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Freak'n Farmer obstacle course will challenge participants

Participants will take on the Freak'n Farmer obstacle course race on Saturday
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THE FIFTH ANNUAL Freak'n Farmer at Covert Farms in Oliver will challenge participants with various farming tasks on Sept. 24.

The fifth annual Freak'n Farmer adventure obstacle course race, presented by Penticton Home Hardware and coordinated by Hoodoo Adventures and Covert Farms, will take place at Covert Farms on Sept. 24.

The day-long event, fit for the whole family, features five-kilometre, 10K and 20K obstacle course races, along with two races geared to children. Presented by Kubota Canada, the 3K Little Freak'n Farmer (for kids ages six to 12 years) and the .75K Mini Freak'n Farmer (for kids ages three to six years) will provide fun for little adventurers.

“People return year after year for a day of Freak’n Farmer fun and we are thrilled to report that participant numbers are on the rise (sold out at 700) for this year's race,” says Lyndie Hill, Hoodoo Adventures. “Teams of various sizes get into the spirit with creative costumes that add to the lively nature of the event.”

In addition to acres of obstacles, Covert Farms will also play host to a post-race BBQ featuring delicious farm-to-table offerings. Wine tastings will be provided by the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association; local breweries will also raise a glass to the event with beer tastings. Live music will entertain the crowd throughout the day.

For more than 50 years, the Covert family has been farming the 650-acres north of Oliver. Inspired by history, an adventure obstacle race was born – an event that speaks to the many arduous tasks that farm hands had to perform in the dry heat of Canada’s desert region.

All obstacles for the Freak’n Farmer are “covert” until the day of the event; 25 obstacles will be featured throughout the course.

Spectators are welcome to catch the action with hop-on/hop-off farm transportation available by donation with partial proceeds going to a local charity. A $25 spectator fee includes lunch and a glass with two tickets to sample local wine and beer.

“We look forward to this event all year,” said Gene Covert, organic farmer/winemaker, Covert Farms. “The Freak’n Farmer showcases the unique landscape of the South Okanagan and we can’t wait to unveil the awesome obstacles we have planned for this year’s event.”