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Björn had chased up early. Even moreso than his usual endurance runs for a quick twenty minute warmup with his roommate before dressing in assigned marathon uniform to head down to the line. He felt fantastic. Colin had been making jokes asking where District 9 was, mixing fandoms liberally with his sci-fi nerdery. But it had earned a smile and he'd asked Colin to go ahead and write 'District 9' like a tattoo down his thoracolumbar on his back in Sharpie to be beneath the requisite tank top.

At the line, with the other contestants, he bounced energetically between heel and ball of feet. Everyone else was so much smaller! But plenty looked just as fired up and it warmed his heart to see so many interested in supporting community and fitness. This was exactly what the city needed. He couldn't stop smiling. Had anyone else from Hillworth shown up? Hard to tell not in their plaids and whites. There was the call!

Setting down into a formal ready position, he spied the piles of objects in the distance. Riiiight...there'd been that bit about there being an obstacle course. He had no clue what sort of obstacles would be in the plan. He had a really high level of fitness, though, so he didn't think he'd need water or food any time soon. The blankets were way too tiny, and wouldn't really do much help for him against elements. Were they going to have to run through a street with ski-slope snow machines? That would be weird. Kinda cool. Or maybe giant heat lamps. Or maybe he was just being ridiculous.

Bandages or bungees? Either could be used to tie things open or shut at need. Or attach things. Wrap things. Bandages were less needful since he could just tear his tank into strips if he needed, right? So...bungees it was! If he could make it in time.

[d] bungee cord

Mathias had made his way to the starting line quickly, already on edge for what was promising to be a rather fun and potentially high-energy day for him. Stretching at the line, he geared himself up and started to mentally prepare. You had to be quick on your feet in events like these, and as he looked around the crowd, he was sure he was in for some stiff competition.

He figured his best bet was to snag bandages - they would prove to be a good barter item if someone got injured, plus they had other applications as well if you were savvy enough. Chewing his cheek for a moment, he weighed his decision one last time before committing.

Yeah - definitely bandages.

With that decided - he worked himself up mentally and got ready to go.

[c] Bandages

Newly adapted Space Shield blanket wrapped around him like a baby blankie, Dennis Terry decided it was time to just go for it. No risk, no reward, right? Anyway, he would rather go out in a blaze of glory (and perhaps a flurry of people falling around him first) then p***y out.

He wanted to win. Winners drove. Winners fought. Winners cheated and screamed. Winners took action.

With a hoot and a few arm flails designed to look almost innocent while he shoved his way into a pack of fellow racers, he drew his blanket around him and hurried forward. All he had to do was keep his eye on the prize, and let the others get themselves taken out of the competition. Or throw them into the line of fire himself, if it came to it.

[a] Sprint as fast as you can, trying to get out of range!

Akito Miyamoto was more than pleased with what he had, till he heard that mega phone, or more specifically the person speaking into it. Crap! They needed to dodge paint. A quick, real quick, glance about told him that the task of avoiding being hit with paint would not be easy. It really was looking like joining this event was a good idea, but right now he had to think on how to get away from this area without being paint spattered and thus - out. He didn't want to be out! Not this soon into the fun!

But he only had a water bottle and energy bars, and the count down had begun! Quickly he set off running as fast as he could, moving around others, and hoping to put people between himself and the paint filled guns - let them get hit rather than himself. Jumping over a fallen body he ducked his head, wanting to keep low and behind other people, as he dashed toward safety.

[a] Sprint as fast as you can, trying to get out of range!

Destiny didn't have much of a chance to think about her choice but at least she got what she wanted. When the volunteers came out and threatened to get paint all over her she frowned. OH HELL NO! She didn't sign up for this s**t. She expected some sense of realism but Jesus! No way she was "dying" just as soon as race started.

She barely had time to react before the countdown was initiated. She'd be ruthless in her pursuit of safety, of course, and she used the confusion and carnage to her advantage. She ducked low beneath the crowd and moved toward the outer fringes out of the range of the weapons. She didn't hesitate to use other people as human shields making sure her shirt was as blocked by other bodies, bushes, trees, etc as she could have it.

Bandages weren't exactly helpful in this situation but she made sure to stuff them into the waistband of her shorts to make sure they were safely tucked away. She wasn't taking any chances at the beginning of the race.

Crouch low and use the cover to run through the course! It’s a little slower, but safer, no?

********. Now Rowan knew what the space blankets were for. This just made her increasingly nervous about what could involve bungee cords... But she could worry about that later. For now she had to get out of the line of fire.

Oh well. This could have been worse, she supposed. The ammo could have been water. She thanked the stars above she was not wearing white.

Crouch low and use the cover to run through the course! It's a little slower, but safer, no?

Mathias wasn't quite keen on getting hit with paint - not that he wasn't used to having it on his body or anything - he just wanted to win this race - or at least get as close to victory as he could. Wrapping his fingers tight around his bandages, he decided it'd be best to use cover if they were going to fill the air with paint.

His father would be so proud to know he'd listened to his suggestions of what to do if he ever got shot at.

Just probably not as proud as he would have been if he were... actually getting shot at.

Ducking low, he moved for the nearest cover - hoping to avoid "death."

Crouch low and use the cover to run through the course! It's a little slower, but safer, no?

As he scrambled away from the pack proudly holding onto his bungee cords he took a moment to scan the crowd. All those spectators cheering on their friends and family. The only one who would be cheering for him was his little sister if she was here and he could just imagine how "Go Ernest, Go!" would quickly be drowned out by the giggles and laughter of those around him.

"Bah." Ernest.... or rather Dev as he would prefer to be called, cleared his head and turned back around just in time to catch the race coordinators give the rules for the next part of the game before the race was truly on.

That moment of inattention coupled with the fact that it took him a moment to register the new challenge to this race made him slightly slower off the block then he would have preferred to be. Racing straight through would not be an option but the lady didn't say nothing about usig' the things around them.

Dodging the pain and the other racers Dev dived for a barrel. Taking it down with him behind a few sand bags. If your shirt is hit... With a smile he upturned the barrel, shrugged out of his shirt, and with the barrel over his upper body, his shirt held in his shielded head he slowly made his way through the course doing his best to remain behind the other cover and runners. The visibility was poor, he could only see what was around his feet when he was on the move, but so fare so good. Who cared if he looked like a demented turtle or snail as long as he made it past this part of the race. Could he keep his shirt dry?

B - Crouch low and use the cover to run through the course! It’s a little slower, but safer, no?