The race itself is a 5K trek looping through woods and fields and back to the main event area. This race is for those who like to run. It weaves through a variety of terrains but the obstacles are few and far between. Racers kept asking whether the fallen trees were obstacles or just the trail itself. The wooded section was the best part with hill climbs, ropes, mud pits and some over unders.
The overall course itself was touted as "Mud Kings", but I feel I could get muddier on my training runs! We began by wading through a large/rectangular "pool" before running over a small mound of dry dirt. The course then progressed to some other inflatable obstacles, and some fixed ones. The course itself was relatively flat with only one decent hill to ascend, and then a watered tarp to slide down upon the return. A 6' wall, and some angles walls with ropes were present. To that point, nothing too challenging. We then crawled through a few tubes, again with dry dirt in them, and small dirt piles to traverse prior to them.
Wow, with three races completed in a one week period, it was a hectic schedule so we decided to end with a FUN race where we did not have to take ourselves too seriously. Dressed in tutus and animal hats we shuffled off towards Buffalo to play in the foam.
I am just an average Joe. I can run 3 miles on a good day. I don’t lift weights, use the machines at the gym or otherwise train seriously. But I love a challenge and fell in love with OCR immediately. My philosophy is: I may not be the best runner, but I WILL do all the obstacles.
Muckfest was a fun course, but it rained ALL DAY.
The IORF has been launched by Spartan Race in consultation with a number of industry leaders to address these concerns, establishing unified rules of competition, safety protocols and admission processes for member organizations meeting the IORF’s standards of excellence. In addition to enhancing safety and quality control standards across the obstacle racing industry, the IORF intends to focus on member benefits both at races and beyond, including establishing an international ranking system. Upon achieving certain operational milestones and 501(c)(3) (non-profit) status, which it is currently working towards, the IORF will operate independently. The Federation’s website is currently soliciting interest from prospective judges, officials, athletes and others within the space and will more fully launch later in the year.
