Rogue Invitational Live Blog – Day 1

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By: Ben Garves, Senior Editor


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Amanda.25 – Elite Individual Event 4

6:50 PM – Welp, we’re all sad to face it. The first day of the Rogue Invitational has come to a close. Join us tomorrow for more live blogging. Thanks for reading!

6:49 PM – Sara Sigmundsottir is edged out by Kristin Holte on her last rep. She takes third.

6:49 PM – Tia-Clair Toomey is about to finish. Still with a 3-4 rep lead. She wins Amanda.25.

Tia-Clair Toomey finishes her set of three squat snatches. She went on to win the event.
Tia-Clair Toomey finishes her set of three squat snatches. She went on to win the event.

6:47 PM – Toomey maintains a three-rep lead over Sara Sigmundsdottir as she completes her set of five squat snatches.

Tia-Clair Toomey has immaculate form in her unbroken ring muscle-ups.
Tia-Clair Toomey has immaculate form in her unbroken ring muscle-ups.

6:45 PM – Headed into the second set of ring muscle-ups, Tia Toomey, Sara Sigmundsdottir, and Kristin Holte lead.

6:44 PM – And the final event of the day has started. Early lead goes to Kristin Holte and Sara Sigmundsdottir.

6:43 PM – So many great athletes taking the floor. I don’t know where to start. Tia-Clair Toomey leads heading into the event.

6:42 PM – Ladies and gentlemen, please hold as the floor is reset for the second and final heat of elite women today.

6:39 PM – Feeroozeh Saghafi leads the pack with a three-rep lead. She wins the heat with a time of 4:42.93.

Brooke Haas in a tie dyed shirt works through her squat snatches.
Brooke Haas in a tie dyed shirt works through her squat snatches.

6:35 PM – Heat 1 of elite women are off.

6:29 PM – Staff are rolling the mens’ weights off the floor.

6:27 PM – This may be the first time Mat Fraser hasn’t led the competition after the first day since 2016.

6:26 PM – And that’s it. The men have finished their first day of competition. Stay tuned for the elite women shortly. Patrick Vellner tops the leaderboard at the end of Day 1.

6:25 PM – Fraser is on his last rep of each movement and wins the event at 3:31.74. He’s followed by Patrick Vellner at 3:36.27 and Cole Sager at 3:42.48.

6:24 PM – Mat Fraser has a three-rep lead over Patrick Vellner and Cole Sager headed into his round of three muscle-ups.

Mathew Fraser and Patrick Vellner head back to the bar for their round of seven squat snatches.
Mathew Fraser and Patrick Vellner head back to the bar for their round of seven squat snatches.

6:22 PM – The first athlete off the ring muscle-ups is Mat Fraser, followed by Lukas Hogberg and Patrick Vellner. Hogberg gets a no-rep on his first attempt.

6:21 PM – The final heat of men has started on the first day of competition at the 2019 Rogue Invitational.

6:20 PM – The announcers give the athletes a one-minute warning.

6:18 PM – Volunteers are resetting the floor for the second heat of elite men. We’re watching for Patrick Vellner to continue dominance, Mat Fraser to try to take the lead, and how Chandler Smith’s time compares.

6:17 PM – Chandler Smith wins his heat with a time to beat of 4:01.

6:15 PM – Smith is back for his round of three muscle ups and squat snatches.

6:14 PM – With absolutely no hesitancy between events, Chandler Smith is headed into his set of five muscle-ups. He has a one rep lead over Mertens and Berman. Fourth place is Streat Hoerner.

6:13 PM – The first heat of elite men has started. Chandler Smith is the heat favorite.

6:11 PM – As we head into the last event of the day, Patrick Vellner has a thirty-point lead over 2018 CrossFit Games Champion Mat Fraser.

The Rogue Invitational leaderboard going into event 4.
The Rogue Invitational leaderboard going into event 4.

5:59 PM – The floor is being reset for the elite individual men. This will be as close as Mat Fraser and Rich Froning have come to competing against each other as individuals since Froning defeated Fraser in 2014.

Rogue Record Breakers – Dumbbell Press

Kristin Rhodes sets a record for overhead press with 175-lbs on her second attempt.

5:48 PM – Rhodes gets the weight up but can’t lock out on her first attempt.

5:46 PM – A 175-lb dumbbell is being rolled out so Kristin Rhodes can attempt to break her own new record.

5:45 PM – Kristin Rhodes tosses the weight overhead and wins $5,000.

5:44 PM – The first athlete could not get the weight overhead. Second athlete is on her way to the floor. Kristin Rhodes has eight strongwoman titles.

5:38 PM – Taking the floor at 5:45 PM will be a Rogue Record Breakers event. It looks to be setting a record for an overhead dumbbell press. They’ll be trying for 170-lbs.

Amanda – Legends Event 2

Some of the best athletes of all time joined each other on the floor for the Rogue Invitational Legends event.
Some of the best athletes of all time joined each other on the floor for the Rogue Invitational Legends event.
Rich Froning's Amanda time at the Rogue Invitational.
Rich Froning’s Amanda time at the Rogue Invitational.

5:28 PM – Rich Froning wins, followed by Dan Bailey. Froning’s time is a blazing 2:52.33. Let’s see how this compares with Mat Fraser’s Amanda.25 time in the later Elite Individual Men’s heat. Froning walked casually across the finish line, so let’s keep that in mind when comparing.

An image everyone is used to - Rich Froning well ahead of the pack. He wins the Rogue Invitational Legends Amanda event.
An image everyone is used to – Rich Froning well ahead of the pack. He wins the Rogue Invitational Legends Amanda event.

5:28 PM – I’m calling this right now. There is no way any of these guys are going to catch Rich Froning. Jason Khalipa and Dan Bailey are three reps back.

5:27 PM – Froning is in first, with Bailey, Holmberg, and Khalipa in close tow.

Rich Froning and Jason Khalipa are going head-to-head on the ring muscle-ups.
Rich Froning and Jason Khalipa are going head-to-head on the ring muscle-ups.

5:24 PM – Mikko Salo and Josh Everett will be scaling this event to accommodate injuries. Rich Froning hasn’t taken the floor as an individual since 2014. He has his old headband on.

5:22 PM – Chris Spealler, Matt Chan, and Dan Bailey are cheered onto the floor.

5:21 PM – It is confirmed! Rich Froning, four-time individual champion and three-time team champion is competing in the Legends Amanda event. He’s followed by 2008 champion Jason Khalipa.

5:21 PM – Graham Holmberg and Josh Everett take the floor.

5:20 PM – Mikko Salo and Tommy Hackenbruck take the floor.

A screenshot from the Rogue Invitational montage introducing their male Legends athletes.
A screenshot from the Rogue Invitational montage introducing their male Legends athletes.

5:17 PM – We’re seeing about 15,000 viewers on the YouTube live stream, 2,500 on Facebook. These numbers are gigantic when compared to previous Sanctional events.

5:07 PM – Weights are being added for the male Legends event. I believe Rich Froning will be joining in on this.

The female Legends join Rory McKernan on the floor after Amanda.
The female Legends join Rory McKernan on the floor after Amanda.

5:07 PM – Kristan Clever finishes only one second behind her 2010 winning CrossFit Amanda benchmark time.

5:06 PM – Annie Sakamoto finishes second, with Becca Voigt Miller only two reps back.

5:04 PM – Briggs won’t slow down. She’s on her last set of squat snatch with only 3:18 on the clock.

Sam Briggs returns to the bar for her second set of squat snatches at the Rogue Invitational.
Sam Briggs returns to the bar for her second set of squat snatches at the Rogue Invitational.

5:03 PM – Samantha Briggs is the first back to the ring muscle-ups.

5:02 PM – The first legend group is underway. Annie Sakamoto and Sam Briggs are the first off the ring muscle-ups.

Rory McKernan introduces the history of Amanda at the CrossFit Games. Kristan Clever won the event in 2010.
Rory McKernan introduces the history of Amanda at the CrossFit Games. Kristan Clever won the event in 2010.

4:57 PM – 2010 champion Kristan Clever and multi-Games athlete Dr. Julie Foucher join other athletes on the floor. Becca Voigt follows.

4:57 PM – Tanya Wagner and Samantha Briggs are introduced. Both former champions.

4:55 PM – Legends are taking the floor. Rogue put together one heck of a montage. Annie Sakamoto and Christy Phillips Adkins take the floor.

4:50 PM – Correction. Only the elite individuals will be completing Amanda.25. Legends athletes will start at 5:00 PM(ish) Central with regular Amanda. The first heat will be the female Legends.

4:25 PM – The fifth event of the Rogue Invitational will be Amanda.25.

This twist on the classic CrossFit benchmark Amanda workout adds two additional rounds for a total of 25 reps in each movement. Athletes will complete 9, 7, 5, 3, 1 rounds for time of:

  • Ring Muscle-Ups
  • Squat Snatch at 135-lbs for men and 95-lbs for women

Rogue Invitational Event 3

4:29 PM – One of the best stories to follow of the Rogue Invitational is Kaitlyn Meade of CrossFit Balance. Elizabeth Perry of the official team was injured and Meade was subbed in to replace her. She was not a formal athlete before this, but is now a crowd favorite. Athletes and fans alike are rallying around her attempts to complete the heavy snatches. She completes four with some of the best coaches and athletes pushing her through.

Kaitlyn Meade of CrossFit Balance steps in co complete four incredible heavy snatches well above her best weights.
Kaitlyn Meade of CrossFit Balance steps in co complete four incredible heavy snatches well above her best weights.

4:21 PM – With 11:30 on the clock, CrossFit Mayhem Freedom falls behind CrossFit Invictus Back Bay, which finishes first in the event. This will help them close the gap on Team OC3, and put them a little big closer to qualifying for the CrossFit Games 2019 championship.

Camille Leblanc-Bazinet finishes her last snatch in event 3 of the Rogue Invitational team event.
Camille Leblanc-Bazinet finishes her last snatch in event 3 of the Rogue Invitational team event.
Chyna Cho and Rich Froning celebrate as the first two athletes to finish their half of the third team event at the Rogue Invitational.
Chyna Cho and Rich Froning celebrate as the first two athletes to finish their half of the third team event at the Rogue Invitational.

4:16 PM – Mayhem Freedom has moved on to their heavy snatches.

Rich Froning (left) is partnered with Chyna Cho on CrossFit Mayhem Freedom's set of thrusters.
Rich Froning (left) is partnered with Chyna Cho on CrossFit Mayhem Freedom’s set of thrusters.

4:10 PM – The Team Chipper has begun! Athletes start with ring muscle-ups.

3:44 PM – Next up will be team event 3.

3:41 PM – Official Scores are Sara Sigmundsdottir, Tia-Clair Toomey, then Annie Thorisdottir.

3:40 PM – Sara Sigmundsdottir shows no quit. She is half-way into her double-kettlebell overhead walking lunges. Tia-Clair Toomey has yet to start her lunges in second place.

Sara Sigmundsdottir is maintaining a ten-rep lead over Annie Thorisdottir. Tia-Clair Toomey is close to passing Thorisdottir.
Sara Sigmundsdottir is maintaining a ten-rep lead over Annie Thorisdottir. Tia-Clair Toomey is close to passing Thorisdottir.

3:36 PM – Sigmundsdottir has moved on to the box jump-overs. She takes no break and moves straight over the box.

3:35 PM – Tia-Clair Toomey has come from nowhere and passed Laura Horvath to take the third position. Sara Sigmundsdottir has a three-rep lead on Annie Thorisdottir.

3:34 PM – We’re currently CrossFit Dottir vs. CrossFit Dottir. Sara Sigmundsdottir and Annie Thorisdottir are side-by-side headed into their GHD sit-ups.

3:33 PM – Laura Horvath is clearly faster than most athletes at these wall balls. She’s closed the distance to Annie Thorisdottir and is now only six reps back.

3:32 PM – Sara Sigmundsdottir and Laura Horvath are right behind. They look to be about two reps back.

3:32 PM – Annie Thorisdottir is the first athlete to the wall balls, followed closely by Katrin Davidsdottir.

3:30 PM – We’re currently in a four-way tie for event leadership between Annie Thorisdottir, Katrin Davidsdottir, Laura Horvath, and Sara Sigmundsdottir. Brooke Wells is ten calories back.

Katrin Davidsdottir working through the rowing portion of the Chipper event at the Rogue Invitational.
Katrin Davidsdottir working through the rowing portion of the Chipper event at the Rogue Invitational.

3:28 PM – In the second heat of women, we’re watching Annie Thorisdottir, Laura Hovath, and Brooke Wells all tied at 30 calories.

3:20 PM – Second place is taken by Karine Shrum, followed a few reps by Feeroozeh Saghafi and Rachel Garibay. Garibay almost overtook Saghafi.

The first heat is won by Dani Speegle. The time to beat for the Rogue Invitational chipper is now 15:24.63.
The first heat is won by Dani Speegle. The time to beat for the Rogue Invitational chipper is now 15:24.63.

3:17 PM – We’re watching Dani Speegle chalk up for the double kettlebell overhead walking lunches. Karine Shrum is a few lunge segments behind Speegle.

3:16 PM – Speegle is looking un-catchable in this heat. Second place has turned into a battle between Karine Shrum and Feeroozeh Saghafi. Rachel Garibay is 21 reps back.

Dani Speegle on the first rep of chipper box jump-over movement.
Dani Speegle on the first rep of chipper box jump-over movement.

3:14 PM – Speegle is nine reps away from her box jump-overs.

Karine Shrum and Dani Speegle complete their GHD sit-ups at the Rogue Invitational.
Karine Shrum and Dani Speegle complete their GHD sit-ups at the Rogue Invitational.

3:12 PM – Dani Speegle, with a 14-rep lead, heads to her GHD sit-ups.

Rachel Garibay completing her wall balls in the first heat.
Rachel Garibay completing her wall balls in the first heat.

3:08 PM – Dani Speegle is the lone athlete on the wall balls, later joined by Karine Shrum.

3:07 PM – By the 70th calorie, Dani Speegle has taken the lead, ten calories ahead of Karine Shrum.

3:04 PM – The first heat of women have started. The first athlete to ten calories on the rower is Karine Shrum, followed by Brooke Hass and Lauren Suever.

2:53 PM – The floor is being reset for the first heat of elite individual women.

2:52 PM – Ben Smith crosses the finish line. He’s facing a big hole he’ll have to overcome to close the distance between himself an Chandler Smith.

2:50 PM – Cole Sager wins the heat to take third overall. Second is Matt Fraser, followed by Patrick Vellner.

2:48 PM – Mat Fraser goes unbroken to pass Patrick Vellner, but no-reps and has to go back. He was close to catching Cole Sager.

Mat Fraser overtakes Patrick Vellner on the last segment of the Chipper.
Mat Fraser overtakes Patrick Vellner on the last segment of the Chipper.

2:47 PM – Cole Sager is chalking up his hands for his double overhead kettlebell walking lunges.

2:46 PM – Scott Panchik moves up to fifth places, about 8 reps behind Cole Sager in first place. Mathew Fraser pulls ahead to 3rd place, one rep short of Patrick Vellner.

2:45 PM – Cole Sager and Patrick Vellner take the lead, with Sager slightly ahead. Lukas Hogberg and Willy Georges are right behind. They’re headed into their box jump-overs. This is a movement Vellner REALLY excels at.

2:44 PM – Ben Smith is definitely not tearing through these GHD sit-ups like Chandler Smith was in the first heat. You have to wonder if this leg-intensive event is eating away at his knee recovery.

2:43 PM – We’re watching Travis Mayer take to the GHD sit-ups. Cole Sager, Willy Georges, Lukas Hogberg, and Patrick Vellner are right behind him.

2:42 PM – Mayer hits his 40th wall ball, still in the lead. Lukas Hogberg is ten reps back, tied with Cole Sager.

2:39 PM – Travis Mayer is the first athlete to the wall balls, passing Ben Smith. Remember, smith just needs to outperform Chandler Smith this weekend to gain a ticket to the CrossFit Games. He’d quality for his eleventh-straight year.

Travis Mayer (right) passes Ben Smith about 85 calories into the row portion of the Chipper.
Travis Mayer (right) passes Ben Smith about 85 calories into the row portion of the Chipper.

2:37 PM – Ben Smith leads with his first forty calories completed on the rower.

2:35 PM – The men are off. Ben Smith really looking to make a comeback on Chandler Smith in this event.

Ben Smith stepping up to the floor for the third event of the Rogue Invitational.
Ben Smith stepping up to the floor for the third event of the Rogue Invitational.

2:34 PM – The second heat of male individual athletes are taking the field for the third event of the Rogue Invitational.

2:26 PM – Hoerner wins the heat, with Chandler Smith close behind. The time to beat is 12:19:12. Casper Gammelmark is in third, but is still on his box jump-overs.

2:24 PM – Streat Hoerner is the first athlete to the double-kettlebell overhead walking lunges.

2:22 PM – It’s worth noting these are not contemporary box jumps. Athletes have to fully-clear the box. You cannot touch your feet to the box.

Chandler Smith and Streat Hoerner complete their box jump-overs.
Chandler Smith and Streat Hoerner complete their box jump-overs.

2:21 PM – Chandler Smith, provoking the crowd, is seemingly hitting turbo-mode on his GHD sit-ups. He has passed Streat Hoerner and Casper Gammelmark to get into his box jump overs.

Casper Gammelmark and Streat Hoerner are the first athletes iinto their GHD sit-ups, followed by Chandler Smith.
Casper Gammelmark and Streat Hoerner are the first athletes iinto their GHD sit-ups, followed by Chandler Smith.

2:18 PM – Gammelmark has a three-rep lead over Streat Hoerner and a 14-rep lead over third place Chandler Smith.

2:16 PM – Casper Gammelmark is the first athlete to move on to his wall balls.

The first heat of the Chipper event at the Rogue Invitational is led by Casper Gammelmark, followed by Streat Hoerner and Adrian Mundwiler.
The first heat of the Chipper event at the Rogue Invitational is led by Casper Gammelmark, followed by Streat Hoerner and Adrian Mundwiler.

2:12 PM – Men have started into their first 100-calorie row in the first heat of The Chipper.

2:05 PM – The third event is simply called “The Chipper”. It will involve athletes completing: a 100-calorie row, followed by 80 wall balls at 20-lbs for men and 14-lbs for women. Athletes will then perform 60 glute-ham destroyer (GHD) sit-ups and 40 box jump-overs. Box jumps will be a 24-inch box for men and a 20-inch box for women. Finally, athletes will complete a 96-foot overhead walking lunge with double kettlebells. Kettlebell weights will be 1.5 Pood (53-lbs) for men and 1 Pood (35-lbs) for women.

2:04 PM – The stream is set to start in five minutes for the third individual event of the Rogue Invitational.

Rogue Invitational Team Event 2

1:01 PM – CrossFit OC3 wins their second event! CrossFit Mayhem Freedom cross second, with team Don’t Stop having about ten reps left to finish.

12:59 PM – Mayhem Freedom and OC3 are headed into their final set of deadlifts. Chyna Cho and Tasia Percevecz have slowed down, giving OC3 a window to take back-to-back event wins.

12:57 PM – CrossFit Mayhem Freedom is now tied with CrossFit OC3. Third place is CrossFit Invictus Back Bay, with a seven-rep deficit.

All four CrossFit Mayhem teams work through their burpee pull-ups. Chyna Cho and Tasia Percevecz on the left, Ellie Kabboord and Kristin Miller on the right.
All four CrossFit Mayhem teams work through their burpee pull-ups. Chyna Cho and Tasia Percevecz on the left, Ellie Kabboord and Kristin Miller on the right.

12:52 PM – Cho and Percevecz waste no time stripping their bars down to 225-lbs and starting into their first set of deadlifts. The time these teams spend training together really pays off here.

12:51 PM – Froning and Strohm waste no time with their final set of deadlifts. They’ll finish with nine burpee pull-ups. Chyna Cho and Tasia Percevecz are in the wings, waiting on their reps.

12:49 PM – Dre Strohm and Rich Froning are already on the set of fifteen burpee pull-ups. Followed two reps behind by CrossFit Mayhem Independence.

12:48 PM – Mayhem Freedom is first back to the bar for deadlifts.

CrossFit Mayhem Freedom and Team Don't Stop from Misfit Athletics lead headed into the synchronized burpee pull-ups.
CrossFit Mayhem Freedom and Team Don’t Stop from Misfit Athletics lead headed into the synchronized burpee pull-ups.

12:44 PM – Teams have taken the floor for the second team event. This will be a similar workout, but breaking teams into pairs. They’ll do synchronized deadlifts and burpee pull-ups.

12:27 PM – The stadium is being prepared for the second team event at the Rogue Invitational. Details to come soon!

Individual Event 2: The Mule

Annie Thorisdottir discusses her event win with Rory McKernan at the Rogue Invitational.
Annie Thorisdottir discusses her event win with Rory McKernan at the Rogue Invitational.

12:22 PM – Tia-Clair Toomey finishes fourth, followed closely by 2015 and 2016 CrossFit Games champion Katrin Davidsdottir.

12:21 PM – Brooke Wells notable won her first Open event this year and her first CrossFit Games event win in 2018. Thorisdottir takes first, Wells takes second, and third place is Sarah Sigmundsdottir.

12:20 PM – Thorisdottir has a three-rep lead over second-place Brooke Wells.

Annie Thorisdottir leads the heat back to the final set of deadlifts.
Annie Thorisdottir leads the heat back to the final set of deadlifts.

12:18 PM – The answer is: both Thorisdottir and Sigmundsottir. We’ll see if Tommey’s choice to take a break pays off later in the event.

12:17 PM – We are down to a three-way tie between Tia Toomey, Sara Sigmundsdottir, and Annie Thorisdottir. Who will go unbroken?

12:16 PM – So much excitement as the first heat has a nearly five-way tie headed back into the deadlift. Everyone in this heat has qualified for the CrossFit Games except for Laura Horvath.

12:15 PM – Final heat is off! We’re watching just about everyone. Annie Thoristdottir, Brooke Wells, Sara Sigmundsdottir, Tia-Clair Toomey, Laura Horvath…

12:12 PM – Floor being reset for the heat of top elite women.

12:09 PM – These pull-ups just remind me that we have to do Murph next weekend for Memorial Day.

12:07 PM – First place in heat one is Dani Speegle, followed by Karine Shrum and Feeroozeh Saghafi.

12:06 PM – Speegle demolishes the final nine deadlifts and heads right back to the burpee pull-ups.

12:05 PM – If you haven’t been following, Dani Speegle (still leading the heat) has been on a rampage this year. Formerly never making it out of CrossFit Regionals, she has been at nearly every significant sanctional event this year. She has also already qualified for the CrossFit Games through the 2019 CrossFit Open.

The first head of elite women take on the deadlifts in Event 2: The Mule.
The first head of elite women take on the deadlifts in Event 2: The Mule.

12:03 PM – Speegle is leading, only one rep ahead of Shrum and Haas. She heads to her deadlifts.

12:01 PM – The first athlete to the pull-ups burpee pull-ups is Brooke Haas. Worth noting women are using the same height of pull-up bar as the men. They have a much higher jump.

12:00 PM – Women have taken the floor for the first heat of women. The group will be led by Dani Speegle.

11:48 AM – Rogue Invitational event staff will reset the floor for the first heat of elite women to take the field for event 2.

11:46 AM – Ben Smith is still at his final set of deadlifts. More information to come, but he may be feeling the affects of recovery from his recent knee surgery.

11:45 AM – Vellner speeds up drastically and passes Fraser. Mat Fraser gets a no-rep on his final burpee pull-up and loses the round.

11:44 AM – Mat Fraser and Patrick Vellner are tied heading back into their final set of burpee pull-ups.

11:43 AM – Vellner and Fraser continue to dominate the field, back to their final set of deadlifts.

Mathew Fraser is first back to the bar for his second set of deadlifts.
Mathew Fraser is first back to the bar for his second set of deadlifts.

11:40 AM – The second and final heat is off. This has the top male athletes of the day. First athlete to the burpee pull-ups is Mat Fraser, followed by Patrick Vellner.

11:34 AM – Five minutes and 28 seconds is the time to beat (Chandler Smith) from the first heat. The floor is being reset for the second heat.

11:30 AM – It looks (and yes, it’s early) like the competition for the CrossFit Games 2019 qualifying spot will be a battle between Ben Smith and Chandler Smith. The battle of the Smiths.

11:29 AM – Chandler Smith continues his lead in the heat. He’s through 70 of his repetitions and headed back to the deadlifts shortly.

Chandler Smith leads heading back into the second set of deadlifts.
Chandler Smith leads heading back into the second set of deadlifts.

11:26 AM – Chandler Smith is leading the heat, but is slowing down on the burpee pull-ups. 91 total reps are completed through the duration of this workout.

11:25 AM – The first heat of men has started The Mule.

11:08 AM – Rogue Invitational staff are prepping the stadium for the second event of the day. Called “The Mule”, this is a couplet. Athletes will alternate deadlifts and burpee pull-ups in sets of 21, 15, and 9. Deadlifts will be at a weight of 315-lbs for men and 225-lbs for women.

Individual Event 1: GoRuck Challenge

10:55 AM – Graham Holmberg finishes in first place for the men, but only after Sam Briggs and Becca Voigt take first and second for the women.

Graham Holmberg takes first in the Legends GoRuck event at the Rogue Invitational.
Graham Holmberg takes first in the Legends GoRuck event at the Rogue Invitational.
Becca Voight leads the Legends GoRuck, followed by Graham Holmberg in second and Jason Khalipa in third.
Becca Voight leads the Legends GoRuck, followed by Graham Holmberg in second and Jason Khalipa in third.

10:46 AM – The first athlete to the run is Becca Voigt, followed by Jason Khalipa.

10:44 AM – Legends athletes take off to their rope climbs. Athletes had an option to not climb with their GoRuck bags, but it looks like they’ll all keep theirs on.

10:40 AM – Quote of the day. “GoRuck, you can have your bag back. I don’t want to play with your toys anymore.” Bill Grundler.

10:33 AM – Legends were set to start the GoRuck event at 10:30. Looks like this will be pushed 15-20 minutes.

10:28 AM – Kristin Holte passes Tia-Clair Toomey headed into the stadium. Toomey passes Holte on the bag drag. Sara Sigmundsdottir locks up third place, followed by Annie Thorisdottir and Laura Horvath.

Kristin Holte passes Tia-Clair Toomey headed into the stadium for the bag drag.
Kristin Holte passes Tia-Clair Toomey headed into the stadium for the bag drag.

10:21 AM – Tia Toomey leads, followed by two of the CrossFit Dottirs. Annie Thorisdottir in second, Sarah Sigmundsdottir in third.

10:18 AMTia-Clair Toomey and Laura Horvath are the first women to complete their rope climbs. They are joined quickly by Annie Thorisdottir on the half-mile run.

10:17 AM – Women have started into their three rope climbs. They are wearing 20-lb GoRuck bags.

10:02 AM – Top finishers are Mat Fraser in first place, followed by Patrick Vellner, then Cole Sager in third.

10:01 AM – Athletes start to drop their bags headed into the stadium. Fraser passes Lukas Hogberg but also has to drop his bag. Cole Sager and Vellner both pass Hogberg.

Lukas Hogberg drops his bag and is passed by Mathew Fraser at the GoRuck event of the Rogue Invitational
Lukas Hogberg drops his bag and is passed by Mathew Fraser at the GoRuck event of the Rogue Invitational

10:00 AM – Fraser and Hogberg have quite the lead over Vellner, in third. Mathew Fraser is wearing down at Hogberg’s lead.

9:56 AM – Leaders are Hogberg – Vellner – Fraser. Lukas Hogberg picks of the wrong weight drag bag and has to go back for a new bag.

Lukas Hogberg, Mat Fraser, and Patrick Vellner picking up their drag bags for the final part of the GoRuck event.
Lukas Hogberg, Mat Fraser, and Patrick Vellner picking up their drag bags for the final part of the GoRuck event.

9:55 AM – Athletes have started tossing their sandbags over the hay berm. Patrick Vellner and Lukas Hogberg are leading.

9:52 AM – Men are already done with the rope climbs and have headed into the run. Chandler Smith takes a surprise lead. Patrick Vellner is in second.

9:49 AM – No more jokes. Mat Faser took the field. Sh*t just got serious.

9:47 AM – Not to belittle the event staff, because we can only imagine how much work they’re putting in. But. Someone in the TV truck is pushing #ALLOFTHEBUTTONS.

9:44 AM – Yes. This event was supposed to start at 9:30. We’re definitely seeing some technical difficulties on the live stream, but can confirm the individual elite male athletes have not started yet.

9:30 AM – The first event of the Rogue Invitational schedule is called “GoRuck”, named after GoRuck weighted backpacks. You can check out their 5.11 Tactical competitors here. It involves a half-mile-long course with a 30-lb backpack for men and a 20-lb backpack for women. Athletes will complete three rope climbs, followed by a half-mile run. They will then complete a sandbag-to-shelf event, another mile run, then and drag a heavy sand bag across the distance of the stadium floor.

9:26 AM – Headed into a quick break as event staff at the Rogue Invitational reset the floor from the GoRuck team event and get it ready for the GoRuck individual events.

Rogue Invitational Team Event 1: GoRuck

9:21 AM – Team OC3 wins the event, with CrossFit Mayhem Freedom in second and CrossFit Balance in third.

9:19 AM – Team OC3 is the first team into the stadium for the final sand bag drag portion of this event.

OC3 wins the event after being the first into the stadium.
OC3 wins the event after being the first into the stadium.

9:15 AM – To provide some context – these carts are pretty rickety. The left and right support beams don’t have much structural rigidity. This is Team OC3 with a hefty lead.

Team OC3 leading the Rogue Invitational GoRuck event. Image courtesy of the Rogue Invitational live stream.
Team OC3 leading the Rogue Invitational GoRuck event. Image courtesy of the Rogue Invitational live stream.

9:13 AM – Team OC3 is still in the lead, with Rich Froning’s CrossFit Mayhem Freedom close behind.

9:08 AM – We’re seeing a couple different strategies with this cart. Some are relying on athletes pulling, some pushing. The general determination seems to be two athletes pulling and one pushing while the fourth rests.

9:06 AM – Bag weights are two 125-lb bags and two 75-lb bags. Team OC3 is in the lead.

9:05 AM – Teams then make their way to a cart they have to make for carrying weighted sand bags.

9:02 AM – The GoRuck event starts by requiring teams to climb two rope climbs per athlete with a weighted GoRuck vest. Those 30-lb/20-lb packs are similar to these from 5.11 Tactical.

Rogue Invitational – Opening Ceremony

8:59 AM – Bill Grundler reminds us we have 13 of the 16 all-time CrossFit Games champions here competing today. Also. Bill Grundler grew hair. Lots of hair.

8:58 AM – And so starts the epic intro video featuring all the amazing athletes we’re going to see today. Latest update on Rich Froning is that he’ll participate in all team events and about half of the Legends events.

8:50 AM – This event brings back a fan-favorite commentator from the CrossFit Games: Shawn Woodland. It’s worth noting you can hear Woodland on the live stream talking about a burning smell. Things are off to a swimming start. Minus the swimming.

8:50 AM – The Patriot Parachuting Team jumps kicks things off with a star-spangled grand entry.

Today’s Schedule

For more details, check out our breakdown of the Rogue Invitational schedule, events, and workouts.

DateTimeLocationEvent
Saturday, May 188:30 AMGates Open
Saturday, May 189:40 AMOutsideOpening Ceremony
Saturday, May 1810:00 AMOutsideGoRuck – Team
Saturday, May 1810:30 AMOutsideGoRuck – Individual Men
Saturday, May 1811:00 AMOutsideGoRuck – individual Women
Saturday, May 1811:30 AMOutsideGoRuck – Legends
Saturday, May 1812:15 PMOutsideIndividual Event 2 – Men
Saturday, May 181:15 PMOutsideIndividual Event 2 – Women
Saturday, May 182:15 PMOutsideTeam Event 2
Saturday, May 182:45 PMOutsideRogue Record Breakers
Saturday, May 182:45 PMInside Opens
Saturday, May 184:00 PMInsideIndividual Event 3 – Men
Saturday, May 185:00 PMInsideIndividual Event 3 – Women
Saturday, May 186:00 PMInsideTeam Event 3
Saturday, May 186:45 PMInsideLegends Event 2 – Women
Saturday, May 187:15 PMInsideLegends Event 2 – Men
Saturday, May 187:15 PMInsideIndividual Event 4 – Men
Saturday, May 187:45 PMInsideRogue Record Breakers
Saturday, May 188:15 PMInsideIndividual Event 4 – Women

By Ben Garves

Ben Garves is a digital product expert, author, entertainer, and activist. His portfolio of thought leadership in digital marketing and web experiences has included major clients like Microsoft, Google, Twitter, eBay, and Facebook. He’s also a freelance health and fitness journalist with over 400 stories written since 2018, a podcaster with 200 episodes to his name, and runs a YouTube channel with over 100 fitness and activism-oriented videos and live streams. Ben has founded the Fitness is for Everyone™ initiative to raise awareness about social injustice in both racial inequality and socioeconomic disparity in access to quality fitness and nutrition options around the globe.

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