Southern Star Warrior Spur Challenge

Type of Event: Triple event with 5K run, 40 mile bike, and warrior skills test

Location: On-site at All Veterans Memorial (931 S Commercial St)

Registration: Opens August 1

Event Date: November 9, 2024

Time: For check-in and start times, see the schedule of events.

See all maps and instructions below

Let's get ready to dominate the Warrior Spur Challenge!

All events are completed on Saturday. Task sequence will include:

5K run
40 mile gravel bike ride
Spur Readiness Test (Warrior Skills)

Conditions:

Participant will be provided a study guide, score sheets, maps, testing equipment, and timers. Participants will self-support for all events.

Standards:

Complete Run and Ride within 4 hours and 30 minutes (270 minutes)
Complete Spur Readiness Course and avoid time penalties that may disqualify participant from Spur Award (exceed 270 minutes total time)
Participate in Spur Award/Induction Ceremony (see Scheduel and Maps page for times)

For every event you fail to pass there will be a time penalty added to your overall Spur Ride time. Only ice on the track will cancel the run portion of the event.

1st Event - 5K run

Saturday begins with the Spur Run and Ride. After check in you will participate in a brief opening ceremony followed by a timed start from the All Veterans Memorial. You will be first running with the regular 5K Freedom Run/Walk participants. Your course will traverse 5K of South Emporia covering gravel, dirt and asphalt. There are no obstacles.

5K Run/Walk Course Map

2nd Event - 40 Mile Bike

Immediately after your run, you will return to the finish line at the All Veterans Memorial where you will self transition to your next event - the 40 mile Gravel Grinder. Your official time WILL NOT STOP. Transition quickly to your bike and start the 40 miler. Your ride starts as you cross the old Soden's Grove bridge and head into the flint hills of South Lyon County. There are no SAG stops or support vehicles provided during this ride. You will be provided a map/coordinates. Ensure you are trained and prepared for any adversity your bike or YOU may face. We do not provide rider rescue. You will finish back at the start/finish line at the All Veterans Memorial and your time will STOP. This is your unofficial time that you will take with you to your last event - the SRT. Your goal is to be under the max time of 270 minutes from the run/ride. If you are over the time limit of 270 minutes YOU MAY be able to recoup some time with successful completion of the final events in the SRT. (Or if you are close, you may end up adding too much time and be disqualified from the Spur Award.....).

40 Mile Spur Bike Course Map

3rd Event - Spur Readiness Test

Your final event is the Spur Readiness Test based on physical and warrior skills commonly used in a combat environment. There are five components to this event with events varying each year. You must complete all five events. Failure to properly finish an event will add three minute (per event) to your total time. Each successfully completed event will result in a 3 minute time reduction. Maximum time you can subtract is 15 minutes (5 component events X 3 minutes). Maximum penalty time is 15 minutes. You must complete all five events of the SRT to be a succesful Spur Ride Candidate.

Spur Readiness Test:

Receive your mission
Navigate from hide position to simulated casualty
Stabilize, Move and Treat casualty with first aid kit
Request medical evacuation by radio
Move casualty to evacuation site
Suppress enemy fire (simulated) while crossing danger area
Complete mystery event
Report to Command Post

Sound challenging? It is unless you read the standards manual and practice! But don't worry we will partner you with a Kansas Army National Guard Soldier or Veteran who will guide you through each step of the lane!

Training Resources:

To prepare for your third event please download the manuals and score card below, and watch the training video on maneuver techniques.

Standards Manual

Nine Line Medevac Instructions and Card

Spur Readiness Test Score Card

Maneuver Techniques Video

Spur Induction/Award Ceremony

If you have completed the Run, the Ride, and the SRT without going over the maximum allowed time limit you will be awarded the Silver Spur and inducted into the Order of the Spur by veterans of the 635th Armor Regiment. Participants completing additional Spur Rides will receive a clasp to attach to their Spur. 5th year recipients will earn the gold spur. 10th year recipients receive the honorary Cavalry Stetson. All who participate will receive a certificate from the regiment as well as the Commanders Challenge Coin.

The ceremony authorizes you to be placed on the Spur Scroll for the 635th Armor Regiment Order of the Spur as an auxilliary member. Auxilliary or honored civilian members are forever a part of the 635th Armor Regiment, Kansas Army National Guard, honors and lineage.

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Are you participating in honor of a Veteran?

Let us help you Recognize that Veteran! When you register make sure you provide your Veteran's name. Also, we would love to hear your Veterans story. Please send a picture, name, rank and branch, a brief description of their service to: [email protected]

We will post your picture and writeup in the Hero's photo gallery as well as have their name on the sign in our walk of honor at the Freedom Fest Expo.