Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Team Abolition Races to End Slavery

This is an article I wrote for 24-7prayer. Enjoy! ~ Rebecca

L-R: Clint Dunning, Jennifer Manly and Adam Manly
I thought I knew what the three members of Team Abolition, our grass roots team dedicated to raising funds for Just24 and awareness about human trafficking, were heading into when they took on the Tough Mudder on June 26th, but I was in for a few surprises. Namely that the race was not 8 but 10 miles long, there were 26 instead of 24 obstacles and that I would be spending the next 3+ hours on different means of transportation and forging around the mountainside on foot to stay ahead of them.

Clint and Adam finishing "kiss the mud"
The challenge which took place in Vail, Colorado is dubbed, “Iron Man meets Burning Man” by the founder, a Brit, named Will Dean. The first thought as you enter the teaming masses is that you have stumbled upon a sub culture that is one part brilliant business plan and one part fantastical community. Costumes are a plenty, including chicken suits, men in speedos and bow ties… well you get the picture. It’s not all fun and games though as the Tough Mudder has donated over 1.3 million to the Wounded Warrior Project and its British counterpart.

I was happy to see that despite the madness, Will Dean, had noticed our abolitionist jerseys and the 24-7prayer.com website on them before he met me for our interview and was planning to check it out.  After discussing the event and human trafficking, I raced towards the starting lines were they were about to, according to Dean, “test toughness, fitness, strength, stamina, and mental grit all in one place and all in one day.”

Adam and Jen on "Mount Everest"
Every twenty minutes a group of 500 hundred competitors surged down the hill and began the grueling challenges, most which included rank mud and ice cold water. One such event required navigating through chest high water that was only 36 degrees and swimming under barrels. After such events, hypothermia blankets were handed out and many quit the race. 
 
I was able to locate Clint Dunning and Adam Manly & Jennifer Manly, members of Team Abolition, in the mountains at 8 obstacles including a mud crawl under 8 inch high barb wire and a full body plunge into ice water. I also caught up with them as they navigated a cargo net across a river before heading up a black diamond ski slope with nets.

Clint getting zapped with live wires
At the end of the day, Team Abolition defied not only icy fire hoses but the 30% drop out statistic with all three of them finishing together by running through dangling live wires pulsing with 10,000 volts. I think being a spectator and hanging with the crowds was probably more fun than being in the race; however I’ve been coerced along with about 10 others to join in the next event. I’d better start training now.

Thanks for reading
~Rebecca



17 comments:

Brenda said...

Wow...that race sounds intense. How awesome to do it for such a great cause.

Rebecca Dunning said...

Brenda, thanks for sharing! I checked out your blog and just loved it. Stop on by again. ~Rebecca

LoveFeast Table said...

Great way to raise awareness! I serve with an organization here in Baltimore called Safe House of Hope...recovery for under aged girls who are victims of sex trafficking. Raising awareness is a huge need to fight this epidemic. (I just stopped by from INCourage to say hi!)
~Krisitn

Rebecca Dunning said...

Kristin: I would love some info on what you do. Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you again.

East Coast Girl said...

Looks like a real adventure!! Good for you!
I look forward to reading more of your blog!!
Have a great day

East Coast Girl

Dial Doctors said...

I didn't know something like that existed! It sounds so grueling yet so much fun. Another great way to raise awareness. Do you know of any similar events in Florida? :)

Rebecca Dunning said...

I am sure they do or one close. Check out www.toughmudders.com. Have a great day.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for highlighting this event and the importance of it. A great way to spend a beautiful day.

laughwithusblog said...

It does indeed sound tough! Good luck on the next event! :)

Anonymous said...

Even in my youth I don’t think I would have made it through that course. They must be extra special people (Clint, Adam and Jennifer) to do this to support their cause. Do you have any idea what you’ve signed up for?

Anonymous said...

Love your blog, I have you set up on my blog roll and it list by the latest postings. Thanks so much for stopping by mine, looking forward to your next post.
Caryn

Unknown said...

i have always wanted to participate in something like this sans---the icy water and barrel swimming...
all for great cause...good post, great inspiration and nice picks....

claire said...

What a fantastic way to raise awareness. I'm full of admiration for you.

Memoirs of Me & Mine said...

Wow, that sounds awesome!
www.rebeccabany.com

Ruth said...

Stopping by from blog frog! This is great. If you like, check out my blog:
www.mydevotionalthoughts.com

Rebecca Dunning said...

Thanks all for dropping by. It was an amazing day and I hope to be right in the middle of the next one.

julie moore said...

Inspiring to know you and your team run for such a great cause. Atlanta is one of the top cities in america for human trafficking and I live about 30 miles from it. so horrible what happens to those people. I volunteer with abused women and one of them was pimped out by her husband for drugs. she was so messed up spiritually, mentally and emotionally only God could could bring her back to herself. Great blog post.