how big is obstacle course racing

Full Answer

How many miles is an obstacle course race?

Unlike the classic 5K or 10K, crossing the finish line on an obstacle course race requires strength, stamina, coordination and a lot of mental toughness. OCR distance tend to vary from one event to the next. In fact, they can range from three to 25 miles (or even more), with 10 to 40 death-defying obstacles.

What is obstacle racing?

Many obstacles are similar to those used in military training, while others are unique to obstacle racing and are employed throughout the course to test endurance, strength, speed, and dexterity . Races vary in distance and difficulty, often combining trail running, road running, and cross country running.

What are the obstacle course obstacles?

The course includes obstacles such as crawling under barbed wire, running through a series of hanging stun guns, carrying heavy objects, climbing over walls, and many more. There are many races all with varying degrees of obstacles.

How long should you train for an obstacle race?

Aim for three to four workouts a week, increasing training volume gradually from one week to the next. If you are a regular runner and have ample total body strength, then give yourself at least 4 to 8 weeks of specified obstacle race training. As an intermediate or advanced athlete, aim to train 5 to 6 times a week.

How long does it take to do a 5K obstacle course?

Tough Mudder 5K mixes 3.1 miles of running with 10 awesome obstacles to create a challenging, one-of-a-kind event. It's not a timed race. In fact, the average finish time is 1-1.5 hours.

How much do professional obstacle course runners make?

Even Brit Jonathon Albon — who made more than $82,000 as an obstacle-course racing (OCR) professional in 2016, including a $50,000 one-day payout on the top World's Toughest Mudder team — is getting a part-time job “to give my week some structure and help my Norwegian learning,” he told GrindTV.

What is the hardest obstacle course race?

The Spartan Death Race is arguably the most difficult obstacle course race in the world. This race is so difficult that many times, only about 10% of the participants actually finish the race. This highly unpredictable race takes place in Pittsfield, Vermont and the course varies from year to year.

How long is the army obstacle course?

The course runs south to north and is 300 feet from the first event on the south end to the ropes at the end of the course. The course is 24 feet wide and has two lanes for participants to run.

Who is the best obstacle course racer?

How much are the top racers in the obstacle racing world making? Nicole Mericle won more obstacle racing prize money that any one else in 2019. This is a massive jump from 7th on our 2018 list with $27,000.

Do Spartan racers get paid?

Elite Beast Championship (Men & Women's) Total = $100,000. The Top 20 Men and Women will all receive prize money and a Spartan Annual Race Pass.

Is Tough Mudder harder than Spartan race?

Participants also say that Tough Mudder obstacles tend to be more creative and fun, while the Spartan obstacles are more physically challenging. You're also allowed to skip obstacles during a Tough Mudder race, while doing so during a Spartan race will cost you 30 burpees.

What is the toughest race on earth?

The World's 8 Toughest RacesBarkley Marathons. Category: Navigation. ... Western States Endurance Run. Categories: Elite competition and heat. ... Hardrock 100. Category: Elevation. ... Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) Category: Elevation and elite competition. ... Marathon des Sables. ... The Rut. ... Badwater 135. ... Mount Marathon Race.

What is the easiest obstacle race?

The easiest obstacle course race is the 5k Foam Fest. This course is great for families and is filled with foam and inflatables. Some other easy obstacle course races are the Terrain Race and Epic series. These races are great for beginners or anyone wanting to try out an obstacle course race for the first time.

How tall is the rope on the tough one?

The Tough One is an obstacle that starts with a rope climb about 18 feet high, then a walk across wooden beams to climb a ladder several feet higher before the climb down the rope net.

How tall is the rope at air assault?

Instructor: Air Assault on the left, go ahead. Narrator: It starts with a 3-meter rope climb and then tests balance along with upper- and lower-body strength at a height of over 30 feet. Students wait in line with their backs to the obstacle, so they don't get a chance to observe other students' attempts.

How tall is rope on marine o course?

20′The Marine Corps Obstacle Course ends with a 20′ rope climb. At the top, recruits must touch the top log, then shout their name and Platoon. When done, recruits will run back to the beginning and jog in place until it's their time to navigate the course again.

How Many Obstacles Are In An Obstacle Course Race?

There are plenty of obstacle course races to choose from. They are all unique in their own way, so if you are an inexperienced OCR participant, it can be daunting to determine how to train.

Standard Obstacle Course Races That Have 25 Obstacles

These obstacle course races are the most standard, classic races that will give you the full OCR experience. All of these races have about 25 obstacles and are similar in length.

Obstacle Course Races That Have Fewer Obstacles

If you want the obstacle course race experience, but you are a beginner or prefer fewer obstacles, one of these races might be perfect for you.

Obstacle Course Races That Have More Obstacles Than Average

Whether you love a challenge or you have been competing in OCRS for years, a race with a lot of obstacles and a longer course might be just what you are looking for to take your obstacle course racing to the next level.

How Many Obstacles Are Right For You?

When planning to compete in an obstacle course race, one of the most important factors when choosing a race is to determine how many obstacles you are willing and able to do.

How many miles are there in an obstacle course?

Ranging from roughly three miles up to 10, obstacle course races, or OCRs, are non-traditional competition events consisting of plenty of muddy water and military-style obstacles designed to test the racer’s resolve to the breaking point.

How many obstacles are there in Spartan Race?

So regardless of your fitness level, there is always an obstacle course distance that will fit your current fitness level. Here are the main distances on the Spartan Race series: A three-mile sprint with 15 obstacles. The Super Spartan, an 8-miler featuring 20 obstacles. A 12-mile Spartan beast with 25 obstacles.

What is an OCR race?

Most OCRs mix elements of adventure racing, trail running, and gut-throbbing military-inspired obstacles—all of which can offer you a one-of-a-kind fitness experience. Unlike training for a traditional race, the ideal OCR plan touches on every aspect of functional movement.

What is an interval run?

Interval Run Workout. Obstacle race tends to take place in in full-out-efforts or intervals, typically alternating between running and the obstacles. In other words, they are like fartlek training on steroids. Build your explosive power and stamina for the OCR by doing plenty of interval running workouts.

How to make it to the finish line of an OCR event?

To make it to the finish line of an OCR event, you are going to have to develop a broad range of fitness skills. For starters, you’d need massive amounts of endurance —most OCR events are running based after all. Not only that, as a racer, you’d also need to increase total body strength.

How far can you go in OCR?

The Distance and Obstacles. OCR distance tend to vary from one event to the next. In fact, they can range from three to 25 miles (or even more), with 10 to 40 death-defying obstacles. Some of the obstacles include: Wall climbs, Greasy monkey bars, Cargo nets climbs, Rope climbs,

How long is the toughest race?

Tough Mudder. From the largest in the world, to “world’s toughest race”. Tough Mudder is a 10 to 12 miles obstacle course that’s so grueling it might have you praying on your knees for it to end only halfway through. The events take place on five continents and attract thousands of athletes from all around the world.

WHAT IS OBSTACLE COURSE RACING?

All of us have our own individual bias when it comes to how we define OCR, but I think it’s helpful to see that “OCR” really encompasses a broad spectrum of styles and events. And thus, it allows for many different types of athletes and skill sets.

BICEPS WIN RACES

Strength obstacles can generally be broken down in to two categories; absolute strength and relative strength. Absolute strength requires lifting or carrying or pushing or pulling an object of fixed weight; relative strength is based upon a person’s body weight, and would include things like hanging and climbing and traversing.

THE OBSTACLE COURSE SPECTRUM

At one end of the obstacle course racing spectrum are races like American Ninja Warrior and Alpha Warrior. They are composed of mostly upper body, relative strength obstacles, and they require very little speed between obstacles. The speed component required is the speed needed to complete each obstacle.

THE DISTANCE DRIFT

We have probably all seen the Facebook arguments on how races are getting longer and more brutal, in terms of terrain, heavy carries, etc… This year’s NBC Supers were approaching Beast length in terms of the time it took to complete the courses.

MOVING FORWARD?

One could argue that we should only talk about the existing OCR races, and that all athletes should just be judged using the current formats. I suppose that is fair for the time being. After all, that is what “OCR” is at the moment.

Is the Warrior Dash a gateway race?

Featuring the best party of the bunch, Warrior Dash isn't bashful about being considered a gateway race for folks who want to dip their toes in the waters of obstacle racing without taking a full body plunge into this genre.

Is obstacle racing created equal?

Not all obstacle races are created equal; you might need to know what you’re getting yourself into before you sign up. Do some research and check out these top 11 races.

What are the main race types?

Spartan Sprint: This timed 3.5 mile race includes 15 or more obstacles. Penalties (30 burpees or push-ups) are assessed if obstacles are skipped.

How did OCR become so popular?

Before going into trends on social media, Obstacle Course Racing has much to offer the mind and body. Many people simple love the challenge and overcoming their personal goals. Here are the main reasons why OCR is one of the fastest growing sports in the world today –

Preventing Injuries

OCR events are intense and designed to push your physical limits. Injuries can and do happen during these races, so if you’re thinking about taking on an OCR challenge, consider the following injury prevention tips:

1. Mix-up the types of run you do

Running is a key component, obviously. Keep it simple: if you don’t run at all, just try and get out and do whatever you can. Even a short one is better than none at all.

2. Go climbing

Many obstacles require grip strength and the most fun way to train for this is through climbing or bouldering. You need to learn how your body works, and what shapes it can make; many obstacles are overcome through technique, not strength.

3. Do bodyweight circuits

Circuits are really important. I like to keep mine super-simple. If I’m lost for ideas, I simply pick three exercises and do 30 seconds of each, three times. Once the 4.5 minutes are up, I’ll have a rest and pick three new exercises. Most of the exercises I do are bodyweight based.

4. Move as much as possible

Cross training is a great way to build the overall fitness required for OCR and stop the repetitive strain injuries associated with doing one form of exercise all the time. I like to do swimming, cycling, rowing, skiing and snowshoeing to complement my core training activities of running, bouldering and circuits.

5. Rope in your mates for a race

Find friends or a group of people to train and race with. Obstacle racing is best when done with others. I often do another lap of a course after competing so that I can take time to enjoy the course and other people’s company. If you’re racing alone, don’t worry.

6. Remember you're capable of more than you think

Obstacle races aren’t the sort where you can easily count the course down, kilometre by kilometre. Sometimes, you won’t even know what obstacles you are going to have to do, or how long the course will be, until the day. You may be asked to do something that you don’t think is even possible.

7. Have a recovery plan

After most races you’re going to be cold and dirty, even more so in winter, and at some there are crowds of 10,000 people to navigate. Once you start getting cold, your brain goes into meltdown and you can’t talk properly let alone take care of yourself. You can get really quite ill.

How long does it take to train for OCR?

If, however, you want to do more than just finish, you will want to dedicate six to eight weeks to OCR specific training, Kraker says. Rea Kolbl, currently ranked 3rd in the United States Spartan Championship Series, sees your main strength as a huge benefit to starting.

How long is the warrior dash?

Warrior Dash and Rugged Maniac are perfect for beginners, and they are two of the most popular events around today. Those events are 5 kilometers long and will only have two to three obstacles that better than average upper body strength.

How many people participated in OCR in 2017?

Obstacle course racing (OCR) and mud runs have been popular since 2012—nearly 500,000 people participated in 2017 according to a recent industry report. Odds are if you are a runner, many of your friends or coworkers have tried one.

What is the second most important training factor?

Grip strength is second most important training factor. Anything from hanging on a bar, pull-ups, or holding yourself up on a bar with your arms in an L position will make you stronger for those climbing or pulling obstacles. “I always train pull-ups with a standard grip or neutral grip,” Stryde says.