City Challenge Obstacle Race
121 River St.
(201) 659-3873
citychallengerace.com
If you’re walking along Sinatra Drive and spot a guy—or a gal—jumping or sliding over a police car or taxi cab, no worries. It’s all part of an obstacle race to raise funds for charities.
An unfortunate event in his own family spurred Elvi Guzman to launch this exciting and community-spirited enterprise. Just as his sister was diagnosed with breast cancer, Guzman conceived of the City Challenge Obstacle race. “An urban race right in our backyard would be a great idea,” Guzman says. The idea, which came to fruition in spring 2013, was similar to the Mud Run. But for that event, “Folks had to travel hours to get to a venue,” Guzman says, “and had to throw away their muddy shoes after the race.”
This obstacle course runs through city streets, as opposed to in parks or mountainous areas. Currently, races take place in Hoboken, Jersey City, New York City, and Orlando. Guzman wants to expand to other cities, such as Boston, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
He emphasizes that these are not franchises. “In my races, we travel to those cities,” he says, “load the obstacles and produce the races.”
Given its charitable mission, “obstacle” may not be the best word to describe these events. For that first race, Guzman raised funds for the Susan G. Komen organization to fight breast cancer. Thankfully, his sister is now healthy. Other nonprofits that receive a portion of funds from ticket sales include The Wounded Warrior Project; Jersey City Youth Foundation; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Safe Horizon New York; the United Negro College Fund; and the Hoboken Shelter.
This year, the city of Hoboken partnered with City Challenge and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties for the October 1 race to raise funds and awareness for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
A Fit Kid
Guzman, who is Dominican, came to the U.S. at age 7, grew up in Perth Amboy, went to junior college in Edison, and earned a degree in business management from Florida International University in Miami. His background is in the hospitality business, where he worked in the management program of the Ritz-Carlton.
So, how did he go from all this to the obstacle-race business? “I grew up playing sports,” Guzman says, “being very active in gym class, running in the backyard with neighbors, playing baseball and basketball. I have a background in amateur boxing exhibitions. I have a fitness-oriented lifestyle.”
Now, at age 37, he’s lived in Hoboken for eight years, coming here for the reason most newcomers do: the easy commute to Manhattan. Though his family is not part of his business, his family and friends show up on race days to volunteer. At press time, he’d produced some seven races.
He produced Turkey Trots in Hoboken and the Jersey City Heights, and the New Year’s Run and the Valentine’s Day 5K, both here in town. Guzman is the brains behind the obstacles, including the jump-over-the-car favorite, unique to his race.
Church and Champs
“I come from a very humble background,” Guzman says. “My parents have a high-school education. They worked in factories to put us through school, so the struggle is real. There were eight of us in a three-bedroom apartment. I grew the business through hard work and God’s will.”
He attends Saints Peter and Paul in Hoboken every Sunday. For his success, he credits “God and His will, combined with hard work and relentless efforts.”
The hard work has paid off. “The most fulfilling thing about going into this type of business,” he says, “is seeing people lose weight, get in shape, and live an active and healthier lifestyle through fitness. I see them cross the finish line after a grueling hour-long obstacle race. The smiles on their faces motivate me to create great events for our community.”
Those events can be life-altering. “Athletes lose 50, 60, or 70 pounds, give up alcohol and smoking, and keep the weight off, thanks to participations in the race,” Guzman says. “They turn around their lives completely. It’s fulfilling to see.”—07030