Obstacle Races

Are Tough Mudder, Spartan and the rest worth the money?

Ten years ago these were expanding rapidly around the world. Then in 2020 it all changed. Covid, so devastating for events globally, took aim at all sorts of running events, including obstacle races and suddenly it all looked very different. The sector is rebuilding but it's very different than it was. Obstacle races are great fun, especially for teams and if you've not done one before, read on...

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What are obstacle races?

Known as obstacle course racing (OCR) they are individual or mass participation events where athletes run and overcome obstacles. They vary in length considerably, from short events to ultras lasting 24 hours. The most common and most popular are from 5km to 15km. They can be held in big stadia, on the beach and in the grounds of stately homes. Rural locations are the most commonplace.

The market has undergone huge consolidation since the heady days of 2010 to 2015 when there was huge expansion around the world. The industry is still big, just not as big as it was, but is now starting to show some growth. Some of the more popular brands are Spartan Race, Tough Mudder (owned by Spartan) and Rugged Maniac.

The most popular

• Spartan Race

The various levels of the Spartan accommodate different fitness levels and ages.

Individuals will be able to work their way through the levels. Let’s check these levels out in more detail:

• The Spartan Stadion - these are 5k events in stadia, with 20 obstacles.

• The Spartan Sprint: This is a race for beginners. There are 3k and 5k races, both with 20 obstacles.

• The Spartan Super: These are 10K (6.2 miles) races with 25 obstacles.

• The Spartan Beast: This is the race that most people will aim for. It is a 21K (half-marathon) race with 30 obstacles

• The Spartan Ultra: This is a 50K (31 miles) race with 60 obstacles. This is the most challenging event in the Spartan series.

  
  

The Spartan Race is perceived to be more difficult because you cannot skip obstacles and have to work alone, while the Tough Mudder is still challenging, but you are permitted to work in a team and it is viewed as more fun as a result. It does of course depend on which distance you go for.

• Tough Mudder

There have many changes over the years to the distances offered by Tough Mudder. There are now four and they appeal to all markets.

• 5k (not available after 2023) - 13 obstacles

• 10k (not available after 2023) -20 obstacles

• 15k - The most popular and the traditional distance - 30 obstacles

• Endurance distances - various distances, all of them seriously challenging!

Tough Mudder events are designed to be run as part of a team. They are especially popular with companies looking to build team spirit. Runners can enter individually but they have to reply on others to get them through certain obstacles.

• Rugged Maniac

Operated by Ventures Endurance, who have so many big events in the US, like the Hot Chocolate Run series and a number of marathons and half marathons, they are entry level 5k events aimed at runners trying out obstacle racing for the first time. Each has 25 obstacles and there is a real emphasis on fun and celebration evidenced by the big after party at each location.

There are multiple events on both coasts and all across the US.

• Local events

There are obstacle events all over the world operated by individual businesses and not linked to any of the above. They can differ significantly in distance and difficulty, with most of them aimed at beginners. The tougher they are the fewer people want to enter and they aren't then commercially viable.

Why do one?

• Do something different

  
  

It's good to try something new and if you've done a few road races and feel that your enthusiasm is waning then these events could be a great option for you.

• Get out of your comfort zone

  
  

You might be finding road races a bit too easy and don't want to step up to the next distance due to all the extra training needed. Do an OCR instead and you'll push yourself a bit harder. That might then give you the motivation to step up a distance.

• Have fun with your mates

  
  

Doing a road race with your mates can be good fun, but they won't necessarily need you and you won't need them, unless it's for some motivation. These events are very different. You will physically need them, especially if you're doing an event like Tough Mudder that has been designed with team work in mind .

How much are they?

This is the biggest issue organisers of these events have to deal with. They are incredibly expensive to operate. Moving heavy and complex obstacles around a continent is not a cheap exercise, along with their initial build and the cost of renting venues.

As a result these events are very expensive to enter and this clearly impacts on their potential growth. In the US $150 is common and in the UK it can be £150. Compared to the equivalent distance for a road running event it is more than double, sometimes three times as much. Road race organisers have to pay to close roads and pay police, which OCR organisers don't have to worry about, but there are no obstacles to sort out with road races.

These entry fees no doubt discourage some runners from entering, but when it's a corporate event, the company pays, not the runner and this is one reason for the focus on team programmes.

Training

If you're planning a 5k you won't need to worry too much about any additional training to the miles you're already doing for a 5k road race. On many of these events you won't be running from start to finish and there will be lots of hanging around. There can be queues for the obstacles so you'll have a chance to have a breather. However, if you are looking at a 15k or above you'll need to look at some additional training. Not everyone does, but it will help.

• Strength training. - spend some time in the gym and work on upper body strength. Climbing up those walls can be difficult!

• Plyometrics - try and incorporate skipping, bounding, jumping rope, hopping, lunges, jump squats, and clap push-ups into your training programme.

• General Conditioning - In addition to running, it's good to include some cross training, like swimming and the indoor rowing machine.

These events are not cheap, but as an alternative to a road race they are worth doing at least once. Grab a group and head away for the weekend. If you like the cold and the wet go in winter, but if you're not quite ready for that look for an event in a warmer climate or stick to the summer months. There are options for everyone.

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