USOCR – The Once Promising Organization Built on False Promises

The day before the launch a teleconference was held with leaders across the OCR industry to preview the ambitious project USOCR had launched. During the hour-long conference call Sam Mansfield, CEO and co-founder of USOCR, lead the presentation outlining the development process, company goals and previewed the website. Mansfield described his plan including a USOCR storefront, Prepackaged obstacles for race companies to rent, race discounts for members, insurance coverage at races, and what intrigued most was the reimbursement for members if they cannot attend a race they previously were registered.

Source: USOCR Website

During this teleconference, Mansfield mentioned some race series specifically by name that were “on board.” A few were notable players in the OCR world. Shortly after the teleconference, Mud Run Guide reached out to three of the most notables ones Mansfield mentioned. No representatives from these races were on the original call.

BattleFrog Series – “I've never heard of them and will ask the team to investigate.“

Rugged Maniac – “Not true at all. We've never even considered being a member. In no uncertain terms, he [Mansfield] cannot use our name to promote his business.”

Terrain Racing – “We choose to use USOCR’s Esix Insurance at our events, but currently there are no other resources or programs provided by USOCR that benefit the athletes or race directors.”

For those who had watched the development of this organization, the meeting sounded like a broken record. Many of the same promises still unfulfilled years later. One person was notably missing from this teleconference, and no mention of his name was mentioned during the meeting, that was Mark Ballas, who for years had been the face of USOCR to much of the obstacle racing community.

Co-Founder Ousted

Having attended the first USOCR summit back in 2014, Mud Run Guide had a front-row seat for the twists and turns USOCR over the past few years, so our interest was piqued when we received a message from USOCR founder Mark Ballas less than 24 hours before the January press conference:

“I am no longer affiliated with USOCR or Sam Mansfield. I want to ensure that my name is never associated with this organization ever again.” – Mark Ballas

Mud Run Guide has known Mark for a few years outside of USOCR as the owner of Green Beret Challenge, he being a member of US Military Special Operations forces and has always been a credible guy. His no-nonsense personality has never been one to mince words. Mud Run Guide spoke at length about his departure from USOCR, and it became abundantly clear that this was not an amicable split at all. Based on emails, it is clear that Mansfield drove his former partner Mark Ballas from the company.

Ballas went on the record for the first time to speak about him leaving USOCR.

“From my perspective, everything sarted to change last spring (2015). I noticed a significant shift in Mansfield’s demeanor towards the project and myself, his partner. Around May/June of 2015, I was monetarily forced out of the company from an equitable partner perspective, and my $50k investment returned to me. The concern on the part of Mansfield was my ability to meet “capital call” as more money would need to be invested into the company. I might add, this was their selling point. According to Mansfield, “we don’t want to see your equity depreciated”.

As the co-founder of USOCR and a part of this venture since its inception, I was absolutely concerned about losing my equity in what I had been working so hard for and believed in. I spent 3 years working two jobs, trying to grow my own race company, devoting countless hours to USOCR, while trying to maintain my financial stability.

During this period, I reached out to a business mentor of mine and he indicated there were very simple business processes that make provisions for business partners in these exact situations. He walked me through how this worked and reaffirmed how this could be handled in a very simple fashion. He concluded our call with this last bit of advice, “Mark, if your partner is not willing to do this, this is not someone you want to be in business with”.

Fast forward a few months, Mansfield continued to slowly push me away, with less and less inclusion surrounding the daily business. What started out as daily phone calls over the course of 3 years, turned into a weekly update on things. If my military background taught me anything, it was patience, in situations like this.

The final straw was during last September, USOCR insured a brand new event. This went against all the previous sanctioning and insurance discussions since the companies formation. Original documents stated “incumbent events must have one year of validated history of events, with a measurable amount of success.” If I recall correctly, the insurance provider required the same. The program was sold on the premise that all the races being insured by USOCR would be of the highest caliber. This would ensure the insurance carrier limited their exposure and potential claims within the association. I was out of the loop the last few months on most discussions, so maybe something had changed.

However, being the author of the first few drafts of the sanctioning requirements, I know it was in there originally. This new race never took place and a cover story was developed by the race organizer about some “high winds” destroying several obstacles, etc.… this resulted with the race being postponed by the race organizer. The truth is, the course was never finished. I was on the ground and investigated the entire course, there was zero wind damage. These are the exact reasons why USOCR was developed in the first place.

There was a confrontation with the race organizer about his dishonesty. The race organizer then approached Mansfield and apparently didn’t like how I handed the situation. That was it. That was the ticket that Mansfield was looking for to finally push me out of the company.

On October 2^nd, 2015 I was placed on a “90-day probation”. This was Mansfield’s attempt to assert his benign dominance over me. Apparently, he was more willing to take the word of someone he didn’t know over the man who stood by him for 3 years. I defended him when everyone warned me about him. I was too close to the situation to really see the lies, empty promises, etc…

The “90-day probation period” came and went with zero contact from Mansfield. I never expected to hear from him again. He got what he wanted, but to go on the phone during his conference call and tell the world we had an “amicable split” is complete bullshit. He knows it and so do I.

The following day after the conference, I was called by several people and the burning question was, “Mark, why would you walk away from your 3-year project you worked so hard for?” My rebuttal was pretty simple, “Yes, why would I, on my own accord, weeks before the launch of the company, walk away from my own venture?” …

As I stated in my formal resignation letter, “I do not care to be named co-founder, previous partner or anything of the sort. Quite frankly, I am ashamed to have been your partner.”

The full content of Ballas's resignation letter dated January, 15, 2016 is reproduced in full with his consent:

Sam Mansfield:

This letter serves as my formal resignation from USOCR, United States Obstacle Course Racing, LLC. The route you consciously chose in conducting yourself has brought discredit upon you, the organization and the OCR industry.

Your ridiculous “probation” period power trip instituted against me has come and gone. No surprise that you avoided contacting me to tell me to my face that you no longer were interested in working with me. A face to face, man to man conversation would have been warranted, I believe I’ve earned it. The approach in pushing me out monetarily and finally with the cowardly Muddy Brute catalyst has brought us to this point. We both know what the real story is there and your intentions for quite some time.

I spent 3 years of my life working on this venture with you, supporting and defending you across the OCR spectrum and quite frankly, only to be duped by you. When everyone said to watch out for Sam Mansfield, he speaks from both sides of his mouth. Several others contacting me about your inconsistencies and empty promises. Or receiving a certain email touting “military experience” to a potential client, I continued to support & defend you (minus the latter, which is an entirely separate issue). The deception and less than ethical behavior actually makes me embarrassed for you. Money and a swift tongue might buy you things in this world, but the most valuable things in life cannot be purchased with any amount of currency. Those things surround integrity, honesty and respect; of which you have lost all of mine. Your conduct has not only affected me, but everyone close to me; my parents, Shanna and many others.

Why me Sam? What did I ever do to you in my life that warranted this? I am a pretty humble dude that spent most of his adult life, along with other great men providing that protective blanket, so you and your family business can continue to thrive. I don’t ask anything in return, but I am not some insignificant used rag to be tossed aside once you’re finished with it. Clearly the level of respect you have shown me over the past 7 months is a sign of your indignant personality based on greed and self entitlement.

The sad part is, everyone around me and the predominance of the OCR industry called this one a long time ago. They saw you for what you are. I was too close to you and too blind with passion for what we set out to do in 2013. There was a significant tectonic shift in USOCR about 7-8 months ago and that is when I knew this was nothing more that about money, not creating something amazing and sustainable. I have my suspicions on what took place, but it really doesn’t matter at this juncture. Two things foster within us as we grow older, wisdom and experience. I may not have led on to what I knew, but make no mistake my friend, I watched and listened intently.

I am sure you will continue on your path in your attempts to conquer the OCR industry, however keep in mind who kept your reputation afloat this long in the industry, and the person that introduced you to all of the influential people in OCR to include some of your current clients. I spent 3-years of my life assisting in the development of the company to depart on my own accord weeks before the launch of USOCR? Mark didn’t leave the company “to focus on the Green Beret Challenge”; Mark was forced out of the company.

I recall one of our last conversations which took place on Tuesday, September 29th when you said to me, “our bond is stronger than anything, no one or no thing will get in between us” … 3 days before you pushed me out of the company. I was your greatest fan and a significant conduit to the industry for you, and you threw me away. There comes a time in all of our lives when we learn valuable lessons, how we have treated others and ourselves. One day you will reflect and realize this. You call yourself a man of faith, take a moment and reflect on the story of Judas… not too far off.
I do not care to be named co-founder, previous partner or anything of the sort. Quite frankly, I am ashamed to have been your partner. I will leave you as you left me; “I am available by email.”

Mark Ballas

Future of USOCR

The number of clients working with USOCR is unknown, but estimates range from ten to twenty race organizations. Most of which are very small local events. In the process of this story, Mud Run Guide received more than one phone call from race directors about their less than positive experiences with the organization and Mansfield. These included false promises and one race director who had signed on to use the USOCR insurance, only to have Mansfield not return his emails and force the race director to find alternative insurance right before the race.

With Ballas gone and varied experiences from race organizers the cracks within USOCR have become chasms. Recently, Mud Run Guide found out that the second most visible person at USOCR, Valerie Smith, was let go from her position at the company. Shortly after her departure the USOCR Team was dissolved as well. With the two most vocal advocates for the organization gone as well as the departure of the team, USOCR has fizzled into nothing more than a string of broken promises and pie in the sky dreams.

We reached out to the once supporter Paul Jones of New England Spahtens, who attended the second conference as well as the teleconference he said,

Two years ago, a group of OCR industry professionals, elites and enthusiasts left a USOCR conference in Georgia expecting a revolution in the OCR space – and if they had delivered on those promises two years ago, this would be a very different world. But they didn't – and two years later, they launch a website and program that doesn't change much at all, if anything, for pro's, elites or enthusiasts.”

While many industry insiders would still like to see some governance over the sport of obstacle racing, it seems that USOCR will not be the company to do that. Of course, the possibility remains the phoenix could rise from the ashes, and they could regroup, however, given the history, this seems highly unlikely. 

Instead, an alternative is already taking place at the local level. Currently, the best hope for the industry, at least among smaller companies, is through initiatives like the #RACELOCAL movement started by New England Spahtens and now adapted by GORMR, Cornfed Spartans, and Lone Star Spartans. It is these groups working at the micro level that is overseeing the development of the sport for the future. It at this micro-level that the industry has seen companies work together and show a bright future for a cohesive industry.

As the sport of Obstacle Course Racing continues to grow and age, companies come and go. The future is wide open for the sport but doesn't look to include USOCR.