Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (2024)

2024 REGISTRATION IS OPEN. BUY YOUR TICKET NOW REGISTER NOW

Home

Home

Back to blog

You’re taking on your very first Obstacle Course Race, whether it’s a Spartan, Tough Mudder, or the 5K Charity Open at the OCR World Championships. Maybe you’re running elite and hoping to compete, or perhaps you’re running with a group of friends for charity.

Chances are you’re probably a little bit nervous, and wondering what’s going to happen. There’s plenty information out there on what kit to wear or how you should train, but what can you actually expect to happen on the day?

There are different events out there from the fun team style of Tough Mudder, to the competitive Spartan. Regardless of this, you make it what you want. Even if an event isn’t timed, you can push yourself as hard as you feel like. If it is, it doesn’t mean it’s a competition. You can have as much fun and silliness as you like, and take your time. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re doing it wrong

Obstacles

Well…of course. But let’s unpack it a little bit.

One of the beautiful things about OCR’s is how the obstacles are often kept secret until the last minute, so you’re never quite sure what you’ll be facing. While there are sometimes surprise obstacles, there are often some key ones that tend to appear.

Crawls

Getting down and dirty crawling under barbed wire or a cargo net. A quick and easy obstacle that many races like to make use of.

Monkey bars/Rings/ Rig

In recent years upper body obstacles have become incredibly popular, these are something that most newbies struggle with. I certainly did for years, and there are still many I can’t do! Be aware they will feature, give them a go but don’t stress if you can’t do them, you’d be amazed how many people can’t! If you want to train for them check out this training plan.

Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (5)

Carries

Atlas balls, buckets, sandbags, wreck bags. Different brands make use of different shapes and sizes of carry, and for longer races, expect more and longer carries. These can be really tricky, especially the bucket carries. If you suffer from recurring back problems don’t be a hero! Partner up with a friend and take your time, or request a penalty. If you’re there for fun it’s not worth getting injured for.

Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (6)

Walls

4ft, 6ft, 8ft…even higher! These are great to do in a team or group, give each other a leg up, and help each other out.

Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (7)

Water Heavy Obstacles

Many events include water heavy obstacles, these can range from full immersion dunks, to trudging through lots of mud… dress appropriately for this!

Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (8)

Mud

Mud glorious mud! I know some people who hate the muddy events because it makes their clothes smelly and clogs up the washing machine after (FYI, always rinse your kit several times in the bath after a muddy event).

For me this is where they get really fun. Mud adds to the difficulty of events, wet and muddy obstacles are a lot tougher than bone dry ones, but it also adds to the enjoyment. There’s nothing better than getting filthy and muddy, slipping around and acting like big kids again. It’s a real chance to let go and just have fun.

Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (9)

Running

No I’m not trying be facetious, promise! “Running” is a key feature of obstacle course races, but don’t panic. Before my first event a friend described it well. “Don’t worry,” she said. “You only usually have to run about 500-800m until the next obstacle, so it’s not like you’re running 5km non stop”.

Of course, you have to DO the obstacles, but they are a pleasant break in the running, which let’s be honest, most of us don’t love. There’s no need to be scared of the running, you can walk it if you want, but do make sure your body can handle the chosen distance first. Even walking 10 miles is tough. My advice, don’t be scared, but do be realistic.

Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (10)

Prepare to get naked

Now we’ve done the really obvious ones, let’s look at the less obvious aspects. Most races don’t have specific changing areas, (even if they do, they tend to be gender specific but communal). If you do more than one event you’ll quickly get used to stripping down by your car or somewhere in the event village. The important thing is getting out of wet and muddy clothes, and getting warm and dry quickly.

You’ll see lots of people wearing changing robes, but a dressing gown can go a long warm to keep you warm and dry. Pack loose clothes like sweats, a cotton tee, and a hoodie to get changed into. Don’t forget clean socks and underwear, a possibly a woolly hat. Take a garbage bag to shove all your grubby clothes into.

Lots of Fun

Last but most certainly not least… expect fun! Most people will look at obstacle course races and see the elites, the competitors, and people taking it really seriously (which is still really good fun). If that’s not your bag, don’t worry. The majority of entrants are first timers, or newbies having fun. I still get nervous on the start line so I know how scary it is, but trust me, no one is there to judge how good you are, or to laugh at you.

For most of us this is a fun weekend activity with friends or family. The most important thing is to loosen up, and enjoy it. It’s an amazingly liberating sport.

Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (11)

My top tips:

There are always things we forget at events, but here are my top tips to make obstacle course race day a bit easier:

  • Check the address before you’re ready to set off. Save it to your phone or GPS in advance so you’re not panicking the morning of the event.
  • Check what you’re asked to bring, it may be a printed off waiver, or certain ID.
  • Arrive in good time, parking and registration can take a while. Give yourself at least an hour, but preferably more.
  • Bring cash for parking, bag drops, and food/drinks.
  • Don’t take anything unnecessary; credit cards you don’t need, jewelry, or anything else valuable. You don’t want to wear jewelry out on the course and you don’t want to leave it in bag drop, just for your own peace of mind.
  • Check out this article about post race recovery for what to do when you’re done

Francesca Chiorando

Francesca is an avid obstacle course racer, TV host, and blogger at Mud Is My Makeup. Follow her Instagram at@MudIsMyMakeUpand@FranChiorando.

Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (12)

How to Prepare for the OCRWC

Not sure if you're ready for the OCRWC? You will be with these tips from the athletes at OCRWC HQ!

Download Now

Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (13)

Written By

Francesca Chiorando

Francesca started running OCR in 2013, and after devouring all the information she could find on the sport, she began writing about it herself. With OCR quickly gaining traction in the UK where she lives, she launched her own site, Mud Is My Makeup, in 2014.

Since then she has gone on to produce content for publications including OCR Europe, Mud Run Guide, Mudstacle, Obstacle Race Magazine, and Obstacle Mud Runner Magazine, as well as OCRWC.

Francesca loves exploring every aspect of the sport as much as she loves to explore the courses themselves. Very much an average athlete, her goal has always been to encourage the everyday person to get muddy and active and discover how much joy suffering out on a course can bring.

Her first experience of OCRWC was the epic Blue Mountain in 2016, although she’d been following the event from the early days. The whole atmosphere, set up, and experience had her hooked and she knew that this was an organization that she not only wanted to support, but be involved with, and to help bring the spirit of OCRWC to a wider audience.

Related Articles

Community/ News

< 1 min read

OCR World Championships Announces OCR Gives Back as Charity Partner for 10th Edition Event

The OCR World Championships (OCRWC) is proud to announce OCR Gives Back as the official charity partner for its highly-anticipated…

Read More

Community/ News

< 1 min read

Spartan Race Announces Acquisition of OCRWC

Preeminent OCR Event Scheduled for October 5th-9th in Mammoth Lakes, CA Spartan Race, the world’s foremost obstacle course racing (OCR)…

Read More

Community

< 1 min read

Spectators at OCRWC 2023, Mammoth Lakes

Athletes? Check Volunteers? Check What else makes The OCR World Championships one of the best OCR event weekends out there?…

Read More

Need more info?

We’re here to help. Drop us a note and a team member will get back to you.

contact us

slatnt

News Signup

Stay up to date with OCR news, rankings, insider info and more.

Beginners guide: What to expect at your first obstacle course race (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Pres. Carey Rath

Last Updated:

Views: 6343

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Pres. Carey Rath

Birthday: 1997-03-06

Address: 14955 Ledner Trail, East Rodrickfort, NE 85127-8369

Phone: +18682428114917

Job: National Technology Representative

Hobby: Sand art, Drama, Web surfing, Cycling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Leather crafting, Creative writing

Introduction: My name is Pres. Carey Rath, I am a faithful, funny, vast, joyous, lively, brave, glamorous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.