Stop the Music (Warning: This is a Rant)

 

I've noticed an increasing and disturbing trend at some obstacle races this year, and it really stuck out at September's Vermont Beast. And it needs to stop. Now.

End Spectator Fees at OCR Events

It costs a lot to be an obstacle racer. From your 5K mud runs up to your Tough Mudders and Spartan Beasts, registration costs are no small potatoes. On top of that, you get hit with plenty of other fees: mandatory insurance fees, parking fees, bag check fees, etc.

But probably the most distasteful fee charged by OCR companies is the spectator fee.

Spectator fees for adults at many of these events are usually $20 or more. (Kids often pay $10; such a bargain). It is a pure cash grab where companies that are already making a huge profit off each event are picking the pocket of their loyal customers.

Interview with Spartan Champ Jon Albon

One of the coolest things about being a journalist covering obstacle racing is I get to interview some of the best athletes in the world. Here is the interview I did with newly-crowned Reebok Spartan World Champ Jon Albon for Mud & Obstacle:

http://www.mudandobstacle.com/article/meet-man-beat-beast-spartan-world-championship-128

Interview with Spartan Women's Champ Claude Godbout

This blog has taken somewhat of a hiatus since early summer as I've struggled to shape it's identity. My obstacle racing writing efforts this year have largely been geared toward Mud & Obstacle Magazine, who I'm a contributing editor for and have been writing both magazine articles and blog posts for them.

TOUGH MUDDER NEW ENGLAND: A DAY OF EPIPHANIES

I love mountains because mountains tell the truth.

You can slay mileage on the treadmill, set new PRs on each Crossfit routine, conquer 50 miles on a flat Tough Mudder course that calls itself the "World's Toughest." And along the way you might convince yourself that you're in really good shape. That you're a beast. That you can just waltz onto any obstacle course on two day's notice and crush it. Even crush it multiple times.

And then a course like Mount Snow, Vermont brings you back to reality like a punch in the face.

PAK'S OCR ADVICE

Two-time World's Toughest Mudder champ Junyong Pak recently made a few videos with Coach Up giving viewers tips on how to tackle common obstacles such as the rope cross, barbed wire crawl and rope climb. Check them out here:

RANT AGAINST OCR HATERS

I was listening to a running podcast the other day when the conversation among the hosts and guest - a marathoner - briefly turned to mud and obstacle racing.

"Oh, don't get me started on that," said the guest, followed by laughter all around, a few quick comments about how he couldn't stand it and then they moved on.

I know I should be all zen about haters. I know "haters gonna hate" and "sticks and stones" and "I'm gonna let it roll off," etc. Well, bullsh#t.