Sunday, May 3, 2026
Racing starts at 8 am CDT

THE FINAL EVENT AT FOOLS FEST SPRINTS!

Distance racing is brutal, but people love it. For those who can’t seem to get enough meters, we have created Marathon Mayhem. During May, you can put all that winter training to the test during our Heaven Help Us Half and Crazy In Love Marathon events!

Both races will offer opportunities to race against others or to go solo if you’re not feeling competitive.

The Marathon Mayhem package includes two races:

1. Heaven Help Us/Heaven Heard Us Half Marathon
2. Crazy In Love/Not So In Love Marathon

Enter them as a package and save money if you want to compete in both races, or enter each individually.

Only Fools Do 2Ks

OUR FINAL 2OOOm race!

Sunday, March 29, 2026
Racing starts at 9 am CDT

Where it all began is where it all will end! Our premier indoor rowing event, Only Fools Do 2Ks, is coming to an end! We’ve had a great run, but it’s for us to put the handle in the cradle step away from the erg. Join us in dropping the hammer for a 2K ONE LAST TIME!

This virtual 2K will be conducted ONLINE using ERGZONE.
The app is free to download from your mobile app store.The fourth and final stage race of the Ergon Metron Series Cup. Only Fools Do 2Ks can be entered as a solo event or as part of the series.

There will be medals to win, official race tees for sale, along with FFS erg towels and decals. The champions will have their names written on the Fools Fest Sprints Trophy and be crowned with their own custom, handmade Fools Fest Sprints bucket hat.

Sun, March 15, 2026
9 am CDT

What goes up must come down! Racers will climb and descend a 19-minute pyramid in quest of the most total meters. Strategy is key. Rate high and fly or go slow with power? Which race plan will get you the most meters? Test your smarts and your stamina to find out!

This event will be conducted ONLINE using the ERGZONE app.The app is free to download in your mobile app store.

The official start time of this event is 9 am CDT for all live racers! It will be a controlled/race start for those competing virtually on the ErgZone app. The countdown clock will begin at 8:59 am CDT.

Racers in other time zones may compete at their local time on Sunday, March 16, at 9 am.

The March Meter Madness 19’ Pyramid Challenge:

30 seconds – 1 minute rest
1 minute – 1 minute rest
4 minutes – 1 minute rest
8 minutes – 1 minute rest
4 minutes – 1 minute rest
1 minute – 1 minute rest
30 seconds

MOST TOTAL METERS WINS!

Coming January of 2026!

Sun, January 25, 2026
9 am CST start

Serious erg racers know how important establishing a baseline is. We are providing an opportunity for those seeking glory at the 2026 National and/or World Indoor Rowing Championships to line up against other competitive athletes and see where they are at in their 2K training. This is your chance to test your race strategy and get a 2K under your belt before the one that counts!

Sun, January 11, 2026
9 am CST start

The Everest of the Ergon Metron, this event will test you to the core of your being. Not for those with soft hands or soft hearts. Legs of steel and the heart of a lion are required, along with an unabashed delight in suffering. Can you go to your pain cave and pitch a tent? We shall see.

The third stage race of the Ergon Metron Series Cup, the Frozen Hell No! 10K can be entered as a solo event or as part of the series. Racers competing for the overall Series Cup Championship rankings MUST race at race time on race day for this event. (You may race in your time zone, but it must be 9 am on Sunday, January 12, wherever you are. This is a race, and we all need to line up together. Thank you!)

All race results reported to Concept2 rankings.

Sun, December 14, 2025
9 am CST start

One more chance at erg romance before Santa’s sleigh flies. We have no idea what will happen, but we’re in it with you! Sit down and throw down before the holiday crazies begin! And if you're already in the midst of it, an erg race may be just what you ne

Sun, November 23, 2025
9 am CST start

Burn some to earn some! Join us for a Thanksgiving Day virtual 6K erg race! Start the day with a solid metabolism boost to prepare yourself for what comes next. All are welcome! Happy Thanksgiving!

Sun, October 26, 2025
9 am CDT start

Fall season is coming to a close, and the air is getting colder. Strength, stamina, and mental toughness are critical to success in this event. For those not afraid to stay the course and ready to take their revenge on the sprinters. Are you haunted, or do you haunt? Find out.

The second stage race of the Ergon Metron Series Cup, the Ghost Riders Revenge 5K, can be entered as a solo event or as part of the series.

• All race results reported to Concept2 rankings.

Sun, June 8, 2025
9:30 am CDT start

No wind, no current, and no weather to contend with. Rip a 1K on your erg in the heat of summer and see what you’ve got without distraction or excuses. Are you at your sprinting peak, or have you fallen off from winter training? How does all the work you’ve been doing on the water translate? Not a water rower? Maybe you’re faster. There’s only one way to find out. Take your seat in the heat. It’s a sweater.

The first stage race of the Ergon Metron Series Cup, the Summer Sweater 1K, can be entered as a solo event or as part of the series, it’s also a part of the 2026 June Bug Sprints race package!

• All race results reported to Concept2 rankings.

Coming June of 2025!

Sunday, June 8, 2025
Racing starts at 9 am CDT

Sprint racing is where it’s at when the days are longer and the sun is out! We are excited to debut a brand-new event for 2025, the June Bug Sprints! It will be a morning of fast and furious sprint events for those who like to let it rip. Join us for one event or all three! We are offering the June Bug Package to bundle and save money, but you can also enter each event as a solo race if you are only interested in doing one.

June Bug Package includes 3 Sprint Races:

1. Ride It Like You Stole It 100m
2. Salute 2 The Troops 500m
3. Summer Sweater 1K

Sunday, May 25, 2025
9 am CDT start

Fools Fest Sprints salutes the memory and service of our troops. This Memorial Day weekend, we will race 500m with everything we've got in honor of those who gave everything they had and made the ultimate sacrifice. This will be a Triple Crown event.

2025 Triple Crown?

Racers are invited to compete in one, two, or three 500m races. Do one, do two, do all three for the Triple Crown. Each of the three 500m intervals will have a 3-minute rest in between. Claim victory in one, two, or all three 500m races!

This is a Metron Maximus required race.

Sunday, April 6, 2025
Racing starts at 9 am CDT

Where it all began! Fools Fest Sprints, Chicago’s party with ergs. Our premier indoor rowing event where serious racing is seriously fun! We’ve taken our party online, so we can virtually race against people worldwide. Join us in dropping the hammer for a 2K, a 2-Person 1000m Relay, or our Kid’s 12 & Under 200m Fools In Training race.

Share your love of rowing with your peeps. Sign up for our Fools Fest Sprints Package! Rowers can also register for each event individually.

Save money on your race entries and get the whole crew involved! With a relay and a kid's 12 and under race, there are lots of ways for everyone to compete!

FFS Package includes:

1. Only Fools Do 2Ks - This is a Metron Maximus required race.
2. FFS 1000m 2-Person Relay
3. Kid's 200m Fools In Training

Sun, March 16, 2025
9 am CDT

What goes up must come down! Racers will climb and descend a 19-minute pyramid in quest of the most total meters. Strategy is key. Rate high and fly or go slow with power? Which race plan will get you the most meters? Test your smarts and your stamina to find out!

The March Meter Madness 19’ Pyramid Challenge:

30 seconds – 1 minute rest
1 minute – 1 minute rest
4 minutes – 1 minute rest
8 minutes – 1 minute rest
4 minutes – 1 minute rest
1 minute – 1 minute rest
30 seconds

MOST TOTAL METERS WINS!

Sunday, February 16, 2025
8 am CST start!

You have to be Crazy In Love to erg 42,195 meters! For those who want to test the depth of their devotion to indoor rowing, we’ve got a virtual event for you!

Racing live via the ErgZone app.

The 42,195 meters will be broken into 4000m intervals without any scheduled rest in between, but YOU MAY REST!

This is a Metron Maximus required race.

Sun, January 26, 2025
8 am CST start!

21,097 meters? Are you serious?!

This one is for those who can’t get enough time in the saddle. The Heaven Help Us Half Marathon is a virtual erg race that will convince you one way or the other if distance rowing is your jam. You’ll need to complete this event if you’re on the quest for the Metron Maximus, so add it to your training calendar now!

Race results reported to Concept2 rankings.

This is a Metron Maximus required race.

Sun, January 12, 2025
9 am CST start

The Everest of the Ergon Metron, this event will test you to the core of your being. Not for those with soft hands or soft hearts. Legs of steel and the heart of a lion are required, along with an unabashed delight in suffering. Can you go to your pain cave and pitch a tent? We shall see.

The third stage race of the Ergon Metron Series Cup, the Frozen Hell No! 10K can be entered as a solo event or as part of the series.

All race results reported to Concept2 rankings.

This is a Metron Maximus required race.

Sun, December 15, 2024
9 am CST start

One more chance at erg romance before Santa’s sleigh flies. We have no idea what will happen, but we’re in it with you! Sit down and throw down before the holiday crazies begin! And if you're already in the midst of it, an erg race may be just what you need to blow off steam, escape the in-laws, or ready your legs for a long car ride.

Full-entry racers will receive a pair of our 7” fully sublimated crew socks!

Sun, November 24, 2024
9 am CDT start

Burn some to earn some! Join us for a Thanksgiving Day virtual 6K erg race! Start the day with a solid metabolism boost to prepare yourself for what comes next. All are welcome! Happy Thanksgiving!

Full-entry racers will receive a custom Turkey Day 6K pot holder!

This is a Metron Maximus required race.

Sun, October 13, 2024
9 am CDT start

Fall season is coming to a close, and the air is getting colder. Strength, stamina, and mental toughness are critical to success in this event. For those not afraid to stay the course and ready to take their revenge on the sprinters. Are you haunted, or do you haunt? Find out.

The second stage race of the Ergon Metron Series Cup, the Ghost Riders Revenge 5K, can be entered as a solo event or as part of the series.

All race results reported to Concept2 rankings.

This is a Metron Maximus required race.

Sunday, September 1, 2024
9 am CDT start

Let's do work! The Challenge: 10x100m with 10 seconds rest in between for a total of 1000 meters. Behold the power of 10s.

Where is your sweet spot? Do you have a monster start? Are you a master of the middle? A negative splitting wizard? Or is consistency from start to finish your secret? Show us what you've got! You labor for that which you love, and you love that for which you labor. Let’s do work!

Winning Categories include:

Fastest overall time, Fastest/Best Interval, Most Overall Calories, and Most Accurate Rower: Match Initial Pace & Rate.

Sun, August 11, 2024
9 am CDT

This one’s for all small boat enthusiasts! We’re moving into head racing season, so let’s keep the momentum going and the boat running. Race 1500m in your virtual single and set yourself a good baseline for the fall season’s work. There will be prizes!

THERE WILL BE PRIZES! It's summer, so we're going with visors for the crew. Ride Backwards will give their ultralight Element 360 visors to the winners in EVERY division listed on the Fools Fest Sprints website under the Sculling Bash event.

Ride It Like You Stole It 100m

Sun, June 9, 2024
9 am CDT star

THIS ONE’S FREE!

Speed demons unite in this 100m throwdown. Ride that erg like you stole it and get to the finish as fast as you can. This race is required for the Metron Maximus Quest. We’re making it a free event so all the jailbirds can break free with us!

Race results reported to Concept2 rankings.

This is a Metron Maximus required race.

Sunday, May 26, 2024 - 9 am CDT
Entry $26

Fools Fest Sprints salutes the memory and service of our troops. This Memorial Day weekend, we will race 500m with everything we've got in honor of those who gave everything they had and made the ultimate sacrifice. This will be a Triple Crown event.

Triple Crown?

Racers are invited to compete in three 500m races. Do one, do two, do all three for the Triple Crown. Each of the three 500m intervals will have a 5-minute rest in between. Claim victory in one, two, or all three 500m races!

This event is a fundraiser for the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust, which receives a 100% 4-star rating on Charity Navigator. 10% of your entry fee will be donated. The Erg Rats are proud to lead the charge and encourage you to join our indoor infantry for this worthy event.• All racers will receive a 3" UV-protected vinyl Erg Rats Memorial Decal

This virtual race will be conducted ONLINE using the ERGZONE app.

The app is free to download in your mobile app store.

Sunday, April 7, 2024
Only Fools Do 2Ks 2000m - 9 am CDT
Kids 12 & Under 200m Fools In Training – 9:25 am CDT
FFS 1000m 2-Person Relay – 9:35 am CDT

The event we’ve all been waiting for! Fools Fest Sprints! A great morning of racing with multiple virtual events for the entire crew. Starting with the fourth and final stage race of the Ergon Metron Series Cup, Only Fools Do 2Ks, followed by the Kid’s 12 & Under 200m Fools In Training race, and then our FFS 1000m 2-Person Relay.

By bundling these events into a race package, we’ve made getting in on the racing action easier this April. Now, you can sign up for all the Fools Fest events with one registration! And we’re throwing in the Kid’s 200m for free when you do.

Only Fools Do 2Ks - Entry $26
1000m 2-Person Relay – Entry $26 (each racer)
Kid’s 200m Fools In Training – Entry $5
Fools Fest Sprints Package (All three races) – Entry $42 (Save $15 with this bundle.)

Sunday, March 17, 2024 - 9 am CDT
Entry $26

What goes up must come down! Rowers will climb and descend a 19-minute pyramid in quest of the most total meters. Strategy is key. Rate high and fly or go slow with power? Which race plan will get you the most meters? Test your smarts and your stamina to find out!

Entry $26

You have to be Crazy In Love to erg 42,195 meters! For those who want to test the depth of their devotion to indoor rowing, we’ve got a virtual event for you! Row 42,195 meters (a marathon) in 24 hrs.