Storm Runner

Roller coaster at Hersheypark

Storm Runner is a launched roller coaster located at Hersheypark in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Manufactured by Intamin and situated in the Pioneer Frontier section of the park, the Accelerator Coaster opened to the public on May 8, 2004. It reaches a height of 150 feet (46 m) and catapults riders from 0 to in two seconds. Storm Runner features a top hat element, three inversions, a dual loading station, and a magnetic braking system. In addition, it was designed to interact with three other Hersheypark rides: Dry Gulch Railroad, the Monorail, and Trailblazer. Storm Runner is the first accelerator coaster to utilize over the shoulder restraints and the first to have a dual loading station with switch tracks. It was also the first accelerator coaster to feature inversions; Kanonen at Liseberg was the second. A replica of the ride was included in RollerCoaster Tycoon 3’s Soaked expansion pack under the same name.

In August 2003, Hersheypark announced that it had hired Swiss roller coaster manufacturer Intamin to construct a new launched coaster in the Pioneer Frontier section of the park. Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company was considering one of three names for the coaster: Steel Stampede, Renegade, and Storm Runner. Hershey Entertainment hosted a contest in which members of the public could vote on the name. More than 46,000 people voted on the name over a two week period. In November 2003, before the name was officially announced, Hershey Entertainment filed a trademark for the name "Storm Runner". Hershey Entertainment formally announced the coaster's name on November 5, 2003. and ultimately cost $12.5 million. By April 2004, test runs for the coaster had commenced. Storm Runner first opened on May 8, 2004.

Storm Runner contains about 2600 feet (792 m) of track and three inversions. The duration of the ride is about 58 seconds (including the wait on the launch track). The track has near miss points with three attractions: the Hersheypark monorail, Dry Gulch Railroad, and Trailblazer. Immediately following the launch, the train climbs vertically through a 150 ft top hat. The hydraulic launch system is powered by hydraulic pumps, which pumps push hydraulic fluid into several accumulators. As the hydraulic fluid fills the accumulators, it pushes on the pistons, compressing the nitrogen. A similar system is used on Kingda Ka and Xcelerator, and formerly Top Thrill Dragster.

On June 26, 2018, a 9 year old boy's safety harness allegedly could not be properly secured when he was on board one of the cars. His father (who was properly strapped in and was also riding with him) noticed that he began to feel terrified as if he felt like he was going to fall off and die from his injuries when the ride was in motion. The ride operators allegedly failed to address the concern when asked for assistance by the father. As the train exited the station, the boy got off of the ride at the last moment, leaving his father aboard as he exited the attraction.