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Faces at the Races

Many of you are probably aware that obstacle course racing (OCR) is the fastest growing sport in the world.  Several race series have already been featured on TV and nearly one hundred OCR training gyms have opened around the country.  Most of you probably know the top athletes who are battling for podium spots every week.  They get most of the media exposure, deservedly so, but what about the other 99% of racers made up of everyday athletes?  You know, the ones paying most of the registration fees for these races, buying products and training gear, spending their weekends traveling to race venues, etc.  No one seems to give them much attention…until now.

As a kid, I read the “Faces in the Crowd” section of Sports Illustrated where they wrote a paragraph about up-and-coming athletes in various sports.  I always thought how awesome it was that great athletes from minor sports finally got some recognition.  Now it’s time to do the same for the OCR community.

Mud Run Guide is proudly introducing a brand new series called Faces at the Races that focuses on the “other 99%” of racers.  Every week, we’ll conduct a new interview with racers from several different categories:

  • Up-and-coming Athletes
  • Weight loss  / Life-Change Success Stories
  • Motivating Parent, Siblings, Co-Workers
  • Passionate Supporters of the Sport of OCR
  • Youngsters Getting Involved in OCR & Mud Runs

We hope you enjoy Faces at the Races and feel free to nominate someone for the next feature by email now: mail@mudrunguide.com

Jack Bauer

Faces at the Races — Richard Rachal

By |July 25th, 2016|

After our third kid, Emily (my killer awesome wife) starting working out hard in the most inconvenient times (early morning and late night) to lose the baby weight. She proved to me that it can be done and that health is important. The “I need to change” moment occurred in my parents’ kitchen. My dad squeezed my shoulder and said, “That extra weight looks good on you Rick. Makes you look like a man.” I wear my weight well, and he was sincere. I looked stronger, but it was just a layer of fat. It was the first time that someone, excluding Emily, acknowledged the “extra weight.”

Faces at the Races — Mike Weaver

By |August 22nd, 2016|

I grew up very active in sports and played a little over a year of college football. OCR gives me that opportunity to still feel competitive. OCR also allows me to push myself further than I have in any sport I have ever played and I love pushing myself to see how far I can truly go.

Faces at the Races — Amanda Csiszar

By |August 10th, 2016|

My first race was Malibu 2013 and it was COLD!! Not knowing what I was getting into, we went hard out the gate. I was huffing and puffing so hard, I literally thought I wasn’t going to make it. I was slipping everywhere because I was in experienced and was wearing Nike Frees! I failed pretty much every obstacle out there (rope climb, monkey bars, spear) so I was drowning in burpees. I wanted to cry because I was so tired and so cold. I kept asking myself “why did I sign up for this”! But then I crossed the finished line and earned my first medal. After that, I was hooked.

Faces at the Races — Mark Barroso

By |September 5th, 2016|

In a broad perspective, my favorite part about the sport is how literally anyone can get involved. Since some courses are only three miles, it doesn’t take much training to be able to be complete a course. An amateur strongman, bodybuilder or triathlete has to put in many hours of training and dieting to even complete one event.

Faces at the Races — Amanda Lopez

By |September 12th, 2016|

My favorite way to train is going on trail runs while I push the baby in the stroller. I take yoga, strength train, and take jiu jitsu classes. I believe that trying new things pushes your training to the next level. I also host free hikes and workouts a couple times a month. Everyone’s favorite event is my moonlight hike that I host every full moon.

Faces at the Races — Marty Pittman

By |September 27th, 2016|

I am a 52-year-old leukemia survivor who is in the middle of a major life transformation. I just discovered obstacle course racing this year and it has become my new passion in life and a major factor in my losing over 40 pounds in the past year. I am married to my awesome wife, Sandy, and have three awesome sons, Grey, Seth, and Kade, who I am trying to share my newfound passion with. I am a Software Solution Architect with a focus and passion on the power of leveraging data and advanced analytics to better the world.

Faces at the Races — Heathyr Stanics

By |October 10th, 2016|

I began my fitness journey in August of 2013 by going to the gym by myself, walking the treadmill, or slowly easing along on the elliptical. I decided to set a goal to give myself something to look forward to. I signed up for a colorful 5k and also started dabbling in yoga because I was so fascinated with inversions. I am now 4 sizes and 60 pounds down from when I began, and I continue to train and work on my physical fitness.

Faces at the Races — Alan Lewis

By |November 16th, 2016|

OCR is great physical and mental challenge and every race feels like an adventure. There’s an element of surprise where you can’t predict with absolute certainty how everything will play out.

Faces at the Races — Almon Cox

By |November 28th, 2016|

Almon R. Cox is this week's Faces at the Races spotlight. Cox hit rock bottom when he found himself in jail for substance abuse. Since that time he has used obstacle racing as a path to a fit and healthy life. Read his story in this week's spotlight.

Faces at the Races — Brandon Nielson

By |December 19th, 2016|

When I moved to Colorado my friends introduced me to Spartan and Tough Mudder. I had never run anything like this before. I never had the desire, but I needed something in my life to motivate me to get out of bed and get to the gym and improve my health. I compete in OCR not only because it has turned into a passion, but it keeps me fit both mentally and physically.

Mud Run Guide
Welcome to Mud Run Guide - the worldwide leader in mud runs, obstacle course races, and outdoor running adventures. Established in 2012, our focus is to provide you with the best events, discounts, news, reviews, gear, and training for the sport of OCR.