The Insane Inflatable 5K is Headed for the Granite State

Just when you think you've seen it all in the world of "extreme" races, here comes a version with obstacles you must bounce on, crawl over, climb up and slide down

Is your workout routine getting stale? Tired of the same old, same old at the gym?

Well, hold onto your sneakers because the Insane Inflatable 5K is coming to Salem in August, bringing an opportunity to let loose and have fun while burning some serious calories.

Picture a 5K course (that’s just over three miles, for the metric averse) on varied terrain with 11 inflated obstacles. Each of the puffed-up structures provides an impediment that race participants must climb over, slide down or somehow maneuver through to reach the finish line. The obstacles are sizable, with some reaching heights of two-and-a-half stories or lengths of more than 100 feet.

While races that bill themselves as “extreme” are currently all the rage among the physically-fit crowd, the Insane Inflatable 5K provides a nice alternative for those who crave an exciting challenge that does not include commando-crawling through mud, dodging dangling live wires or taking on obstacles dubbed with colorful and apt names such as “Arctic Enema” — which are, believe it or not, elements of some extreme races.

So, if you’d like an experience that is physically demanding but likely to be cleaner and more gentle than its down-and-dirty extreme brethren, sign up for the Insane Inflatable 5K as an individual or grab some friends or co-workers to form a team. Then start training so you’ll be ready to hit the course and run, bounce, crawl, climb and slide your way to an impressive finish.

Just cross your fingers that Tom Brady doesn’t show up.

For more information or to register for the Insane Inflatable 5K, see insaneinflatable5k.com. Races do sell out so if you're interested, then don't hesitate to register. The upcoming New Hampshire race is August 8 in Salem.