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An Ultimate Suck competitor in 2013. Western Illinois University students volunteered to help out with the event last year.
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WIU alumnus Joe Decker (right) prepares a weighted bucket in 2013 for "The Ultimate Suck," which is held annually at his family's farm near Cuba, IL.
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WIU Alum's 'Extreme' Fitness Test Set for Labor Day Weekend in Cuba, IL

August 21, 2014

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MACOMB/CUBA, IL – It's been dubbed "one of the most extreme fitness tests in America," and it is coming to western Illinois Labor Day weekend.

Last year, the Livestrong organization said of Joe Decker's grueling 36-hour "The Ultimate Suck" competition, "If it all sounds like it sucks, that's the point."

According to the Western Illinois University alumnus, Cuba (IL) native, Guinness Book of World Records holder for the "World's Fittest Man" and Gut Check Fitness founder Joe Decker, the contest 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. This year, it's set from 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29 to 7 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 31 at Decker's family's farm near Cuba

According to Nicole Decker, race director, so far this year, the event has 55 individuals registered and three competitors are from Gut Check Fitness' Australia location. In addition, Amy Palmiero Winters, who lost her left leg below the knee and now races as one of the world's top challenged athletes, will be at the event.

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 (+ $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.

In 2011, Decker 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 kinesiology, 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 at nicole@gutcheckfitness.com.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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