Former CHARGE Champions Rugland, Lokken Take Top Honors at HARD CHARGE Fargo

Fargo, ND, June 20, 2014 --(PR.com)-- HARD CHARGE®, national television show and premier obstacle course racing series, crowned two CHARGE Champions at the Fargo event this past Saturday, June 14. Former CHARGE Champion and seven-time HARD CHARGE competitor, LeEarl Rugland of Roseau, MN captured the Men’s title, while reigning Fargo Women’s Champion, Alicia Lokken of Detroit Lakes, MN, repeated in her second HARD CHARGE event.

Coming off a second-place finish and tough injury sustained at last month’s HARD CHARGE Minneapolis event, Rugland raced a solid 8:10 minute pace per mile to beat several other veteran racers and win his second Championship. The cool, wet weather provided an advantage for Rugland, who said prior to the race, “I actually wish it was raining right now! I love running in the rain. But this weather is good, and I’m feeling great today. So we’ll see how it goes.”

Rugland crossed the finish line in 32:39, less than a minute ahead of six-time HARD CHARGE competitor, Kevin Stankiewicz of Bismarck. Consistent third-place finisher, Stankiewicz put on a hard push in the final few yards to overcome Jade Johnson of Jamestown, and earn second place. This was Stankiewicz’s highest-ever spot on the podium; he finished in a time of 33:19, followed by Johnson, who crossed the finish line in a time of 33:25.

Lokken, reigning HARD CHARGE Fargo Women’s Champion, finished this year’s event in 43:58. “It was a great course, definitely harder than last year,” Lokken said at the finish line. Despite taking a one-minute penalty for slipping off No Holds Barred, Lokken still managed to maintain a pace per mile of 11:00 and get back ahead of the pack to finish first. She beat second-place finisher Heather Inczauskis of Jamestown, who finished in 44:29. Brandi Nelson of Devils Lake placed third, crossing the finish line in a time of 47:03.

A full list of top placers can be found on the HARD CHARGE Facebook page, while complete race results, and event photos and videos are available at HardCharge.com/Fargo2014.

This was HARD CHARGE’s second event in Fargo, and hosted thousands of participants, volunteers, spectators and local vendors. Two episodes were filmed for HARD CHARGE, the first and only obstacle course racing television series. It focuses on the world’s fastest-growing adventure sport and the athletes who compete for the title of CHARGE Champion. The series airs nationally on Comcast SportsNet, Fox Sports and various local affiliates across the country. Locally, episodes can be seen on Fox Sports North every Friday night at 11 and KVLY every Saturday at midnight.

Those interested in taking part in the next HARD CHARGE event will have the opportunity on July 19 in Chicago. Viewers can watch the series, then decide if they’ll CHARGE a HARD CHARGE course for Fun or CHARGE for Glory to earn a spot to race on TV. See a full list of upcoming events and register at HardCharge.com/events.