3rd Annual Gladiator Rock'n Run at Joseph Grant Memorial Park, Today

The 3rd annual Gladiator Rock'n Run returns to Joseph D. Grant Memorial Park in San Jose, CA on Saturday, June 28 with a NEW extreme 6k, 17- obstacle challenge created by former American Gladiator Dan "Nitro" Clark. The new obstacle course will challenge men and women of all ages as they battle through fire, ice, mud and more in their quest to become the ultimate gladiator. After the course is completed participates can then celebrate their conquests with a post-race celebration filled with music, beer and food. Proceeds from Gladiator Rock'n Run San Jose will benefit Talk About Curing Autism (TACA). The 3rd annual Gladiator Rock'n Run takes place at San Jose's Joseph D. Grant Memorial Park (18405 Mount Hamilton Rd. San Jose, CA 95140). Registration fee for Gladiator Rock'n Run San Jose ranges from $75 - $90. Participants will start the course in waves; first wave starts at 8:30a.m. Parking fee is $10 and is very limited - only car pools of 3-4 or more will be allowed to park on premises. Visit www.gladiatorrocknrun.com/event_june_28.html for full details or email info@gladiatorrocknrun.com .

"I'm very excited to bring Gladiator Rock'n Run to San Jose for a third year, and to continue my life's passion of putting America on the path to a happier and healthier life," said Dan Clark, Founder of Gladiator Rock'n Run. "My goal with creating this event was to give people an unforgettable fitness experience that was fun to do."

Gladiator Rock'n Run San Jose is a thrilling day where participants will conquer extreme obstacles and harsh terrain, then celebrate their conquests with a blowout post-race party. During the 3.5 mile course, participants will race through fiery flames in the Gladiator BBQ, blast through a waist-deep icy pool of water in the Polar Bear Plunge, and slither along on their bellies through a pit of mud in the Mud Madness Challenge. There are also two nightmare mystery obstacles, and many other thrilling challenges. Spectators are welcome to attend and cheer on their friends and family who are participating.

NEW for 2014: Dan Clark has added some new EXTREME obstacles that will challenge ones inner gladiator:

Stumped: Jump from stump to stump without getting dumped.

Ring My Bell: Climb up a 14ft. long hanging rope and ring a bell at the top.

Dumpster Dive: Climb up, over and out of a 8 ft. tall steal dumpster container.

The Beast: Release your inner beast and scale a monster 18 ft. wall covered in mud.

If the thought of a mud-slinging, fire-jumping obstacle course doesn't sound appealing, the after party probably will! The after party will include three bands, food, beer, and muddy Gladiator Rock'n Run participants will receive awards for the best times and costumes.

The Gladiator Rock'n Run benefits Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), an organization dedicated to educating, empowering and supporting families affected by autism. For families who have just received the autism diagnosis, TACA aims to speed up the cycle time from the autism diagnosis to effective treatments. Since 2011, Gladiator Rock'n Run has donated a total of $250,000 to TACA.

About Dan "Nitro" Clark

Dan "Nitro" Clark is an American athlete, television personality, actor, and producer. He is best known for his role as gladiator Nitro on the TV show American Gladiators. Clark began his career as an athlete, playing football for San Jose State University where he was a standout defensive lineman. He then went on to play briefly for the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, and in the Professional European League. Clark, a health and fitness expert, is best known from the game show American Gladiators, having worked on both the original version and the revival; from 1989-1992, and again in 1994-1995, he was the gladiator Nitro; during the original show's final season, he was the analyst and co-host for the show. In the 2008 revival, he was the coordinating producer for the show. The original series aired in over 40 countries, with reruns on USA Network, TNT, Spike, and airs currently on ESPN Classic. In 2009, Clark wrote his memoir "Gladiator: A True Story of 'Roids, Rage, and Redemption for Simon and Schuster." Currently, he created the national obstacle/adventure running series Gladiator Rock'n Run, where participants conquer extreme obstacles over miles of harsh terrain. Additional information is available at www.gladiatorrocknrun.com .

About Talk About Curing Autism (TACA)

Talk About Curing Autism (TACA) is a national non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating, empowering and supporting families affected by autism. For families who have just received the autism diagnosis, TACA aims to speed up the cycle time from the autism diagnosis to effective treatments. TACA helps to strengthen the autism community by connecting families and the professionals who can help them, allowing them to share stories and information to help improve the quality of life for people with autism. www.tacanow.org