According to the Obstacle Race Association, 250,000 bodies enter 150 events each year.\u00a0 The event offerings have come a long way since 1987 when Billy Wilson, a former soldier, created the first obstacle race (later known as Tough Guy). His course was regarded as a brutal cross-country run with haphazard obstacles (think billowing bales of straw to leap over). The purpose of the course was to make competitors reflect on the horrors of war, and the challenge got competitors to experience the addictiveness of fear. So, how are smaller obstacle course races trying to stand out in this crowded marketplace?<\/p>\n
Obstacle race company, Wolf Run, pitched itself up against the big guys \u2013 Spartan and Tough Mudder. Wolf Run started small and was over the moon to have 650 runners for its first event. After just 18 months, it had reached 6,000 runners, and now the Wolf team averages more than 9,000 runners. The Wolf Run has been voted the best Obstacle Course Race in the UK.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe reinvested everything we could into better organisation and better-quality obstacles,\u201d <\/em>begins course director, William Moreton. \u201cEach time people arrived for an event, they could see that we were committed. Our aim has always been to create a challenging yet inclusive event that has something to test the best and still be achievable for first-time runners.\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n There is no denying that this is fast becoming a saturated market. Moreton\u2019s Wolves have positioned themselves away from the \u2018extreme\u2019 perception of obstacle racing. \u201cBeing seen as extreme, I think puts a lot of people off entering. We are happy to welcome first timers \u2013 we aren\u2019t just a 10K, we are a community, and that is our proudest achievement and what we feel sets us apart,\u201d<\/em> says Moreton.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Event company, Rough Runner, plunged into the obstacle course race scene inspired by game shows such as Takeshi\u2019s Castle<\/em>, Total Wipeout<\/em>, Gladiators<\/em>, and Ninja Warrior<\/em>. \u201cRough Runner is a new breed of event,<\/em>\u201d says the Rough Runner event team. \u201cWe\u2019re moving away from the military-style event that everyone else seems to be doing and bringing something new to the table. If, like us, you have always wanted to experience the game show obstacles, now is your chance!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Man vs Lakes, Lake District <\/strong><\/p>\n 21 July 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cross the quicksand of Morecambe Bay and go north through mountainous country to the foot of England\u2019s most famous lake. Head into the hills and forests and immerse yourself in the lake itself, tackling short wades, swims, slides, jumps and a floating assault course. Rack up a whopping 3,000ft ascent before a \u2018Swallows and Amazons\u2019 rope swing.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Entry: \u00a3145 (UNTIL END OF APRIL)<\/p>\n ratrace.com<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 11 August 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0 by Epic Action Imagery (epicactionimagery.com)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n The Mudnificent 7 is the UK\u2019s obstacle course racing (OCR) summer festival. Not only will you experience a course designed by seven different race organisations, but you\u2019ll also visit the UK\u2019s biggest OCR expo at the same time. Check out the latest footwear, training techniques and nutrition info.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Entry: from \u00a350 plus booking fee (spaces available from some Midlands charities)<\/p>\n Mudnificent7.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 18-19 August 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Rough Runner is a challenging but fun-focused course with a variety of obstacles along the way, each inspired by game shows such as Total Wipeout<\/em> and Gladiators<\/em>. Set over a choice of three distances \u2013 5km, 10km and 15km \u2013 expect sweeper arms, giant pigeon battles and the travellator.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Entry:\u00a0 from \u00a340<\/p>\n roughrunner.com<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 2-3 June and 1-2 September 2018<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Naturally does it. Think icy lakes, thick mud and vast woodlands. It\u2019s a hardcore 10K; run in a pack or as a lone wolf. You will tackle a series of tough obstacles, both man-made and natural. You\u2019ll run, crawl, jump, wade and swim through the course.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Entry: \u00a345<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Training tips from the Wolves<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"wolf](\"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Wolf_Run_Sept_17_PR_Sat_020917_AP003-2.jpg\")
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The game show\u00a0 <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rough Runner\u2019s advice for first timers:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Events on the horizon<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The Mudnificent 7, Warwickshire <\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Mudnificent](\"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Mudnificent.jpg\")
<\/strong><\/p>\nRough Runner, Scotland <\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"Rough](\"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Rough-Runners.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nThe Wolf Run<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.fitpro.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Today-scaled.jpg\")
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