Tips for Handling the Spear Throw at Spartan Races

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A resident of Park Ridge, IL, Peter Hill is a sales engineer who graduated from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. A philanthropist who supports multiple nonprofit organizations in Park Ridge, IL, and beyond, Peter Hill also enjoys competitive sporting events such as the Spartan Races.

Nationwide competitions known for pushing people to the limits of their physical abilities, the Spartan Races feature a variety of challenges and obstacles that are hard for first-time competitors to master. If you are training for a Spartan Race, consider looking into tips about the obstacle challenges ahead of time to be better prepared to tackle these tests on the course.

For example, the Spartan Race spear throw is deceptively difficult. Participants must stand behind a barricade and throw a spear 20 to 30 feet into a target made of hay bales. If they don't sink the spear into the hay, they must do burpees before continuing with the race. Spartan coaches advise participants to obtain their own spears before the event to get a feel for throwing it before the big day. Also, competitors shouldn’t rush through the spear throw, but instead pause to take a few deep breaths when confronting this obstacle.

Before attempting the spear throw, Spartans should check the attached string to ensure it isn't caught on anything, and that it can move freely when the spear is thrown. Experienced throwers advise people to hold the spear in the center so the weight is balanced, and handle it like you are throwing a dart rather than a football.

Three Well-Known Poker Games

When not exceeding sales targets, experienced sales engineer Peter Hill is a frequent supporter of community programs serving Park Ridge, IL, and surrounding areas. When away from work, Peter Hill sharpens his poker playing skills. He is a two-time participant in the World Series of Poker, an annual tournament featuring some of the most accomplished poker players in the game.

While half of all World Series Poker games are played using Texas Hold’em rules, the tournament has also followed the regulations of other game varieties, including:

Razz - In contrast to Texas Hold’em, Razz players are attempting to build the lowest value hand. Players are dealt seven cards and select five to form the best hand. Aces are low, making Kings the highest value card and therefore the least desirable.

Seven Card Stud - Once the game of choice among professional poker players, seven card stud is considered a game of strategy. Players receive four cards face up and three face down. All bets usually have set limits, where players can only bet up to 25 percent of the limit to enter the deal.

Omaha - In this game, every player begins the round with four cards dealt face down. Players must then select two cards to make the best hand using five community cards. Unlike in Texas Hold’em, both cards must contribute to making the hand.

Peter Hill of Park Ridge, IL, Known for His Philanthropy and Athletics

With nearly two decades of experience in sales engineering, Peter Hill resides in Park Ridge, IL, where he pursues a diverse range of philanthropic efforts and hobbies alongside his career. He has taken a significant role in startup charities such as the Lifted Foundation, which was established to empower women living in the Philippines. Peter Hill has also sponsored children in Haiti and Indonesia via Compassion International and led fundraisers for the Evans Scholars Foundation. Additionally, he contributes financially to numerous nonprofit organizations with national and international reach, including Homes For Our Troops, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the Make a Wish Foundation.

He has also become an active member in several local groups, including the Park Ridge Wilderness Scouts and Princesses and the community church. He also practiced mixed martial arts at the Degerberg Academy Of Martial Arts, where he earned his brown belt. A dedicated athlete who trains at Orangetheory Fitness, he regularly competes in Hustle Chicago, Spartan Race, and Tough Mudder events.

His other hobbies range from golfing to traveling. He also plays poker and has twice competed in the World Series of Poker.

Peter Hill - Fitness Enthusiast Residing in Park Ridge, IL

Peter Hill is a Park Ridge, IL, resident and graduate of New Trier High School, where he played varsity football and was a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. He also received the prestigious Evans Scholarship, which he used to attend the University of Illinois and earn a bachelor of science in chemical engineering. Since he graduated in 1999, Peter Hill has worked as a sales engineer.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Peter Hill is a fitness enthusiast who enjoys participating in Spartan Race and Tough Mudder events, as well as working out at Orangetheory Fitness and training in mixed martial arts at the Degerberg Academy of Martial Arts. He is also an avid card player who has twice competed in the World Series of Poker.

In addition to his support for several local charities and civic institutions, his philanthropic endeavors include other nationwide nonprofits. In the past, he has contributed to a variety of groups and initiatives, including the Lou Malnati Cancer Research Fund, the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE, the Lifted Foundation, and the Alzheimer's Association.