Obstacle racing

Obstacle course racing (OCR) is a sport in which a competitor, traveling on foot, must overcome various physical challenges that are in the form of obstacles. Mud and trail runs are combined and the races are designed to result in mental and physical collapse. Obstacles include, but are not limited to, climbing over walls, carrying heavy objects, traversing bodies of water, crawling under barbed wire, and jumping through fire. 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 both distance and challenge level, combining trail running, road running, and cross country running. With race venues typically in large cities, organizers encourage athletes of all types to participate. All Obstacles were introduced into Cross Country Running at Tough Guy, recorded on video 1989 - 2007. Most signature obstacles were actually created by Mr Mouse. According to the Los Angeles Times in 2012, the number of events—typically all-day festivals—rose rapidly. In accordance with the sub-culture's fast rate of growth, the Obstacle Race Magazine was launched.

From the stadion, the oldest event of the Olympic Games, to the contemporary era steeplechase, obstacles of some sort have been presented to athletes for thousands of years. The concept of using obstacles for an endurance event is a contemporary phenomenon. It is widely thought that Tough Guy is the oldest obstacle course race, with the first race in 1987. All video recorded 1989 thro 2009

In 2011, approximately one million people registered to participate in obstacle racing events in the United States (US), 4.5 million in 2015 and by 2016 the number is estimated to be 5.6 million.

Spartan Race founder Joe Desena has a clear goal of getting the sport to the Olympics and tapped adventure racer Ian Adamson for the task in 2014. The International Obstacle Sports Federation is the world governing body for Obstacle Racing and related sports.

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