Obstacle race – what it is and why you should try it?

OCR runs are nothing more than obstacle runs. Maybe some people remember them from their childhood gym class. However, these are not the kind of obstacles that I am talking about here. These are very difficult races for which you need to prepare properly. 

This form of competition is very popular and you can find a lot of interesting obstacle races. What are OCR races and why are they so popular? I will answer these questions for you in this article. What’s more, I’ll also introduce you to a couple of really fascinating competitions that you can take part in if you prepare well. Let’s get started!

Obstacle races – why are they so popular and what are they?

Obstacle running is a way to strengthen your fitness, psyche, and fight your weaknesses.

Did your muscles hurt and you couldn’t make it to the finish line? Now think that not only you have to run but still have to overcome many challenging obstacles in the process. 

After this brief introduction, you are probably wondering why many people choose to run such a race. The answer is very simple. They want to feel the adrenaline, do something new, and still have fun during the competition. During the race, you must use your knowledge and skills because, without the right approach, you will not overcome the obstacles that are put in your way. You need to think fast and make smart decisions.

What’s more, it’s an ideal option for people who love close encounters with nature…I mean very close. In many obstacle races, you have to crawl (for example through mud) or fall into the water. Obstacle running can be compared to real survivalism. 

Thanks to this form of “entertainment” you will finally break away from everyday life, from lying on the couch. You will push your limits and learn about your hidden weaknesses. Moreover, such competitions will allow you to develop your body comprehensively, not only in terms of endurance and fitness but also in terms of the range of motion and mobility. 

Despite often a lot of pain, when you are trying to overcome your weaknesses, you can believe me that at the finish line, you will feel great satisfaction that you managed to overcome the entire obstacle race. As a reward, you will additionally receive a beautiful commemorative medal, which will only confirm that you have achieved something great.

What obstacles you may encounter during an OCR races

Now organizers are outdoing themselves with crazy ideas for the obstacles that participants must overcome. However, it happens very often that it’s nature itself that shapes the best difficulties: the run-high climbs, a big hole filled with water and mud. I’m about to introduce you to some of the obstacles you may (but don’t have to) encounter along the route during the OCR races. What will appear in the competition depends on the organizers –  the most important thing is the safety of all participants. 

• crawling through the mud and stones under the entanglements,
• crossing the balance beam,
• jumping into a pool of cold water
• passing on hands on a bar from one side to the other,
• climbing a several-meter-high wall, 
• carrying a heavy bag from point A to point B, 
• several tens of meters of running through mud and water, 
• running up and down in the mud, 
• climbing a rope.

Looking at these obstacles, have you already lost motivation to take part in OCR? Or maybe the opposite? No matter what your approach is, you are sure to find races that will fit your abilities. After all, you don’t have to take part in the most difficult obstacle races right away. Just choose a short one with simple obstacles. 

What if I can’t overcome an obstacle?

No one will disqualify you because you fail to overcome an obstacle on the course. At such races you usually have to do a few extra laps, squats, or push-ups. The form of the “penalty” depends on the organizer. After completing it, you can bypass the obstacle that caused you difficulty and move on.

OCR runs – races that should be on your bucket list

1.Tough Mudder 

Photos source: The official website of Tough Mudder.

Tough Mudder is one of the most popular and best obstacle runs. It is held not only in the United States but there are also editions in the UK or Australia. It is an endurance run with obstacles over a distance of 10-12 miles. 

The first such competition was held in 2010 in the USA. It is a race in which you not only fight yourself and your fitness but also your fears. The obstacles are often related to water, fire, or height. Some people have to prepare themselves and take several deep breaths before they are brave enough to overcome an obstacle. 

You need to prepare well for such a race otherwise you may find it very difficult to complete 10-12 miles. 

What obstacles await you? Among others: mud running, rope crossing, climbing, and crawling under the entanglements. 

Tough Mudder is so popular that many other smaller races have been created, such as Mini Mudder in which children can participate. However, the most interesting is the World’s Toughest Mudder. It’s a really fun contest. It lasts 24 hours and what matters is how many laps you complete in that time. You have to overcome obstacles all the time and keep running and so on throughout the day. It’s a race for people who have experience and have prepared long before for such an event.

In this event, however, you must remember that if you do not complete an obstacle then there is no penalty. This is a higher-level race. If you want to compete for prizes then you must complete all the obstacles. If you don’t, you report it and then you are excluded from competing for prizes, but you can still participate in the race.

2.Savage Race

Next one on the list is Savage Run. It’s a competition that takes place in many places in the eastern part of the US such as Pennsylvania and Georgia. The first competition was held in 2011 and attracts more and more people every year.

Savage Race takes the same approach to penalties as Tough Mudder. If you don’t overcome an obstacle you don’t participate in the prizefight, but you can continue running. 

This is a race for people who like to get dirty and wet. Many of the obstacles are water-related, such as plunging into ice water, water under hanging obstacles, or sloping slides that lead straight into the water. Up to 1,500,000 gallons of water are used during this race.

Of course, you’ll find other obstacles along the route, such as throwing a heavy ball into a hole in the wall, a wall climber, a rope climber, going over obstacles, carrying heavy objects through a certain section, or crawling through mud. 

You’ll find from 15 to as many as 25 obstacles along the 3-mile (5 km) course. For such races, it’s nice to go with a team. There will always be someone to support you in a difficult moment or help you overcome an obstacle.

3.Spartan Race

Photos source: The official website of Spartan Race

The Spartan Race is not only popular in the US, but all over the world. You can take part in it in 30 countries. This number alone shows how popular this race is and the scale of the event. 

You can choose for yourself one of several types of running: 

• Spirit – 5K and 20 obstacles 
• Super – 10K and 25 obstacles 
• Beast – 13 miles and 30 obstacles 
• Ultra – 50K and 60 obstacles. 

You have a lot of options, so you can choose a run suitable to your abilities and preparation not only physically, but also mentally. Spartans were sent to wilderness and mountainous places to become real warriors. Here, too, the organizers present you with many challenges. They know how to use the mountainous terrain and the place to create a unique race and obstacles. 

If you can’t overcome an obstacle, you face a penalty – you have to do 30 burpees.  Interestingly, Spartan Races are held not only outdoors surrounded by nature, but also in stadiums. 

What kind of obstacles can you expect? For example: climb walls, rope climb, swing on rings, balance on a slackline, carry a log, climb a-frame cargo.

4.RED BULL 400

Photos source: The official website of Red Bull.

How about a very short “run” that will challenge you like no other? RED BULL 400 is a 400-meter sprint that takes place on a ski jump hill. 

Yes, you read correctly – on a ski jump. From the very bottom to where the jumpers jump off, a net is spread out to help the participants climb. At the very beginning you may think it’s easy, but the higher you climb (you practically crawl, because it gets steeper and steeper) only then do you feel how hard the race is. 

It’s only 400 meters, and you feel like you’ve run several miles. This is a very endurance race that requires you to have a lot of strength and good conditioning. Believe me, it could be one of the worst 20 minutes of your life. Nevertheless, it is worth doing the challenge. You can find such a run in many countries!

It’s the most popular in countries that have a big history of jumping on the ski jump. If you have the opportunity and feel well prepared, try this challenge. It will show you if you are ready for a real battle against obstacles. 

5. Rugged Maniac

Photos source: The official website of Rugged Maniac.

If you want to have even more fun running, then you need to choose Rugged Maniac. It’s a combination of real competition and fun. It’s a 5K course with 25 obstacles. However, the route is also filled with interesting obstacles, namely giant inflatables. 

These “fun” OCR races are held in many cities in the US. You can sign up for the competition in Los Angeles, Kansas City, Atlanta, Calgary, Phoenix, or Austin, among others. 

Not only will you encounter large inflatable obstacles on your way, but you’ll also have to overcome, among other things, climbing a rope or bar wall, going under and over obstacles, running through the mud with obstacles, jumping over fire, or lifting heavy objects suspended from a rope.

This event is not just a run, but continuous fun with music, good food, dancing, and beer 😉

Whether you are a beginner or advanced, or maybe you just want to have fun with such a competition you are sure to find the perfect OCR race for you. Just remember to start with short and less demanding distances. With time, you will be able to go to a higher level and who knows, in the future choose the World’s Toughest Mudder. Good luck with your preparation and race. Remember that the most important thing is to enjoy the event and have the most fun possible!