Many said it was impossible.
Over a thousand have proved them wrong.
In just three years, the collective mass of over a thousand participants, young and senior, men and women, individuals and families and OHEL individuals have proven that the combination of physical challenge and exhilarating fun is a win-win in an Xtreme challenge for an Xtremely great cause!
On Sunday, May 21, over 550 participants, including 70 individuals with disabilities and 71 teams, courageously ran, climbed, jumped, muscled, crawled and even swam through 35 obstacles at OXC, the one-of-a-kind mud run-style obstacle race at OHEL’s beautiful Camp Kaylie in Wurtsboro, New York.
The unique OXC challenge appeals to both individuals and families, given the choice of either the five-mile individual or 1.5-mile family obstacle course. Separate start times and waves were made available for elite, men, women, teams and families.
What draws so many to OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services’ Xtreme Challenge Classic?
OHEL’s OXC Classic provides the unique opportunity for participants to challenge their own bodies and test their limits, all while helping others—supporting children and adults with disabilities who face greater challenges every day. At OHEL, we help thousands of individuals overcome different personal struggles they may face—from abuse to depression, disability to divorce.
OXC is the product of the bold and determined vision of OXC Co-Chairs Ben Englander, Phil Goldfeder, Aryeh Jacobson, Etan Kestenbaum, Yehuda Konig, Rachelle Rosenberg and Jeffrey Schwartz.
The welcomingly sunny day began with a hearty and healthy breakfast, with a delicious BBQ lunch following the race. It was a fun day for all ages:—whether as participants, spectators, or family members who were there to cheer on their relatives.
Ben Englander, OXC co-chair and a 2017 race participant, commented, “We knew OXC would succeed and the turnout today speaks for itself! You see the incredible attraction of this distinct event, where people can both have a fun, challenging and exhilarating time, while at the same time, engage in such meaningful chesed—for such an important communal cause.”
Congratulations to our top fundraisers: Rachelle Rosenberg, Rabbi Lewis Wienerkur and Avi Dagan, the top fundraising teams of Team #AVIDSTRONG, Team FIT Studio and Team Rosco Mud Runners, and the top student teams of DRS High School for Boys, Beth Abraham Teen Program and Frisch High School.
Rabbi Avi Weber, OXC community coordinator, commented that “This year we saw an unprecedented increase of participating trainers and gyms, the number of engaged schools and over 175 students—which bears testimony that OXC galvanizes both individual physical determination, and a communal sense of responsibility to doing good.”
OHEL is grateful to its sponsors, including event sponsors Harvey and Gloria Kaylie and obstacle course sponsor Jack Jaffa & Associates. Other sponsors included ABC Communications; ABF Mud Run; Atlantic PC, Inc.; AVID Fitness; Barristers Title Agency, LLC; Clif Bar; Dependable Abstract Inc.; FIT Studio; FM Home Loans; Inflated Creations; Miller Realty; Modell’s Sporting Goods; Omni Managed Health; ReliaTech Network Solutions; Rosco Vision Systems; Rosenberg & Steinmetz PC; Saxony Title; Stein, Farkas & Schwartz LLP; TriState Capital; and others, as well as our many participants who helped raise money to make this event possible. OHEL additionally thanks Toby Schwartz Graphic Design for her creative design and branding work for OXC, as well as the many trainers who helped participants get in shape for this event. Participants left not only with a tremendous feeling of personal and communal accomplishment but with OXC’s many swag giveaways: T-shirts, gloves and more.
Alan Secter, chief development officer at OHEL, commented that “When you look at the range of participants, from 6 to 65 years young, the diversity of abilities amongst all, from rugged sports competitors to individuals with disabilities, and you see their exhilarating dash through the finish line, you see the personal achievement in all and the powerful inclusive message that sends to our community. We all have challenges, and collectively we are stronger by supporting one another and not least OHEL, an organization that does so much of the heavy lifting in our community.”
Ready to join them next year? Start training now—put it on your bucket list for you and your family! Be a part of the Fourth Annual OXC Classic event next year—pre-register at www.oheloxc.org.
Individuals interested in the many programs and services that OHEL provides should contact OHEL at 800-603-OHEL (6435), or visit www.ohelfamily.org.
