Teams set to face off in local ‘Hoosier Hustle’ race

Bloomington resident Lori Matthews is a fan of reality TV shows like “Survivor” – she and nearly 16 million other Americans, according to the most recent Nielsen ratings.\n“I guess you just wonder, ‘Is it really as fun and challenging as it looks on TV?’” Matthews said. Next month, she will have the chance to find out.\nMatthews and her two teammates will compete against 12 other teams in the first ever Hoosier Hustle race coordinated by Bloomington Parks and Recreation. \nThe daylong race, to be held Saturday, April 14, will require contestants to travel all over Bloomington, testing their endurance of body and mind, said Sarah Nix, Bloomington Parks and Recreation’s community events specialist.\n“The idea came about with the whole reality craze,” Nix said. “We wanted to mimic that but with a twist: We’ll do it here in Bloomington and we’ll incorporate health and wellness.”\nThe race will include physical demands, agility challenges and mind puzzles that require the entire three-person team as well as individuals from the team, Nix said.\n“There is the physical demand, but you don’t have to be the fastest runner to win this race,” Nix said. “You could be good at mind puzzles, too.”\nThough the actual itinerary of challenges is being kept secret until the day of the event, Nix did say that each contestant will need at least a bike and a first-aid kit.\n“Some of our partners in this are Bloomington Transit, \nHoosier Heights – the indoor climbing facility – the Student Recreational Sports Center and IU Outdoor Adventures, if that gives you any hints,” Nix said.\nThe Hoosier Hustle registration form states that each contestant is required to have a trash bag, a compass, an extra pair of shoes, a bicycle and a helmet. In addition to that, one member of each team will need a swimsuit.\nEarly registration ended Friday, but teams are still welcome to register for a fee of $110, said Nix. Contestants can register through the City of Bloomington Web site at bloomington.in.gov. The race will begin at 7 a.m. Saturday, April 14, at Third Street Park, on the corner of Third and Washington streets. \nWith the events kept secret, Matthews said she and her teammates – a friend and his mother – have not known what to prepare for. \n“We have varying levels of how fit we are but between the three of us, we should be able to encourage each other enough to do this,” Matthews said. “If not, we’ll find out pretty quickly.”