adventure activity


Obstacle


A giant slide at the Hull-timate Challenge


OBSTACLE Course Racing (OCR) is one of fastest growing mass participation activity in the world. For most people, the term OCR instantly


conjures up images of hardcore fitness enthusiasts pushing themselves to the limit as they attempt a gruelling assault course. Indeed, most of the better known OCR events are marketed in this way so it’s no surprise that the majority of OCR participants are already engaged in fitness and physical activity. However, there is another side to OCR and


operators are starting to exploit this popular activity to attract new audiences while generating that all important revenue. Enter Urban Attack and Ethics Leisure, two


organisations working together to bring OCR to the masses. The founder of Urban Attack, Rob Edmond,


is a former S.A.S soldier, best known as the resident trainer and presenter from ITV1's The Biggest Loser TV Show and trainer to sports professionals as well as celebrities and even royalty. He launched Urban Attack in 2013 to provide a comprehensive OCR service. As well as putting on OCR events, the company provides obstacle set ups and event services to other obstacle race brands, corporates and charities. In 2014, Urban Attack introduced the UK’s biggest indoor stadium obstacle race at Manchester Velodrome and has been involved in a growing number of OCR events in the UK, Ireland and Middle East ever since. Ethics Leisure are the official and exclusive


distributor and partner of Urban Attack. A multi disciplined business specialising in helping brands grow and develop, the team has more than 20 years’ experience working with some of the biggest global brands from equipment


24 pactfacilities.co.uk


Course Racing


Think OCR is just for die hard fitness enthusiasts? Think again. UK operators are using OCR to engage new audiences and drive additional revenue.


providers and facility operators to mass participation events and obstacle course races. In 2015/2016, Ethics Leisure worked with Reebok Spartan Race to establish the event in the UK. “OCR was a lot smaller back then, but we


could see a big opportunity to bring OCR to UK fitness operators. We’ve been working within the OCR sector for six years and now that it’s gone mainstream in the UK it really is big business,” says Andy Gill, founder and director of Ethics Leisure.


bringing people together One of the often overlooked attractions of OCR events is that they have very low barriers to entry. There’s no need for expensive equipment – all participants need to take part are a pair of trainers – and you don’t need to be ultra fit either. Many participants walk around the course. It’s also an activity which brings people


together, says Gill. “It’s very rare for participants of other events


like distance runs or triathlons to start and finish together, but OCR is a team experience. Participants tend to stay together during the race to help each other over the obstacles.” Edmond and Gill held 18 events last year


providing a one-stop shop for all things OCR, from concept to completion. Working with clients, they design a suitable OCR race, develop a brand for the event and then assist with marketing, sales and sponsorship to launch the new brand. They also supply the OCR equipment and manage the race on the day. “In essence, we are helping leisure providers


to exploit the boom in OCR and make the most of their facilities by putting on their own races,” says Edmond.


flexible concept OCR events vary considerably and are designed to suit each client’s location and facilities. The events can take place outdoors, in green space or urban settings, or even indoors. To illustrate the flexibility of the concept, last year, Urban Attack organised the Hull-timate Challenge, a full-scale obstacle course through the centre of Hull. The race comprised more than 30 obstacles over a 5km course, with options to extend to 7.5km or 10km. The race was organised on behalf of The Living with Water Partnership (Yorkshire Water, Hull City Council and The


Environment Agency) to raise awareness of the flood risk in Hull, which is second only to London in UK. Participants were able to experience the city in a new way, for example viewing Hull Minister from the top of a giant inflatable slide (Humbergeddon a.k.a. Take Off) and the city’s aquarium The Deep from a skip full of ice, and swinging through the Museum Quarter on a set of monkey bars. The three-day event


attracted over 3,000 competitors and 10,000 observers. Approximately, 1,200 school children also took part in the event on the


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