Stepping into Otherworld OCR in Frederick, MD felt more like home than something not of this planet. Home because I spend a lot of time in that town for business travel. The cravings of this OCR addict just could not be satisfied by the hotel gym, playgrounds, or parks spread across this historic, mountainous land.
Obstacle Course Racing has been one of the most exhilarating new fitness trends of the twenty-first century; making headlines in not just North America, but globally. Nearly 80% of adults 18-25 are familiar with the craze, and even my grandparents are coloring themselves intrigued. Noticeably, Crossfit gyms and boot camps are expanding their services to offer OCR training and profit off this new fitness craze.
Whatever backyard setup you have for obstacle course racing it is nothing compared to the Newby family. The Newby’s have a full 5k OCR Newbsanity (plus 5k Extreme Ravine trail run across the street) to practice on daily. They not only use it for themselves but have created an obstacle racing facility for the community to explore, train, and race.
With Tough Mudder set to take over the venue for the next five years, May 19th will be the last event for The Battlegrounds as we know it. I’m hoping Tough Mudder incorporates some of The Battlegrounds existing obstacles into their race with a name like Tough Mudder’s Battlegrounds.
I travel a lot for my job. So when a ninja gym opens up in one of the remote places I work, three things happen: first, I get excited. Second, I go there to work out and review the site for Mud Run Guide. And third, I secure the feeling that this whole ninja/OCR thing is here to stay for the long haul.
If you want a fun OCR with obstacles that will challenge you but don’t seem impossible, this is it. Or if you like Shale Hill but want a more reasonable version of it, Viking Obstacle Race at Sunny Hill Resort in Greenville, New York is for you.
The Marine Corps Half-Marathon has been around for about 30 years. To keep up with the latest sports trends, Marine Corps Community Services Lejeune-New River started organizing local obstacle course races. Now they offer an east coast season-opening trifecta of races in what they call the USAA Grand Prix Series.
Inside OCR Series features gym owner (and Tough Mudder Pro Team member) Allison Tai who runs Van City OCR out of Vancouver, B.C. Learn what makes this facility unique.
David Magida has this thing about coming out of retirement to win Spartan Races. Then he goes back into retirement. Sort of. When he is not the face and voice of Spartan Race on TV or live-feed, he is back home in Washington, D. C., where he owns and operates Elevate Interval Fitness. Now that he podiumed his first race of the 2018 season, he may go back into hiding as he preps to open his third shop.
More than just a gym, more than sweat on the floor, we believe lives change through our community, our passion, and our commitment to making fitness fun for every single person, no matter where you are starting from or where you want to go. Go inside of City Fit Shop in Canada.
