Obstacle course
races (OCR’s) have become hugely popular over the past decade as casual
gym-goers look for new ways to test themselves physically & mentally.
Additionally, with the average person becoming more aware of the health risks
posed by a sedentary lifestyle, many are searching for a new, exciting way to
get their daily exercise. Whatever the reason, OCR’s have been tabbed as one of
the fastest growing sports in North America & they are certainly here to
stay.
Where did it start?
Although the
origins of the OCR are not clear, many experts point to the ‘Tough Guy’ race
that was originally held in the UK in 1987. The Tough Guy event claims is it “One of the hardest events the body can take.
Contests compete in this gruelling biannual event.” The event is still run
twice each year, however it now trails far behind OCR giants such as the
Spartan Race & Tough Mudder for the number of annual racers.
Who does OCR’s?
Perhaps the main reason OCR’s are growing in
popularity so quickly is that there is something for everybody regardless of
age, weight, gender or athleticism, making it a universally appealing sport. OCR’s
vary widely in length & difficulty, ranging from races of just a few miles
& obstacles, right up to the ‘Toughest Mudder’ which is a gruelling 24-hour
mental & physical test of wills.nRegardless of the venue, you will regularly
see racers young & old, fit & unfit, looking for a new way to test
themselves while having a good time!
How many types are out there?
There are
literally thousands of different types of obstacle course races being run
today, however the two most popular races available in North America today are
the Spartan Race & Tough Mudder:
Spartan Race:
Founded in 2010 by Joe De Sena, Julian Kopan, &
Andy Weinberg, the Spartan Race is one of the biggest players in the OCR game,
set to host 170 events this year in over 30 different countries. In 2013, the Spartan
Race was able to attract athletic apparel giant, Reebok, to come on board as
the official title sponsor, & in 2015 NBC created a Spartan-based
television series titled ‘Spartan: Ultimate Team Challenge.’ ESPN has described
the Spartan Race as ‘a true test of will.’
Self-described as the most athletically challenging
OCR today & ‘the world’s best obstacle race. Period,’ the race includes obstacles
that are very athletic in nature avoiding the ‘pain for the purpose of pain’
obstacles that appear in other races. There are 4 types of Spartan races
available including the Sprint (3+ miles, 20+ obstacles), the Super (8+ miles, 25+
obstacles), the Beast (13+ miles, 30+ obstacles), & for true gluttons of
punishment – the Ultra Beast (26+ miles, 60+ obstacles).
Tough Mudder:
Founded in 2010 by Will Dean & Guy Livingstone,
the Tough Mudder event has become synonymous with OCR in North America &
abroad. Since it’s inception in 2010, Tough Mudder claims that over 2.5M people
worldwide have taken on s Tough Mudder event. In 2015, Merrell, an American
footwear company, became the title sponsor of the race, with other notable
recurring sponsors including Old Spice, Shock Top, & the US Army.
The Tough Mudder describes itself as a physical
& mental challenge rather than a race. Additionally, the Tough Mudder puts
an emphasis on teamwork & comaradarie as opposed to a competition or a race.
One of the more attractive options for nervous racers, is that they can opt out
of any obstacle they would like without facing any penalties.
The Tough Mudder
feature three race variations: the Half (5+ miles, 13+ obstacles), the standard
Tough Mudder (10+ miles, 20+ obstacles), & the World’s Toughest Mudder
which is a 24 hour race that occurs on a 5-mile course. The winner is
determined by who finishes the most laps of the track, & is awarded a prize
of $10,000.
Obstacle course racing in the
Olympics?
On March 8th,
2017, the International Obstacle Sports Federation (USAOCR), was recognized as
the national governing body for obstacles sports & related disciplines in
the US & the first National Championship will be April 30th in
Hialeah, Florida.
Although this does
not mean you are necessarily see an OCR in the next Summer Olympics, having a
National governing body & a National Championship goes a long way in
legitimizing the sport, vastly improving it’s chances of getting into the
Olympics.
Is it Dangerous?
Sort of. There
have been documented deaths at OCR races, most notably a 28-year old
participant named Avishek Sengupta who during the ‘Walk the Plank’ obstacle at
a 2013 Tough Mudder event. That said, according to a 2016 research study,
serious injuries are rare at obstacle course races, with only 1% of
participants getting injured with most of the injuries being minor & 89% of
those injured returning to the course to finish the race.
Should I do one?
That is a question
that only you, & possibly your health care professional, can answer. If you
exercise regularly, or have more than a few weeks to train (& do not have
any pre-existing medical condition), then I would say try your hand at Warrior
Dash or a ‘lighter’ version of an OCR to get yourself warmed up.
For me personally,
signing up for a Spartan Race was the motivation I needed to begin living a
more healthy lifestyle. Although I am only 16 days into my journey, I am
feeling happier & healthier with each day that passes, & I know I have
the Spartan Race to thank for that. Now here’s hoping that I feel the same way
come race day!
100 Day Spartan
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