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Participants in Western Illinois University alum Joe Decker's 2013 Ultimate Suck race/fitness competition. Registration cost for the 2014 36-hour race is $275 per person (+ $6.87 sign-up fee); cost of the 12-hour option is $150.00 (+ $4.50 sign-up fee). Current WIU students are eligible for a 50 percent discount for both the 12-hour and 36-hour options. The coupon code to receive the discount is "WIU" and students will need to show their valid WIU IDs when they check in for their individual race options (12-hour or 36-hour race). Racers can register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Cuba/TheUltimateSUCK.
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Joe Decker, and his wife, Nicole (who is The Ultimate Suck race director) at the 2013 competition at Decker's family farm, located near Cuba, IL.
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World's Fittest Man, Cuba, IL, Native/WIU Alum Calling for Volunteers for Ultimate SUCK Race in Cuba

July 17, 2014

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MACOMB/CUBA, IL – It's got the word "ultimate" in its name for a reason…

According to Joe Decker, Western Illinois University alumnus, Cuba native and Guinness Book of World Records holder for the "World's Fittest Man," his 36-hour race, "The Ultimate Suck" — set for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29–7 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 31 at Decker's family's farm near Cuba — combines strenuous Midwestern farm chores with military boot camp, trail running, strongman training and other "somewhat punishing" activities to push racers to their ultimate physical and mental limits. Last year, the Livestrong organization named it "one of the most extreme fitness tests in America."

Once again Decker is seeking both local racers and volunteers to take part in the 36-hour event or the "mini" 12-hour race option, which is set for 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29- 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 30.

"We would love to get even more Western students, as well as faculty and staff members, involved with the event this year," Decker said. "Those who are not volunteering, of course, are encouraged to enter the race."

According to Decker, volunteers will help out at aid stations along the course to help keep racers safe. Volunteers are also invited to sport their workout gear to motivate racers on the course. As for those who choose to race, the competition will be a mix of strenuous activities for the duration of the 36-hour and 12-hour race options.

"The 12-hour will start the same time as the 36-hour race, but will only be roughly one-third of the events," Decker explained. "I would strongly suggest competitors get proficient at all the military physical training tests and standards."

Registration cost for the 36-hour race is $275 per person (+ $6.87 sign-up fee); cost of the 12-hour option is $150.00 (+ $4.50 sign-up fee). Current WIU students are eligible for a 50 percent discount for both the 12-hour and 36-hour options. The coupon code to receive the discount is "WIU" and students will need to show their valid WIU IDs when they check in for their individual race options (12-hour or 36-hour race). Racers can register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/Cuba/TheUltimateSUCK.

Decker owns and founded the San Diego-based boot camp Gut Check Fitness.

In 2011, he became the annual Spartan Death Race's first-ever two-time winner. In 2000, Decker made his mark on the fitness world by breaking the Guinness Book of World Records' 24-Hour Fitness Challenge, giving him the right to claim the title of "World's Fittest Man."

Decker graduated from WIU in 1998 with a bachelor's degree in exercise science, and he was recognized by Western with the 2009 College of Education and Human Services' Distinguished Alumni Award.

For more information, or to sign up as a volunteer, contact Nicole Decker, race director, at nicole@gutcheckfitness.com. Learn more about Gut Check Fitness at gutcheckfitness.com/.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing