Mayhem on the Mountain brings Crossfit-style challenges

Mayhem on the Mountain, hosted by Forge Fitness at Oak Mountain State Park on Aug. 8 and 9, promises to challenge the athletic versatility of competitors by combining competition in CrossFit methodology with new elements. 

The incorporation of swimming makes Mayhem on the Mountain stand out from other CrossFit-style competitions in the Birmingham area, according to Forge Fitness event organizer Kasey Strickland.  

“It’s something you see in triathlons, but not typically in a CrossFit competition,” she said. 

The individual fitness competition will take place on Saturday, Aug. 8 and the team competition will take place on Sunday, Aug. 9. Each competition will include four different workout events. 

“Most individuals who do CrossFit have a bit of a competitive edge on them, so competing is a great way to see how their work has paid off,” said Strickland. 

Mens Rx, Womens Rx, Mens Scaled, Womens Scaled, Mens Masters and Womens Masters divisions will be offered, according to the event’s website. Registration will take place from 7-8 a.m. each day. Preregistration through the event’s website is mandatory and will remain open until the day of the event. 

“This is a great testimony of someone who’s truly athletic,” said Rich Pennino, who opened Forge Fitness in July 2013. “In this event, you’re going to see people compete in many different types of events: gymnastics, Olympic lifting, swimming and running. This is the kind of event where you get to see the versatility of athletes.” 

CrossFit is a general fitness regimen with more than 11,000 affiliated gyms worldwide. Participants follow a regimen of “constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity in a communal environment” in order to achieve health and fitness, according to the official CrossFit website. 

For more information or to preregister for the event, visit forgevestavia.com/mayhem or find the event on Facebook.