Lol, big facts.
I agree with you upon reflection and upon watching Telopots take up the challenge without even drawing his gun with the indycrusher.
For the record, until maybe he posts it himself,
Hear ye, hear ye:
Telopots has taken the title as first person to clear my challenge with any weapon (to my knowledge) and did so under Variant A rules. Congrats! And amazing game. Really pleased to see someome finally succeed and prove it can be done.
Previous results with sprint usage of ranged are valid and grandfathered in.