OCR Europe Sports Magazine October 2014 | Page 22

RACE REVIEW: D12 UK OCR CHAMPIONSHIPS There was a warm up from a local fitness club (personally I hate these, but not going to knock off any points for it as it was very thorough) before a countdown, and then we were off!! ! Marked Path! A very clearly marked course, plus lots of marshalls at each obstacle to guide you on your way - no chance of getting lost!!  ! Parking! We didn't drive, but did get a cab which dropped us at the car park which was a few minutes from the event village. There was no charge to park, and lots of good flat space (no bogs to get stuck in!)! ! Course! Mainly flat (shame as I like hills!) through fields, woodlands, streams, boggy mud and even a motorbike racing track! The day was ”Dirty Dozen makes their obstacles BIG! ” Check In! Easy peasy! Tiny queue that moved fast. One envelope was given to each runner with a race number personalized with your name (first time I've seen such a thing!), bag drop tag, wrist tag (to get your bag) and your timing chip. The staff were super friendly. Waiver forms were available to sign for those who had forgotten them.!  ! Bag Check! Efficient and secure using the tags for ID – no chance of anyone getting behind the desk and into the tent.!  ! Start! Brilliant! They had an MC who introduced the race, ran through the rules (I was in the elite wave so there were extra rules, such as getting no help on obstacles and having to do burpees if you failed one), then handed over the The Beard (their charismatic Race Director) for a chat before it all kicked off. hot which made the bits through the open fields, with recently cut grass lining the track, quite unpleasant, but it was broken up with some sections through woodland. There were a few long stretches without any obstacles, which weren't well suited to the non-runner, but before you knew it you were faced with another m a m m o t h obstacle to get over so the pain was soon forgotten.!