Young Professionals Spearhead Spartan Fundraiser

Over 30 friends of Beat the Streets Chicago gathered at Smoke Daddy Barbecue across from Wrigley Field on Saturday, socializing and donning Beat the Streets gear in preparation for the task that faced them. In less than 30 minutes, they would be taking to the bleachers of the historic home of the Cubs as the first ever Beat the Streets Chicago Spartan Race Team. Colin Rogers, a member of the Young Professionals Board, a collection of Chicago area BTSC supporters who volunteer their time to advocate for BTSC’s mission of creating Life Champions through wrestling, gave a fiery speech before leading the charge to Wrigley Field.

Colin Rogers raised nearly $1,000 to support BTS Chicago Programs

16 athletes ran the race as representatives of Beat the Streets Chicago. The team was composed of Young Professionals, Coaches, and BTS administrators, all united in their goal to raise money for BTSC programming (and get the fastest time on the team). The 3 mile Spartan Stadion Race took place in 30° weather, and the racers completed the course’s 20+ obstacles in an average of 45 minutes, greeted by cheers and shouts of encouragement as they powered through the obstacles that separated them from the finish line in the Cub’s dugout. In order to reach that point, the racers had triumphed over such obstacles as weighted burpees, javelin throws, rope climbs, monkey bars, sandbag carries, and a truly atrocious number of stadium stairs, to name a few. The top times on the team were claimed by Kevin Masella (41:21), a former wrestler at OPRF, Jamie Berg (42:10), BTSC Development Associate, and Sonny Simonetti (43:58), BTSC Program Director. 

Curt Mastio raised over $500 for this event. Curt volunteers with BTSC in his free time. 

Following the race, the racers and other friends of BTSC returned to Smoke Daddy Barbecue to celebrate. 

The racers raised a total of $4,500, which will go directly to supporting wrestling programming that creates life champions in Chicago's under-resourced neighborhoods. Beat the Streets will be participating in more Spartan Races in the future, with one possibly taking place in May. Any and all friends of BTS Chicago are welcome, and we encourage everyone to participate and help raise money! In the meantime, There are numerous opportunities to get involved and have some fun with Beat the Streets over the next few months, including at our annual BTS Rookie Rumble on December 8th, Giving Tuesday, Hambingo at Oak Park Brewing on December 17th, and the January 18th  Beat the Streets Brawl! 

BTSC Program Director Sonny Simonetti took time off from changing the landscape of Chicago wrestling to run the Spartan Race.