy themselves. We usually have spectators and family members attend.”
Men’s weight classes are under 200 pounds and over 200 pounds. Women’s classes are under 150 and over 150.
The events are truck pull, log clean and press, axle deadlifts and farmer’s carry/sled drag medley.
The unsanctioned competition is meant to be an introduction to the sport of strongman and not designed for experienced competitors.
Weigh-ins are from 9 to 10 a.m., with the rules meeting at 10:30 a.m. and the competition starting at 11 a.m.
Exact details of the events and registration form can be found under upcoming events on forcebarbell.com. The entry fee is $20.
Demonstration stages
The will be “How-to” demonstrations every half-hour.
“You can learn about different fitness trends and try them yourself,” Flannery said.
Flannery said various area martial arts and yoga instructors will be on hand to provide direction.
Among the how-to exhibits will be Zumba, pilates, yoga, Tae Kwon Do, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, cardio, kickboxing, boxing, Tong Soo Do, karate, wrestling, Muay Thai, adult fitness and kids and adult boot camp.
