Samson Challenge is SOLD OUT - please contact Susanna Pier to get on a waiting list! (each year, we do have few spots open up!) susannap@jccabq.org
Welcome to JCC's 7th Annual Samson Challenge!
This event is a unique obstacle course combining endurance, strongman, CrossFit and adventure race activities all in one. Locally produced by the JCC of Greater Albuquerque, this heart pumping challenge is every adrenaline junkie's dream come true.
The Samson Challenge can be taken on competitively - or just for fun - at any fitness level. You can compete as a Warrior, Jock, Not-So-Average Joe/Jane, Masters (50+), and Rock Stars (65+) or you can also compete with a friend in the Jock-level partner challenge - you can sign up for coed-partners or same-sex partners. All levels' winners will receive great prizes!
Events include: rowing, tire flips, spartan pull, ground to overhead lift, sandbag carry (with army crawl & hay bale obstacles), tire pull, yoke carry, agility matrix, overhead lunges with straight leg sit ups, medicine ball toss and a water wade. Samson Athlete Prep video will be published soon on the JCC Samson Challenge Facebook Page and our website!
This year we are bringing back our 6th annual Truck Pull. Athletes will pull a truck weighing half-ton for 25 meters and fastest time will win! There are categories for both men & women!
Warrior level Samson participants that also participate in the truck pull are eligible for SuperAthlete category, and prizes are awarded to the top three!
JCC is also proud to present our 5th annual Junior Samson. This special course is designed for young athletes ages 5-14. The kids course has more focus on agility, balance and endurance than just pure strength, and it is always a blast!
The JCC offers a SAMSON PREP COURSE leading up to the event. The course is 8 weeks leading up to race day, and will familiarize you with the 2022 Samson course setting you up for victory on race day! Join JCC trainers and Samson experts Tracee & Mark on Wed. evenings or Chris & Lee on Sat. mornings. Final class for ALL prep course participants will be a full course run-through and will take place Saturday, 9/10 at 9:30am. Register here: https://jccabq.org/meeting/samson-prep-course/
ATHLETE PREP VIDEO 2022
Samson Challenge Event Standards 2022
Event 1 – Rowing
Athletes will begin on the rower. Each athlete is permitted to set their damper to the desired setting.
Warrior Men – 1000 meters Warrior Women – 1000 meters
Jock Men – 750 meters Jock Women – 750 meters
Not-So-Ave. Joe Men – 500 meters Not-So-Average Jane – 500 meters
Master’s Male – 500 meters Master’s Female – 500 meters
Rockstar Male – 400 meters Rockstar Female – 400 meters
* Partner Samson – each participant will row 500 meters simultaneously
Event 2 – Tire Flips
The athlete will advance to their prescribed tire. Ten total tire flips must be completed. Tire will be flipped 5 times forward. Then participant will switch to the other end of tire and flip it 5 times back. If tire is too heavy for the athlete to complete all 10 flips, the athlete is allowed to take a penalty for advancement. A one-minute penalty will be assessed for each uncompleted repetition. This will be added to the total time of the athlete at the completion of the course.
Example – 3 non completed repetitions = 3 minute penalty
Warrior Men – Red tire (390lbs) Warrior Women – Orange tire (280lbs)
Jock Men – Purple tire (280lbs) Jock Women – Green tire (171lbs)
Joe/Masters – Yellow tire (171lbs) Jane/Masters – Pink tire (83lbs)
Rockstar Men – Yellow tire (171lbs) Rockstar Women – Blue tire (45lbs)
* Partner Samson – Coed & Female partners flip a female jock level tire (Green 171lbs) to one another for a total of 20 flips. Male Partners will flip the Purple tire (280lbs) to one another. The tire must hit the ground after each flip.
Event 3 – Spartan Pull
Each athlete will advance to their prescribed rope/kettlebell. Athlete will sit down, place their heels on the wall, grab their rope and pull their kettlebell all the way up 10 reps. Movement is to be done in a seated position, with bottom down at all times. If the bag is too heavy for athlete to finish all 10 reps, the athlete can take a penalty. There will be one-minute penalty for each uncompleted repetition.
Warrior Men – 50lbs Red KB Warrior Women – 40lbs Orange KB
Jock Men – 40lbs Purple KB Jock Women – 30lbs Green KB
Joe/Masters Men – 30lbs Yellow KB Jane/Masters – 15lbs Pink KB
Rockstar Men – 30lbs Yellow KB Rockstar Women – 10lbs Blue KB
* Partner Samson – One partner will pull the appropriate Jock-level KB (Purple for males and Green for females) 10 reps while the other partner holds a plate (Coed/female: 35lbs, Male: 45lbs) above their heads. When 10 reps are reached, partners will switch.
Event 4 – Ground to Overhead
Athletes enter the Futsal Cage from north door. Athletes will find their color-coded station to perform 20 Ground to Overhead lifts. Warriors will use pre-loaded barbells and perform 20 snatches or clean & presses. All other categories will use a plate; edge of the plate must touch the ground on each repetition and the plate must be lifted above the athlete’s head. Once complete, athletes will exit the Futsal Cage through the south door.
Warrior Men – 95lbs Red Warrior Women – 75lbs Orange
Jock Men – 45lbs Purple Jock Women – 35lbs Green
Joe/Masters Men – 35lbs Yellow Jane/Masters – 25lbs Pink
Rockstar Men – 25lbs Yellow Rockstar Women – 10lbs Blue
* Partner Samson – Partners will perform “The Worm” together. The Worm is a long, narrow bag filled with sand. Partners will stand ‘single file’ and lift the worm: from ground to shoulder, then from shoulder to arms extended overhead, then to other shoulder, then drop to ground on the other side. Repeat this lift, from side to side, for 20 total overhead lifts (10 each side). Coed and female partner worm will be approximately 60lbs, and male partner worm will be approximately 80lbs.
Event 5 - Sandbag Run
After Ground to Overhead is completed athlete will advance to the sandbag station and pick up their appropriately labeled sandbag. Run will then take place around the field; in a clearly marked off course. This run will be 2 total laps around the field (approximately 600m). During each lap athlete will army crawl with their sandbag through the netting on the east side of the field and go over haybale obstacles.
Rockstar (65+) Modification: 1-lap only!
Below are the specific weight requirements for the sandbag run:
Warrior Men – 50lb sandbag Red Warrior Women – 30lb Sandbag Orange
Jock Men – 30lb Sandbag Purple Jock Women – 20lb Sandbag Green
Joe/Masters – 20lb Sandbag Yellow Jane/Masters – 10lb Sandbag Pink
Rockstar Men – 20lb Sandbag Yellow Rockstar Women – 5lb Sandbag Blue
* Partner Samson - Partners will run together for 3 laps while carrying jock-level sandbag purple for coed/males and green for females. Each team can decide how to carry the bag as they deem appropriate. Both partners will crawl under the net during each lap and climb over haybale obstacles.
Event 5 – Sled Pull.
Athlete will load their sled with an appropriate amount of weight, pull at any technique (front/back/any grip) for 25 meters, turn the sled around and pull back for another 25 meters. Athletes can NOT shorten the rope, and hands need to be placed at the loops at the end of the rope. After the total of 50 meters pull – athlete will have to unload and turn the sled around for the next contestant.
Tire weight is 65lbs for warriors - Red & Orange Marked Tire
Tire weight is 55lbs for all other categories. Purple, Green, Gray, Yellow, Pink, Blue
Warrior Men – 170lbs Load: 3 x 35lbs Warrior Women – 115lbs Load: 2 x 25lbs
Jock Men – 130lbs Load: 3 x 25lbs Jock Women – 90lbs Load: 1 x 25lbs + 1 x 10lbs
Joe/Masters – 105lbs Load 2 x 25lbs Jane/Masters – 65lbs: Load 1 x 10lbs
Rockstar Men – 85lbs Load 3 x 10lbs Rockstar Women – 55lbs: Tire only
* Partner Samson - Partners will pull one Warrior tire in unison (each partner will be pulling from one handle). They will load 3 x 35lbs to the Warrior Tire for coed/males and 2 x 25lbs for the females.
Event 6 – Yoke Carry
Athlete will carry designated yoke on their shoulders (behind head) until 80-meter mark, turn around, and carry the yoke back to start. Athlete can place the yoke down for a break at any time and continue when they are recovered.
Warrior Men – 50lbs/side Red Warrior Women – 30lbs/side Orange
Jock Men – 30lbs/side Purple Jock Women – 20lbs/side Green
Joe/Master –20lbs/side Yellow Jane/Master – 15lbs/side Pink
Rockstar Men – 20lbs/side Yellow Rockstar Women – 10lbs/side Blue
* Partner Samson - For partners, they will carry two yokes: 1 on their left shoulder and another one on the right shoulder in a line, facing the same direction. Yoke is female Jock-level, Green.
Event 7 – Agility Matrix (Lateral-Skater-Hops & Over & Unders)
Athletes will perform 20 meters of lateral skater hops over markers placed 4-feet apart. Feet must land past the marker on each repetition. Then athletes proceed to complete an agility matrix (over & under obstacles) and then sprint/jog/walk back. Athletes will not go through matrix as they return.
* Partner Samson: Partners will complete the same course, but must stay together.
Event 8- Overhead Lunges
Athlete will pick up their dedicated barbell, place it in overhead position and lunge 25 meters. Back Knee must touch the ground. Once athlete reaches the 25-meter mark, she/he will perform 25 straight leg sit ups with barbell overhead, then athlete will lunge back. If you decide to skip this station, there will be 10-minute penalty. If you can’t touch the knee to the ground, you can inform your referee this before starting the Samson race, lunge to your best ability and referee will add 2-minute penalty to your time.
Rockstar Modification: Bar can be carried on shoulders
No Knee touch to ground required
25 sit ups without a bar
Walk/Jog back without lunging
Warrior Men – 18lbs Red Warrior Women – 18lbs - Orange
Jock Men – 18lbs Purple Jock Women – 15lbs Green
Joe/Master – 15lbs Yellow Jane/Master – 12lbs Pink
Rockstar Men – 15lbs Yellow Rockstar Women – 9lbs Blue
* Partner Samson: Partners will each lunge with their Jock-level bar (Purple for males and Green for females). Sit ups will be bent kneed, no bar and include a high-five after each of the 25 reps.
200m Sprint/Jog/Walk/Crawl to Sand Volleyball Court
Athletes will follow the clearly marked path from the field to the #9 event at the sand volleyball court. This is an approximately 200meter sprint/jog/walk.
Event 9 – Medicine Ball Toss
Athlete will receive their designated weighted medicine ball and will complete 10 repetitions. Each repetition will consist of a squat, thrust and toss, resulting in the medicine ball clearing the top of the volleyball net and landing on the opposite side. Athlete will then retrieve their ball and repeat, for 10 repetitions total. The medicine ball HAS TO TOUCH THE GROUND in between throws. Inability to complete all repetitions will result in 10 min. penalty. 1-minute penalty will be assessed for each uncompleted repetition. Upon completion of all repetitions, athlete will advance through the gate closest to the volleyball court, into the pool area.
Warrior Men – 30lbs Red Warrior Women – 20lbs Orange
Jock Men – 20lbs Purple Jock Women – 14lbs Green
Joe/Master – 14lbs Yellow Jane/Master – 6lbs Pink
Rockstar Men – 14lbs Yellow Rockstar Women – 4lbs Blue
* Partner Samson: Coed/Female Partners will throw Jock Women’s ball (Green 14lbs) to each other for 20 total reps and Male Partners will throw Jock Men's ball (Purple 20lbs). Athletes can catch each other’s throws or let it drop if need to be.
Event 10 – Wade the Water with overhead Carry!
Athlete will remove shoes, and if they choose to, clothes as well (bathing suit required…) pick up their dedicated weight and jump FEET FIRST into shallow end of the pool into one of the Samson-dedicated lap lanes based on their height. Athlete will carry a dedicated weight over their head while walking in the water. Athlete will walk from one end to the next and back. Athlete needs to return the weight back to pick-up location for the next athlete.
Lanes are dedicated for various heights.
Lane 1. 5’-5’3”, Lane 2. 5’4”-5’7”, Lane 3. 5’8”-5’11”, Lane 5. 6’+
Weights to be carried overhead:
Warrior Men – 45lbs Red Warrior Women – 35lbs Orange
Jock Men – 35lbs Purple Jock Women – 25lbs Green
Joe/Master – 25lbs Yellow Jane/Master – 10lbs Pink
Rockstar Men – 25lbs Yellow Rockstar Women – 5lbs Blue
* Partner Samson - Coed/male Partners will carry one 50lbs weight together Female Partners will carry 40lbs weight together. Both athletes’ hands must be on the weight.
To finish the course and lock in a final time, athlete will sound the buzzer/bell, located several feet outside the pool.
*If an athlete chooses to skip any event, she/he will receive a 10 min penalty.
Registration fees
Female Warrior Closed
Online registration closed-
Highest level of competition for Samson Challenge. This levels requires advanced level of strength and endurance. Please see the Event Standards for weights/distances for each movement to determine if this the right level for you.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Female Jock Closed
Online registration closed-
Jock level requires intermediate level of fitness. Please see Event Standards for weight and distances.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Not-So-Average-Jane Closed
Online registration closed-
This level is great for a beginning level of fitness and is well suitable for anyone recovering from an injury. The weights relatively light - but still heavy enough for a nice challenge. You ain't an average Jane, if you can complete the Samson Challenge. See event standards for weights and distances.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Female Master's (50+) Closed
Online registration closed-
Master's Level Samson is for everyone over 50-years old. Master's will compete in Samson at Not-So-Average-Jane level equipment.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Female Rockstar (65+) Closed
Online registration closed-
Samson Rockstar level is for everyone over 65-years of age. You guys rock!!!
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Male Warrior Closed
Online registration closed-
Warrior is the highest level of competition for Samson Challenge. This levels requires advanced level of strength and endurance. Please see the Event Standards for weights/distances for each movement to determine if this the right level for you.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Male Jock Closed
Online registration closed-
Jock level requires intermediate level of fitness. Please see Event Standards for specific weights and distances.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Not-So-Average-Joe Closed
Online registration closed-
Not-So-Average-Joe level requires beginning level of fitness and is well suitable for someone recovering from an injury. You ain't an average Joe, if you can complete Samson Challenge.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Male Masters (50+) Closed
Online registration closed-
Masters Level of Samson Challenge is for everyone 50-years and older. Please see event standards for more information.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Male Rockstar (65+) Closed
Online registration closed-
Rockstar- Samson Challenge is for all the athletes 65-years and older.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Female Truck Pull Closed
Online registration closed-
Athletes will pull a truck (5,000 lbs) for 25 meters for time.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Male Truck Pull Closed
Online registration closed-
Athletes will pull a Truck (5,000+ lbs) for 25 meters for time.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 17 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 18 – Aug 30
-
Female Super Athlete Closed
Online registration closed-
Athlete competes in the Samson Challenge at Warrior Level and competes in the Truck Pull Event.
-
$95.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$105.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 12 -
$125.00
Late Registration
Aug 13 – Aug 30
-
Male Super Athlete Closed
Online registration closed-
Athlete competes in the Samson Challenge at Warrior level and competes in the Truck Pull Event.
-
$95.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$105.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 12 -
$125.00
Late Registration
Aug 13 – Aug 30
-
Samson & Truck Pull Bundle Closed
Online registration closed-
Athlete competes in the Individual Samson Challenge in a category other than Warrior (Jock, Not-So-Average Joe/Jane, Masters, Rockstar) and competes in the Truck Pull Event.
-
$95.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$105.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 12 -
$125.00
Late Pricing
Aug 13 – Aug 30
-
Individual & Partner Bundle Closed
Online registration closed-
Athlete competes in individual Samson Challenge and Partner Samson Challenge.
-
$95.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$105.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 12 -
$125.00
Late Pricing
Aug 13 – Aug 30
-
Super Athlete & Partner Bundle Closed
Online registration closed-
Athlete competes as Super Athlete (warrior level and truck pull) and Partner Samson.
-
$135.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$145.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 12 -
$155.00
Late Pricing
Aug 13 – Aug 30
-
Individual, Partner & Truck Pull Bundle Closed
Online registration closed-
Athlete competes in individual Samson (as Jock, Not-So-Average Joe/Jane, Masters or Rockstar), Truck Pull and Partner Samson Challenge.
-
$135.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$145.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 12 -
$155.00
Late Pricing
Aug 13 – Aug 30
-
Partner Challenge (Male Partners) Closed
Online registration closed-
Partner Samson Challenge is designed for 2-partners competing at the Jock-level. See Samson Athlete Prep -video for Samson Partner challenge specific events.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 12 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 13 – Aug 30
-
Samson Challenge (Female Partners) Closed
Online registration closed-
Partner Samson Challenge is designed for teams of 2 competing at the Female Jock- level. Please see Athlete Prep video to prepare for Partner Challenge.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 12 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 13 – Aug 30
-
Partner Samson (Coed Partners) Closed
Online registration closed-
Partner Challenge is designed for teams of 2. This category is for COED Jock Level competition. Both partners needs to register separately.
-
$60.00
Early Bird Pricing
Jun 1 – Jun 17 -
$70.00
Regular Pricing
Jun 18 – Aug 12 -
$85.00
Late Pricing
Aug 13 – Aug 30
-
JUNIOR SAMSON Closed
Junior Samson is for young athletes ages 5-14. Competition mimics the Samson Challenge, but concentrates more on speed, agility, balance and coordination.
-
$25.00Jun 1 - Aug 31
Contact information
- Event contact
- Susanna Pier
- susannap@jccabq.org
- Phone
- 505-418-4478
