Area obstacle course simulates active shooter scenario

Challenge modeled after military training

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The first RISE Tactical Challenge, held east of Bend on Sunday, tested participants’ functional fitness, shooting skills and stress management. 

The two-mile obstacle course took place at the Central Oregon Shooting Sports Association gun range, located about 20 miles east of Bend.

NewsChannel 21 spoke with the founder of RISE Challenge Events, Tammy Kovaluk, to learn more about what makes this obstacle course different from others.

Kovaluk said the RISE Tactical challenge is based on actual law enforcement and military personnel training.

“Our tag is, ‘Sign up. Show up. Rise up.’ And it’s about taking things that life throws at you and being able to rise out of them and take on a new challenge,” Kovaluk said.

The obstacle course simulated a violent encounter with a live shooting, a chase and dragging a person to safety. One of the obstacles was having to climb over a 12-foot-tall wooden wall.

According to Kovaluk, part of the proceeds from the event will go to local veteran nonprofits, including Central Oregon Veterans Ranch.

All obstacles were designed to test a person’s ability to handle themselves physically and mentally in a situation where they need to protect their family and themselves.

The next RISE Challenge event is the RISE Troops Challenge, which takes place on May 30 at Wanoga Sno-Park west of Bend.

For more information, visit https://www.risechallengeevents.com/.