beginners guide

what is obstacle course racing?

Obstacle Course Racing is one of the fastest growing sports currently in the UK. There are more obstacle course races & mud runs taking place in the UK than half and full marathons combined.

Why? Well let’s look at the reasons…

An obstacle course race is an off-road run with obstacles such as cargo net crawls, walls, monkey bars, balance beams and muddy ditches. Think of it as a cross between a massive adult playground and a military assault course. Most events are hosted in our great British countryside so you can enjoy being outdoors with beautiful scenery and fresh air in abundance.

The majority of obstacle course races involve masses of mud, which makes for some fantastic photo opportunities and lots of fun.

what can I expect from an obstacle race

You will experience an overwhelming sense of camaraderie within the obstacle racing community. You will make friends with complete strangers, who will help you over obstacles and the spectators and marshals will cheer and motivate you. It will be like nothing you have ever experienced in any activity before.

In some races you will face some of your fears, but with the support from others you will overcome them and become stronger, both physically and mentally.

You will experience an extraordinary sense of achievement at the finish line and feel super human. Bumps and bruises are inevitable due to the nature of the sport, however these will make you feel strong and invincible. Plus they will be a sign of your hard work. You can call them your ‘OCR Kisses’ which you’ll take pictures of and post them on Facebook to share your amazing achievements with your friends and family.

do i need to be fit to run an obstacle course race?

ANYONE can take part in an obstacle course race. You do not have to be fit, young, experienced, strong, agile or robust to take part. We do recommend that you are in good physical condition, if in any doubt please consult your GP for further advice.

People of all ages and abilities do obstacle course races and that is the best part about the sport. Fellow runners will help you over obstacles if you struggle and you will experience incredible support from all involved. You can sprint, jog or even walk the course. The main thing is that you finish. The fitter you get, the more competitive you will become with yourself and others.

are there any disadvantages?

The only disadvantage you may experience is an addiction to obstacle course racing and therefore your bank balance will take a beating. Oh and your diary will now be fully booked as there are events on any weekend in the year!

However, your health, fitness, friendship circle and passion for life will increase! You cannot put a price on that. So get your training gear on, get outdoors, get healthy, get muddy and be happy!