For anyone looking to start their addiction to OCR’s, look no further than Warrior Dash. This weekend’s event at Camp Warwick in Warwick, NY, was both challenging and liberating for a newcomer such as myself. The main hub of the event was abuzz with newcomers and pros alike, all eager to get on the course and into the mud!
Spartan Race made its annual Beast stop at Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon, New Jersey. Heavy storms rolled into the area early Saturday morning causing every wave of athletes to be postponed 30 minutes. The extra time allowed Spartans to prepare for 13.8 miles of grueling climbs and 32 obstacles which would heavily tax the upper body.
It finally happened, after 5 seasons in obstacle course racing, I finally made my way to a Tough Mudder event. For years now I've been saying the only event they put on that I am interested in is the annual World's Toughest Mudder but this year they changed that with the introduction of their 6 race America's Toughest Mudder series. After the "South" event, I can now say that I am officially onboard with Mudder Nation.
I made my annual trip to Warrior Dash, this year in Pulaski, Tennessee (TN). Despite personally enjoying more difficult obstacles, I always like to go back to check on the series that brought me into OCR. Warrior Dash still has one of the largest attendance numbers in the sport and for a good reason.
Epic Series is not like your “ traditional “ obstacle course races. It’s not “ a runner’s course.” It's a very short course combined with obstacle challenges focusing on strength and lifting heavy objects. There is very little running with the exception of the beginning sprint lap.
This past weekend I traveled up to beautiful Snohomish, Washington to compete in the Spartan Race: Seattle Super/Sprint weekend. This race also happened to be the first stop in the U.S Championship series attracting OCR athletes from all parts of the country to give it their all in what was bound to be an exciting race that challenged all of us both mentally and physically. This is certainly not a course for the faint of heart.
“Think Outside of the Mud” is the motto of City Challenge Race a very different kind of OCR that has been around since 2013. Rather than on mountains or other hilly terrains they are run on pavement in Urban areas. They have two locations in New Jersey, one on Randalls Island in New York City and one in Massachusetts.
Mighty Mud Dash was a grand ole time. Great race, great venue, great course, great company, and it’s always a pleasure to be able to sit down and reflect on this amazing sport we have been provided with in OCR. I look forward to doing more MMD’s in my future; hopefully next time I won’t sleep through my race.
I had high hopes for my second Bonefrog Race ever - both for myself and the Race Series. Having competed in their Florida event in 2016 (albeit a different venue) I was curious to see what changes and improvements Bonefrog had made.
World's Toughest Mudder has come and gone, but before tackling WTM this year I took on Tough Mudder Tennessee shortly before the 24-hour party in the desert. I wasn't sure if I would go, but since it was driving distance from my house, it means I could stay in my bed and drive to the event the morning of, a rarity in OCR for me. So I decided to hang out with my fellow Legionnaires for a weekend in the mud.
