Gung-Ho Came To Newcastle

On Saturday, September 19th Gung-Ho the fun 5k giant inflatable obstacle course came to Newcastle. If you are unsure of what Gung-Ho is where have you been hiding? as it has been all over social media and the press for weeks. When we were invited to take part by the super lovely Alex Winters (yes the CBeebies presenter ) I knew that we had to go as my daughter and partner were eager to take part and myself and the little two children tagged along to watch. 

Gung-Ho is like nothing you have ever seen before it is a 5k run but it is not any old run, oh no this is a 5k run that is an obstacle course and the obstacles are giant inflatables that are seriously fun. I am not just talking bouncy castles either they are really impressive huge inflatable obstacles that are fun for adults and older children. When I first saw them I really wished that I was taken part myself as they looked amazing. There was a climbing wall, giant ball pool, foam filled maze and the giant Thriller which is a 5 storey high slide, which is Europe's biggest inflatable slide. 

The event was on for most of the day starting at 9am with Waves of runners taken part every 15 minutes throughout the day. We were booked to take part at 9.30 am as my daughter Chloe who is 12 was taken part and the early morning sessions were quieter and I felt this would be better for her. We arrived at the event early and I was pleased that it was actually sunny for once here in the North East.

The event was clearly signposted with ample parking available on site, when we arrived we headed to the registration tent to collect wristbands and numbers to show we were taken part. It was a really well-organised event with lots of staff dotted around who were easily recognisably in fluorescent vests. There was lots of portaloos dotted around and first aid and lost children tents. There was also lots of things to keep us spectators happy such as a free bouncy castle for little ones to enjoy, ice-cream vans and food and drink stalls. 

There was a stage near the start line playing music and with fitness instructors on stage helping the participating to warm up before the race. Alex did a wonderful job at keeping the audience entertained and was so cheerful and full of energy, waving each group of runners off to start the race. When it was time for Chloe to take part she entered a pen where the wave of runners in her time slot waited to start the race, only so many people can run at once so they set you off in groups. My other half Lee was meant to be taking part but he has damaged the tendons in his hand so was unable to compete, but he ran the course with Chloe to make sure she was ok and to take some photos.

The countdown started and as soon as Alex shouted "Be Gung-Ho" she was off and ran straight for the first obstacle which was giant stairs you had to climb up, she was one of the first over the other side and slid down the slide on the other side, which was amazing as so many people were falling back down and struggling to get up which was funny. Next, it was a short jog to the next obstacle which was a climbing wall, she had a bit more trouble with this one being smaller than some of the other participants but the staff on hand give her a leg up and helped her over the wall.

After that, the course went out of sight of the spectators so Chloe had to tell me what it was like. After the climbing wall it was a 10 minute run to the next obstacle which was called the day tripper this looked like a giant connect four frame and it was big holes you had to jump through to get to the other side and everyone kept falling over on. 

Next up was the Labyrinth a maze filled with foam that you have to try and find your way out, this one was really messy and funny as everyone got covered in foam. Another five-minute run led to a giant ball pool which was a pit filled with giant inflatable balls and you had to try and get your way out but you keep getting stuck between the moving giant 6ft balls.

Another five-minute run to born slippy which is two ramps that are slippy and covered in foam you have to run and jump over these. You jumped over one wall and then into a foam pit and then you had to jump over the second wall. 

The next obstacle was Chloe's favourite it was a climbing wall with a mini slide on the other side and it was really wet and slippy so whenever you tried to climb it you just slid back down again and it took her ten minutes to get over the wall but it was really funny as everyone kept falling down. 

Then it was the jungle which is 100 ft long obstacle course that you had to climb under tunnels, climb upstairs and down slides and dodge big balls that were hanging from the ceiling. This was great fun. Then it was time to go on walking on the moon a 5000 sq ft bouncy castle, this was really big and Chloe had to be helped onto it as it was so high and really bouncy. 

Then it was time for the grand finale the Thriller a 5 storey high and 200ft long giant inflatable slide, she quickly climbed up the steps and then went down the slide which looked amazing and leads to the finish line. She completed the course in around 45 minutes. When she finished she was given a t-shirt, wristband and headband at the finish line for taking part. She also grabbed a bottle of water as she was exhausted, there were stands given out bottles of water around the course as well in case anyone needed a one.

We left the event in high spirits as it was such a great morning, Chloe had great fun on the course and I had great fun watching the event. There was lots of spectators and competitors and everyone was smiling and laughing and looked like they were having lots of fun. There were so many different people taken part from older children to adults and there were so many teams taken part for charities and people in fancy dress. As soon as Chloe finished the course she said that she wanted to do it again and the other half also said he wanted to take part too as it looked so much fun. 

So it is a good job that Gung-Ho is returning to Newcastle race-course on the 2nd July 2016 and tickets are available to book online on the Gung-Ho website www.begung-ho.co.uk now. Prices start at just £35 if you book before the 11th March, you get two free spectators per competitor and children under four can watch for free. There are no age restrictions but you do need to be taller then 123 cm to take part, you don't have to run the course either you can walk it if you prefer as it is not a timed race it is all just about having fun.

Tickets to Gung-Ho would make a fantastic Christmas present for someone if you are struggling on what to buy this year. We will defiantly be going back and I am tempted to take part myself even though I am not in the least bit fit and have not run for years, but it just looked like such a fun event. .

I would just like to say a huge thank you to Alex for inviting us along to Gung-Ho we had a great time and we will defiantly be returning next year. 

Disclosure We were kindly given free tickets to attend this event but all words and opinions in this article are my own. We genuinely loved it.