Obstacle course races haver certainly become incredibly popular in the last few years. You've maybe heard about the Warrior Dash or the Tough Mudder, or maybe you have seen advertising for the hundreds of other mud running events all over the world. But how exactly do you define an Obstacle Course Race?
While other sports such as triathlons have a regulating body, obstacle course racing and mud running don't have any kind of organization that makes regulations or defines what exactly an obstacle course race, or mud run, should entail. However, events that fall under this category often have contestants running a course with various obstacles scattered throughout, and generally a mud pit of some type is featured.
But aside from these basic principles, you will find a ton of variation on obstacle course races. There are very long and intense courses that require a great deal of training that may last for an entire day or more.
But the vast majority of races are suitable for beginners and as long as you are moderately fit, you can train for and participate in one of these events. These beginner-level obstacle course races are about 5k and have ten to fifteen obstacles for participants to dodge, climb or balance on.
Throughout the United States, there are more than 500 obstacle course races every year, and millions participate in these events. The most popular obstacle course race is the Warrior Dash, but more than 40 companies produce similar events nationally. Some of these organizations have adopted themes for their series, such as the Hero Rush, where all of the obstacles resemble something a fireman would have to de (ie: climb ladders, slide down polls).
Except for in very competitive and serious races, there is not a consequence for going around an obstacle if a participant cannot do it. In competitive events, skipping an obstacle might disqualify a participant from awards or it might incur a penalty. Some races allow participants to receive help from others to clear obstacles.
In most of the races, contestants are not overly competitive and they do not take the event too seriously. Many times they wear silly costumes and oftentimes races include a free beer and a roaring after-party for all finishers. Perhaps this is part of the reason that these events have become so popular!
Obstacle course races have attracted many people who hadn't previously cared about fitness interested in pursuing new fitness goals. Want to get your feet wet? Try it out!
While other sports such as triathlons have a regulating body, obstacle course racing and mud running don't have any kind of organization that makes regulations or defines what exactly an obstacle course race, or mud run, should entail. However, events that fall under this category often have contestants running a course with various obstacles scattered throughout, and generally a mud pit of some type is featured.
But aside from these basic principles, you will find a ton of variation on obstacle course races. There are very long and intense courses that require a great deal of training that may last for an entire day or more.
But the vast majority of races are suitable for beginners and as long as you are moderately fit, you can train for and participate in one of these events. These beginner-level obstacle course races are about 5k and have ten to fifteen obstacles for participants to dodge, climb or balance on.
Throughout the United States, there are more than 500 obstacle course races every year, and millions participate in these events. The most popular obstacle course race is the Warrior Dash, but more than 40 companies produce similar events nationally. Some of these organizations have adopted themes for their series, such as the Hero Rush, where all of the obstacles resemble something a fireman would have to de (ie: climb ladders, slide down polls).
Except for in very competitive and serious races, there is not a consequence for going around an obstacle if a participant cannot do it. In competitive events, skipping an obstacle might disqualify a participant from awards or it might incur a penalty. Some races allow participants to receive help from others to clear obstacles.
In most of the races, contestants are not overly competitive and they do not take the event too seriously. Many times they wear silly costumes and oftentimes races include a free beer and a roaring after-party for all finishers. Perhaps this is part of the reason that these events have become so popular!
Obstacle course races have attracted many people who hadn't previously cared about fitness interested in pursuing new fitness goals. Want to get your feet wet? Try it out!
About the Author:
To learn more about mud running or the ideal way to go about training for an event like this, check out Mud Run Training. If you want to see a list of events that are coming to your state check out the Obstacle Race Calendar .
