The 8th annual Arnold 5K Pump and Run was one of the athletic events held during the 20th annual Arnold Fitness Weekend, which is billed as "The Largest Fitness Expo in the World". Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was on hand again this year to start the race. Governor Schwarzenegger said the "The Pump and Run is a true test of one's fitness as it combines both strength and endurance."
With 700 athletes registered for the Arnold 5K Pump and Run from twenty-six States, Washington D.C., Canada and London, England, this event is the largest of its' kind in the World. The race started on High Street at the north end of the Greater Columbus Convention Center, ran towards downtown, by the Nationwide Arena, around Goodale Park, through the Short North, North Market area, and the Arena District, and finished behind the Convention Center.
Before the runners started their run they spent the morning weighing in and bench pressing to reduce their running times. The lifting rules were: Men 39 and under bench pressed 100% of their weight, men 40 - 49 did 90% of their weight, men 50 and over benched 80% of their weight, men 60-69 did 70% and men 70 and over lifted 60%. Women 39 and under benched pressed 70% of their weight, women 40 - 49 benched 60% of their weight, women 50-59 benched 50% of their weight and women 60 and over lifted 40%. For each lift a runner's time was reduced by 30 seconds with a maximum of 30 reps counted.
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The Arnold 5K Pump and Run has changed the sport of running. What began as a way for athletes to show their overall fitness by pressing their body weight and completing a simple 5K run has evolved into the premiere event to demonstrate complete fitness for athletes.
