In 2015 I did the Insane Inflatable 5K Charlotte (which was actually in Rock Hill, SC) race and ever since, my daughter has been super jealous. "You got to run on bouncy houses!?! I WANT TO DO THAT!!" Well, this was the year that we decided at 7 she was old enough to put in the training necessary for the race. Because while it is totally fun it is also a pretty tough workout.

The race was held in Concord, NC just north of Charlotte near the Charlotte Motor Speedway. The location was on a big field across from one of the smaller tracks and was mostly grass with some gravel. There was plenty of onsite parking as the venue is used for huge events all the time but parking did cost $10. You could pick up packets early but we just got ours the morning of the race. There was a small event expo area with several vendors giving out samples of Powerbars and energy drinks, fitness companies selling stuff like socks and headbands and the usual random insurance companies and so on giving out pens and coozies. There was even a warm-up bouncy house that my daughter spent some time in pre-race.The event lasts for half the day with multiple start wave times which were very well organized by a very enthusiastic DJ who kept the crowd pumped with dance music. We chose the 10:30 wave as it was Nov. and a bit on the chilly side hoping it would warm up some, which it sadly did not.

Every 15 minutes, groups were released to enter the course. 11 obstacles (was supposed to be 12 but 1 was deflated and just sadly sitting there in a puddle) were spaced throughout the curvy route which was marked with orange cones. The obstacles ranged from rope climbing up an inflatable wall and sliding down the slide and running through giant beach balls to weaving in and out of an inflatable obstacle course and running over a giant blow up mattress. Both the Start and the Finish lines were giant inflatable slides.

The race itself was crazy fun. I did it with my little one and my brother, neither of which are what you would consider serious runners, and we had a blast. The obstacles were spaced no more than .2 - .4 miles apart so it was just quick sprints from one to the next and tbh, the transitions off the obstacles were the hardest part. The course had a single aid station with plenty of water and gatorade. There were lots of volunteers to keep racers on course but you could pretty much see the next obstacle ahead. Several of the obstacles had event photographers and photos were free. My husband tagged along to take pictures since it was the little one's first 5K and he was never waved off the course.

It was a lot of fun, the little one loved it and we were all exhausted once it was over. There is no timing for the event and you can pretty much spend as much time on the course as you like. Lots of walkers participated so it's friendly for all levels. There was a bit of line build up at one or two of the obstacles, but for the most part, things ran smoothly.

When you cross the finish (which is a giant slide) you are given a medal and pass by a table to receive your event shirt. No youth sizes, adult sizes only so my little is using hers as a nightgown. They were your basic white cotton unisex tee with a color event logo on it. I don't typically keep these, but my brother gets lots of wear out of his, so it is really your preference.

My only major issue with this race is that each year there seems to be some kind of date/location change so it is challenging to do long term planning. One year the Charlotte race was in Rock Hill (which frankly was awesome for me, the Start was 2 miles from my house, I just ran there) and then it moved to Concord another. The 2017 race was in November and the 2018 one will be in June. I'd prefer a bit more consistency, but overall it is a super fun race and I will continue to do it as long as I can find a crew to come with me. Definitely the type of race that way more fun the more people you have with you. I've already registered for the 2018 race with an even bigger group!

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE 2017 RACE. I MADE THE REVIEW IN 2018 AND AM UNABLE TO CHANGE THE DATE (OOPS)