This past weekend was the Summer Death Race in Vermont. Our fellow Lone Star, Carlos Segnini competed and was one of the few finishers. We caught up with him to ask about his time during the event.
1. What made you want to do death race?
2024 I got the Season pass plus that included the Hurricane Heat and I decided to get the trifecta. I did the 4hrs first and fell in love with it. The mix of physical and mental challenges and the camaraderie of suffering together is on a different level as compared with a regular Spartan race. From the 4hrs I went to the 12hrs and loved it even more. I was ready to do the 24hrs last summer in Vermont, but the others in my Airbnb were doing Death Race, so I changed my ticket last minute and went for it. I lasted 32hrs or so and I knew I could do it, just had to put in the work. So I spent the year preparing for it.
2. What was your favorite part?
My favorite part will always be the camaraderie with the others. Helping and encouraging each other. Yes, this is a race, and they are your competitors, but sharing the load and working together makes it easier. At least until you hit the death phase, where the individual challenges begin.
This year, perhaps my favorite challenge was a navigation challenge we did overnight. We had a point in a map and had to traverse the mountains to get there, with no trails, no markers, nothing. Just plain bushwhacking
3. What advice would you give someone wanting to do the death race?
Start like I did, do a few hurricane heat and start studying past death races. Talk to others who have participated before and get training
Your mind always gives up before your body. Yes you need to have a certain level of fitness to complete the challenges, but having the right attitude is what will help you succeed.
Prepare to fail, to make mistakes, to adapt.
4. Would you do it again?
Absolutely! In fact the current plan is to come back to Vermont for the Winter Death Race in January. Want to join?
5. Anything else you want to share?
It’s easy to say “I cannot do it” and chuck it aside. But dare to try, dare to fail. Many never finish the Death Race, but I truly believe that they get the exact level of accomplishment than someone who finishes. Knowing that they went as far as they could, that they pushed their own limits, that they died figuratively and came back a different person. Those mountains are magical, the events happening there are transformational. Give them a try, even if you’re coming just to crew or witness the events. It will be one of the best trips you’ll ever do
