Over the last decade, CrossFit has proved itself to be an effective strength and conditioning program for people of various fitness backgrounds.  Whether you play rugby, run marathons, swim or participate in the sport of fitness, the very nature of CrossFit will help improve your ability in all areas of fitness within a limited time and keep you progressing over many years– but as a CrossFitter I suppose you already know this!

As Crossfitters, we all work hard to achieve our fitness goals and spend our time in the gym with aspirations to get fitter, stronger, faster. However, for many, the opportunity to put these skills to the test is somewhat limited. The CrossFit Open is the key event for athletes around the world to test their fitness and see how they compare, with only a talented few making it through to Regionals. It comes as no surprise then that some CrossFitters are seeking other modes of competition and ways to apply the skills and fitness that they work towards for countless hours in the box.

CrossFit encompasses ten general physical skills necessary for competence in well-rounded fitness.  While cardiovascular endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance and accuracy are all required for general physical preparedness, they are also necessary for Obstacle Course Racing (OCR).  The relatively new sport of OCR is increasingly in popularity as events such as Spartan, Tough Mudder, etc experience huge growth in participant numbers, both in Australia and abroad. The “Obstacle Racing Boom” has become an international phenomenon with estimates of more than 10 million participants in over 30 countries and as many as 5,000 events in 2014. With the number of events increasing every year, there are now races to suit most people, short or long distances, flat or hilly courses and everything in between.

OCR is much more than the traditional image of a mud-run, with many events turning up the heat and focusing largely on delivering new and challenging obstacles as well as ensuring a competitive aspect. In 2013, I started to compete in OCR and September 2013 saw me join the Southern Cross Spartans team to travel to the Spartan Race World Championships in September 2014 in Killington Vermont, USA. At the Spartan Race World Championships, the competitive side of OCR came into full view. There was a huge degree of hype and media attention surrounding the event with the major prize sponsor, Reebok contributing a $290 000 prize pool and NBC television widening the media exposure.

OCR events are a challenge and CrossFitters, by nature, seem to relish in the competitive aspects of these events. OCR involves a range of abilities for the individual to master to even finish a race, let alone be competitive.  Running, balance beams, rope climbs, wall climbs, sand bag carries and barbed wire crawls are all part of an average race, with others going much further.  As these are skills that the average CrossFitter already possesses, it is a natural progression for people wanting to test their fitness outside the gym environment. OCR events provide a platform to build on and improve cardiovascular fitness and endurance which may be difficult to test in an indoor environment.

Like CrossFit, OCR has a large community component based on shared hardship over the varied terrain and challenges. Whether competing as an individual or as part of a team, the test of fitness and sheer enjoyment that come from racing attracts a large number of CrossFitters to these events. It only seems natural that at any given event, both individuals and teams can be seen sporting the name of their CrossFit box. Head on over to the Obstacle Course Racing Association website www.ocra.org.au and check out the Event listing to find an upcoming race close to you.

OCR events never disappoint and I’ve now competed in many different races. Given that the Spartan Race World Championships was a 21km course, when I learnt of the 42km Spartan Ultra Beast in Sydney in late 2013, I entered myself and placed 2^nd female. While not entirely sure what’s next on the cards for me, I’d certainly like to get more involved in racing and would like to be able to challenge myself with events overseas in the future.

Fitness in 100 words even instructs us to challenge ourselves and constantly try new sports. CrossFit is constantly varied and high intensity exercise and this is much the same as running in an OCR event. OCR will test your strength, endurance and stamina and no two courses are the same so all in all, CrossFit and OCR seem to go hand in hand.

Leah Dansie Richardson , Owner, BodiFit – BodiFit@live.com