American Ninja Warrior 8's Block Run in Atlanta Qualifiers
The Block Run is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 8 in Atlanta.
Competitors must run across five tilted cubes on a horizontal pole that would roll and slide when the competitors stepped on them.
In its debut during Atlanta qualifiers, the Block Run obstacle was proven to be a minor threat, as only a few competitors such as Steven Brickhouse failed on the obstacle.
American Ninja Warrior 8's Block Run in Atlanta Finals
During Atlanta finals, the middle block was removed. While it didn't take out any competitors, many competitors did stumble on the obstacle.
Other Season Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior 9[]
American Ninja Warrior 9's Block Run in Los Angeles
The Block Run returned on American Ninja Warrior 9, as the fourth obstacle in Los Angeles. However, the number of blocks was increased to six and each block varied in size. This time, the obstacle took out several notable competitors, including Brian Kretsch, Ben Melick, Travis Brewer, and Selena Laniel. In the end, it eliminated 13 competitors during Los Angeles qualifiers. However, no competitor failed on this obstacle during Los Angeles finals.
Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day's Block Run
This version of the Block Run was attempted early during Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day. Unlike during the regular season though, none of the blocks were on an angle, thus making the obstacle slighlty easier. Among the 9 celebrity competitors who attempted the obstacle, only Natalie Morales and Nikki Glasser failed on it.
American Ninja Warrior 10[]
American Ninja Warrior 10's Block Run in Indianapolis
On American Ninja Warrior 10, the Block Run appeared as fourth obstacle in Indianapolis, and the obstacle remained unchanged from the previous season. Being featured in Indianapolis course, the obstacle coincidentally shared the qualifying course with the Cannonball Drop (during Indianapolis qualifiers) and Fly Wheels (during Indianapolis finals), in which those 3 obstacles were used in Los Angeles course on the previous season.
During Indianapolis qualifiers, the obstacle eliminated several top competitors once again, including Jody Avila, Brandon Mears, Josh Butler, Bill Westrick, Andrew Rowland, and Caleb Watson. It quickly became more dangerous than during the past two American Ninja Warrior seasons, as 19 competitors failed on it.
During Indianapolis finals, although only two competitors failed on the obstacle, the Block Run was responsible for sparking one of the biggest shocks of the season, and arguably in American Ninja Warrior history, as it had eliminated the first American Ninja Warrior champion, Isaac Caldiero, from the competition. This ultimately became Caldiero's earliest exit during his American Ninja Warrior appearances, being his first season where he did not qualify to Las Vegas national finals. Alex Bienz was the other competitor who failed on the obstacle.
American Ninja Warrior 11[]
American Ninja Warrior 11's Block Run in Atlanta
On American Ninja Warrior 11, the Block Run returned as the third obstacle in Atlanta, the same city as its first appearance on American Ninja Warrior 8. This time, foam cylinders were added between the blocks to prevent them from sliding along the axle.
During Atlanta qualifiers, the obstacle eliminated 15 competitors, including several top competitors like Michael Johnson, Bree Widener, and Charity LeBlanc. Several competitors also tripped up but were able to save themselves, such as Travis Rosen (who previously had a severe injury after hitting his ankle to the landing platform from the Double Dipper in Stage One on the previous season), Drew Drechsel, and Jessica Clayton.
During Atlanta finals, the obstacle was proven to be difficult once again, as it took out competitors such as Neil Craver, Eddy Stewart, Alyssa Varsalona, Emily Durham, Ben Wilson, and Jon Dilullo. In total, 6 competitors fell on this obstacle. Many competitors stumbled on this obstacle once again, such as Ryan Stratis (who received a cut on his hand at the end of the obstacle) and Travis Rosen (who had the same problem during Atlanta qualifiers).
American Ninja Warrior 13[]
American Ninja Warrior 13's Block Run
On American Ninja Warrior 13, the Block Run returned as the third obstacle during the fourth and fifth episodes of the qualifiers. This time, the obstacle was paired with the Log Runner as part of the Split Decision.
While the obstacle retained the style of the American Ninja Warrior 11 version, almost every competitor during the fourth qualifiers episode opted to attempt the Log Runner, despite that obstacle historically having a higher knockout rate. Only Ethan Swanson and Allyssa Beird attempted the obstacle overall and both of them could complete it.
During the fifth qualifiers episode, the producers modified the Log Runner by making the obstacle slightly harder, with the hope of more competitors attempting the Block Run. This time, four competitors ended up failing there: Heidi Jorgesen, Brendan Kelly, Sophia Oster, and most shockingly, Chris DiGangi.
Other Appearances[]
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
Ninja Warrior Austria 1's Block Run
In Ninja Warrior Austria 1, Block Run appeared as the third obstacle of Heat 2 and 5, which was very similar to the one used during Atlanta qualifiers in American Ninja Warrior 8.
Ninja Warrior Russia[]
Ninja Warrior Russia's Block Run
On Ninja Warrior Russia, the Block Run, locally called ะะพะถะฝัะน ะะพัั (literally False Bridge) appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 1, Heat 4 and Heat 6, which was very similar to the one used during Atlanta qualifiers in American Ninja Warrior 8.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Block Run
On Ninja Warrior Germany 2, Block Run (Block-Lauf) appeared as the third obstacle of Preliminary Round 5 and 7. Five blocks were present.
Ninja Warrior Germany 4 Semifinals' Block Run
Ninja Warrior Germany 4 Semifinals' Block Run (viewed from top)
Ninja Warrior Germany 4's Block Run (sideline view)
On Ninja Warrior Germany 4, the Block Run (officially named the Block-Lauf 2.0, meaning Block Run 2.0) appeared as the third obstacle in the Semifinals and in te Finals' Stage One, which was very similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 9.
Ninja Warrior Germany 5's Block Run
Block Run 2.0 returned in Ninja Warrior Germany 5, as the third obstacle of Preliminary Round 3.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
Ninja Warrior Poland 6's Block Run
Side view of the Block Run in Ninja Warrior Poland 6
On Ninja Warrior Poland 6, the Block Run locally called the Klocki (literally Blocks) appeared as the third obstacle in the finals' Stage One. As in the American Ninja Warrior 8, the obstacle consisted of five blocks. Support bars were added around the middle of the obstacle to prevent it from shaking too much.
Ninja Warrior Poland 7's Block Run
Then, on Ninja Warrior Poland 7, the Block Run appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 6 with the same configuration as in the previous season.
Ninja Israel[]
Ninja Israel 2's Block Run
In Ninja Warrior Israel 2, the Block Run, locally called ืืฉืจ ืืงืืืืืช (literally Cube Bridge) appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 2, Heat 7 and Heat 10. The obstacle featured six blocks, but there were several different compared to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 9:
- The second and sixth block were the biggest blocks, and the fourth block was the smallest block,
- The gap between the second and third block and the gap between the fourth and fifth block were the longest, while the gap between the first two blocks was the shortest.
This modification making the obstacle was very brutal, as it eliminated 9 competitors who attempted it.
Ninja Israel 3's Block Run
Then, in Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Block Run appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 15 and Heat 17 with a bit modification compared to the previous season, such as changed the gap between several blocks. However, this modification making the obstacle was less brutal than the previous season, as it eliminated only 3 competitors who attempted it.
Ninja Israel 4's Block Run
Later, in Ninja Warrior Israel 4, the Block Run appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 4, Heat 15 and Repechage Heat. This time the obstacle was very similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 9. This modification making the obstacle was brutal a bit than the previous season, as 4 competitors falled on it.
Ninja Israel 5's Block Run
In Ninja Warrior Israel 5, the Block Run appeared as the fifth obstacle in Semifinal 3, with the same configuration from last season appearance. With the presence of the Split Decision, there were two scenarios when attempting this obstacle:
- When the competitors pressed the button initiating the The High Road, they must have a faster pace in attempting the Block Run in order to catch up with the ring. Competitors may also choose not to attempt the jump to the ring and choose to attempt the Falling Shelves, as missing The High Road's ring did not cause an automatic disqualification.
- When the competitors did not press the button, they could take their time attempting the Block Run and would advance to the Falling Shelves instead.
This time, no competitors failed on it (possibly due to the fewer number of competitors attempting it).
American Ninja Warrior Junior[]
American Ninja Warrior Junior 2's Block Run
Block Run appeared as the fourth obstacle in American Ninja Warrior Junior 2. No changes were made, other than the blue pattern throughout the red blocks which made it similar to the Atlanta qualifiers.
9 competitors fell on this obstacle, including falls like Emily Keener, Carson Edwards, Benjamin Rutledge, Navaeh Masso, Jordan Carr, Emerson Smith, Kayla Dodge, Shenel Arenas and Paul Woods.
Trivia[]
- This obstacle is one of only three obstacles in American Ninja Warrior history to officially eliminate a competitor that had previously achieved Total Victory from a season, eliminating Isaac Caldiero during the Indianapolis finals on American Ninja Warrior 10. The others are:
- Snake Run and the Broken Bridge, which eliminated Geoff Britten on Stage One on American Ninja Warrior 8 and Seattle/Tacoma qualifiers on American Ninja Warrior 11 respectively.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the Polsat/Keshet 12 broadcast and external information found.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
| NWP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWP6 | 24 | 24 | 100% |
| Total | 24 | 24 | 100% |
Ninja Israel[]
| NWI | Stage | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NWI2 | Heat 2 | 12 | 16 | 75% |
| Heat 7 | 11 | 14 | 78.57% | |
| Heat 10 | 18 | 20 | 90% | |
| NWI3 | Heat 15 | 8 | 10 | 80% |
| Heat 17 | 10 | 11 | 90.91% | |
| NWI4 | Heat 4 | 6 | 6 | 100% |
| Heat 15 | 6 | 7 | 85.71% | |
| Repechage Heat | 6 | 9 | 66.67% | |
| NWI5 | Semifinal 3 | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| Total | 80 | 96 | 83.33% | |