ABOUT BARBER NATIONAL INSTITUTE

At Barber National Institute we provide hope and opportunity to children and adults with intellectual disabilities, behavioral health challenges and autism. The Barber Beast on the Bay is a signature event of Barber National Institute and is a visible example of our belief that all people must be afforded every opportunity to attain the greatest use of their potential.

Obstacle course races and mud runs have increased in popularity in the past decade. But there’s only one event in the country that has a one-mile adapted course for adults with intellectual disabilities and a finish line that coincides with the event’s 10-mile course so that the two courses meet up for a final obstacle and all participants cross the finish line together.

“The Beast on the Bay is a unique and fun experience, but it’s also a challenging long-distance athletic event. It’s not easy to finish. Inevitably, you start thinking about the special-needs adults and children who benefit from this fundraising event, and it helps you dig deep and push on,” says Dr. Brian Stark. “When the two courses merge- the 10-mile and the one-mile adapted course – suddenly the sweat, sand, fatigue and pain fade away. It’s then I remember how much Barber National Institute does and how much my participation matters.”