2023 Athlete Guide

All athletes are responsible for picking up their own race packets at the venue prior to the start of their race(s).  Additionally, please note the following:

• Individuals may not pick up participant packets on behalf of others.
• You must have a Photo ID with you to check in and pick up your race packet.
• Waivers must be signed at Athlete Check-In & Registration.
• A parent or legal guardian must complete and sign the waiver for any
  participant under 18 years old.
• Race day Athlete Check-In & Registration is available for all events.  However, athletes are strongly encouraged to collect their packets the preceding days to avoid missing their designated start time. No athletes will be permitted to start the race without collecting their packets.

All athletes start in a wave designated by the division in which they are registered and are required to start in that designated wave.  Athletes are not permitted to start in any other wave under any circumstances.  Athletes found to be in violation of this protocol will be disqualified from competition.  In addition, please note the following:

• Athletes will receive their race day timing chip, Tyvek style obstacle completion wristband and bib prior to the event at Athlete Check In. These are required to start the event. Under no circumstances will athletes be permitted to start the event without their obstacle completion wristband and bib. Lost bands will not be replaced.
• Athletes must report to the start line ten (10) minutes before their assigned start time.
• For the 15K and Team Relay Championships, the starting time for all athletes in a particular wave will be the “gun time” (i.e. if a wave starts at 9:35AM, each athlete in that wave is assigned the same starting time).

• Bag Check is available for all races and is free.
• At race completion, your race number will be used to verify your bag when you pick it up.
• Valuable items should not be checked.
• Event staff is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen items.

TBD

Spectators are free and encouraged. They must cheer loudly for their favorite athlete.

The safety of all athletes, spectators, and staff is paramount. In the event of an emergency, all parties should follow the explicit instruction of event staff.  Athletes that assist in an emergency may be permitted to begin the race again at the sole discretion of race officials.

The race will be held rain or shine.

Race events will be suspended if lightning is estimated to be within 10 miles of event.  Events will not resume until the lightning is 10 miles away from the event area.  Mountain weather can be unpredictable.  As with all outdoor events, athletes should come prepared to compete in any conditions.

TBD

There will be numerous aid stations along each course should athletes need them.  Water and nutritional supplements will be available at each of these stations. We encourage you to not underestimate your energy expenditure on the course.  If you feel you may need energy bars/gels, or other nutritional supplements, you are encouraged to bring them with you on the course.

Monetary prizes are awarded to the top finishers in the following divisions:

• Top 3 Pro Men & Top 3 Pro Women (3K & 15K Races)
• Winning Pro Men’s Team & Winning Pro Women’s Team
• Top 4 Pro Men & Top 4 Pro Women 100 Meter Sprint

Please note that only athletes that successfully complete all obstacles are eligible for titles and awards.

To compete in the Obstacle Course Racing World Championships, athletes must meet the following requirements:

• Athletes must be at least 13 (thirteen) years of age on the day of the event, and if under 18 (eighteen) years of age, must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.
• Athletes must adhere to World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code for performance enhancing drugs and prohibited substances, and consent to drug-testing by race officials.
• Athletes must adhere to all rules set forth by race administrators and officials, and are solely responsible for rule knowledge, understanding and adherence.
• Athletes are responsible for their own safety and must not attempt any obstacle that they are not comfortable in doing so.
• Athletes must always conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner towards fellow competitors, spectators, race staff, volunteers, and officials.

The OCRWC utilizes a comprehensive timing system to track athletes’ performance. As such, all athletes are required to adhere to the following guidelines:

• All athletes are required to start in their assigned wave, specific to their division and/or age group. Athletes are not permitted to start in any other wave under any circumstances. Athletes found to be in violation of this protocol will be disqualified from competition.
• Athletes will receive their race day timing chip, obstacle completion wristband and bib prior to the event at Athlete Check In. These are required to start the event.
• For the 15K and Team Relay Championships, the starting time for all athletes in a specific wave will be the “gun time” (i.e., if a wave starts at 11:15, each athlete in that wave is assigned the same starting time).

The race takes place over rugged terrain that features both natural and man-made obstacles. Athletes should note the following universal rules. These apply in all instances unless noted in the obstacle specific rules.

• Staying On-Course – It is the responsibility of all athletes to stay on-course and within the boundaries and markings set by race officials. Any athlete who gains an advantage by leaving or circumventing the course, whether intentionally or unintentionally, will be disqualified from competition.
• Athletes On-Course Pre/Post Race – Apart from specific areas designated by race officials, athletes are not permitted on the course, including any and all course obstacles, at any time other than when racing. Any athlete found on the course without prior approval from an official will be immediately disqualified from the competition.
• Course Alterations – Athletes are not permitted to modify the course markings or obstacles or at any time.
• Bypassing Obstacles – Completion of all obstacles is mandatory to be eligible for podium spots and race officials reserve the right to disqualify any athlete deemed to have avoided any obstacle(s) intentionally. There are no alternatives to obstacles such as burpees, push-ups, penalty loops or other physical penalties.
• Obstacle Failure (Initial) – In the event an athlete fails an obstacle, he/she will be permitted additional attempts, provided he/she is not blocking the path of another athlete who is attempting to complete the obstacle for the first time. In addition, certain obstacles will have dedicated retry lanes for athletes making additional attempts. Athletes are required to utilize these lanes unless directed otherwise by a race official.
• Obstacle Failure (Final) – In the event an athlete is ultimately unable to complete an obstacle, he/she must surrender their obstacle completion wristband to a race official. Athletes losing their band will still be allowed to continue racing and are considered finishers with a finishing time but are not eligible for podium placement prizes/awards and will be designated as Did Not Complete (DNC) in post-race results.
• Completion Bells – All obstacle completion bells must be struck only by hand.
• Blocking – At no time are athletes allowed to block or intentionally impede the progress of another athlete. Athletes found to be excessively infringing on another athlete’s ability to progress may be subject to disqualification by race officials.
• Forward Progress – Athletes are required to maintain forward progress on all obstacles and throughout the course and every effort must be made to not obstruct a fellow competitor. If an athlete is no longer making forward progress, the official, at his/her discretion, will provide a warning for the athlete to begin making forward progress. Failure to make forward progress may result in obstacle failure, requiring an obstacle restart/retry. Slower athletes are required to yield to approaching athletes.
• Outside Help – During the race, except for medical emergencies, athletes may not receive outside assistance (including receiving nutrition or equipment from any other source other than a fellow competitor who is currently racing on the course). This does not include verbal instruction or support from coaches or supporters.
• Obstacle Help – Athletes may not receive any physical help completing any obstacle from fellow athletes (except for portions of the Team Relay event).
• Passing Etiquette – Slower and faster athletes must demonstrate mutual respect during closely spaced/ single-track areas of the course. Faster athletes are encouraged to call out “ON YOUR LEFT” or similar when approaching slower athletes. The athlete being passed must permit enough space to allow the approaching athlete to safely pass.
• Ground Contact – No part of an athlete’s body may touch the ground while traversing through an obstacle that requires movement through hanging elements.
• Frame Contact – For obstacles that require athletes to move through, around, over or under an obstacle’s frame (e.g. scaffolding or rig beams) athletes may not use the frame for assistance in completing the obstacle. Incidental contact is permitted.
• Obstacle Start – Athletes begin an obstacle by entering at the designated starting point. For obstacles with a designated starting line, athletes must start from behind this line before touching an obstacle element.
• Bypassing Obstacle Elements – There is no requirement to touch the first or last hanging elements on any rig. Athletes are permitted to bypass hanging elements as long as they strike the bell.
• Obstacle Completion – Athletes complete an obstacle by touching a completion bell, successfully landing on a designated surface (platform, bar, etc.), landing beyond an indicator such as a marked line, or by passing the structural end of that obstacle.
• Single Lane – On rig-type obstacles, athletes must stay in one lane and only use the elements of the lane they began in. Crossing over to or touching elements from any other lanes is prohibited. NOTE: During the Team segment of the Team Relay, all team members must use the SAME lane so as to not block other teams from the obstacle.

Athletes are provided with a Tyvek-style obstacle completion wristband which is required to be worn on their wrist. Athletes are required to display this wristband to gain entry to the start corral. Under no circumstances will an athlete be permitted to wear this wristband elsewhere on the body or start their race without it.

Upon finishing the race, athletes who successfully complete all obstacles are required to confirm their completion results through the following steps:

• Immediately upon crossing the finish line, athletes who have completed all obstacles and retained their intact obstacle completion wristband must enter a clearly marked “100% completion” zone as directed by signage and race officials.
• Athlete wristbands will then be removed by an official and athletes will be awarded with this year’s commemorative 100% obstacle completion wristband.
• Athletes who leave the finish corral without completing this step shall be designated as non-obstacle completion finishers.

Course cut-off times are as follows.  Any athlete not finishing within these parameters will be considered DNF and not listed in official results:

• 3K Championships: 3 hours
• 15K Championships: 5 hours
  • Note: Athletes will not be permitted to advance past the 2014 Rig after 5pm.
• Team Relay Championships: 3 hours

Athletes are encouraged to express their individuality, sports team, state or nation apparel while being appropriately dressed for an endurance racing event. Please note the following:

• Glasses are allowed but discouraged for safety reasons.
• Hydration packs are allowed.
• Beyond shoes and gloves or protective gear (e.g. elbow pads, compression sleeves, buffs or knee pads), clothing/personal equipment may not be used to assist in the completion of an obstacle and all equipment must be used for its intended manufacturer’s intention. Hand or feet grip aids such as pine tar, liquid chalk, metal studded shoes, metal spiked footwear or equivalent are strictly prohibited.
• Alcohol, weapons, knives, firearms, explosives, glass bottles, and other dangerous objects are not permitted on the course.
• All athletes must exit the course with all items they brought on the course unless they have been properly disposed of in receptacles on the race course. Littering during the race may result in disqualification from competition.

We are committed to leaving our host venue litter free.  Any items you deem necessary to take with you at the start of the race, must be discarded appropriately in trash bins located at aid stations throughout the race or carried out with you at the end of the race.  These items might include, but are not limited to, clothing, nutrition packaging, hydration packaging, etc. Any athlete found in violation may be disqualified by race officials.

Athletes in the OCRWC event are required to adhere to the 2021 World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code. Specifically, all competitors may be subject to testing for performance enhancing drugs and must consent and adhere to all protocols and procedures as instructed by race officials.

On-site sample collection will be conducted at the event by the National Center for Drug Free Sport, Inc. (Drug Free Sport™), a premier provider of drug testing services. Samples collected will be tested at a WADA accredited lab for in-competition banned substances.

Athletes failing to adhere to this policy or found in violation of the WADA code will be subject to penalties such as disqualification, forfeiture of prizes, and banishment from future competition.

Any assessed penalty may be appealed. Athletes wishing to appeal a penalty, or any other ruling, must submit their appeal to the OCRWC officials within 48 hours of the event via email at results@ocrwc.com. In the event of an appeal, race officials will conduct a thorough review of the ruling and issue its findings within 72 hours.

Multiple rows of waist-high wooden structures requiring athletes to step or jump over in hurdle fashion.

Ten foot high wooden structure with alternating boards and openings for hand and foot holds requiring athletes to climb up the front and over the top of the confidence climb and down the opposite side.

A portion of course requiring athletes to travel underneath suspended wires and structures.

A rig-type obstacle with suspended bars that utilizes removable hand-held hooks. Athletes must use two hand-held hooks to traverse across the bars to strike a completion bell before returning both of their-hand held hooks to the designated area.

A rig-style obstacle with various hanging elements to be used as hand-holds. Athletes must traverse across various elements that swing, sway, and rotate to strike a completion bell.

A rig-style obstacle with various hanging elements to be used as hand-holds. Athletes must traverse across various elements that swing, sway, and rotate to strike a completion bell. Use of feet is permitted on this obstacle.

A sloped low rig-style obstacle with various hanging elements to be used as hand-holds. Athletes must traverse across ladder elements to strike a completion bell. Use of feet is permitted on this obstacle.

A 10-foot high wooden structure with hanging ropes. Athletes may jump up or use the rope to climb onto the lower board and then climb over and descend to the opposite side of the structure.

A rig-type obstacle with multiple types of hanging elements. Athletes will traverse the entire length of the obstacle to strike a completion bell. Use of feet is permitted on this obstacle when foot rings are equipped.

Athletes must carry two sand-filled canvas bags through a designated course before returning them to a designated area.

Walls of various heights and angles requiring athletes to climb over and reach the opposite side. Use of feet is permitted on these obstacles.

An A-frame obstacle with ascending and descending rings for athletes to traverse using their hands only. Athletes must traverse from the beginning to strike a completion bell. Athletes are permitted to skip rings or hanging elements.

An V-frame obstacle with descending and ascending elements for athletes to traverse. Athletes must traverse from the beginning to a valley and then back up to strike a completion bell. Athletes may not place their feet in rings. Additionally, incidental contact with hay that doesn’t advance an athlete’s forward progress is permitted.

Athletes must carry TWO Steelhoses around a designated course to return the same area where it was picked up.

Athletes must carry ONE Steelhose around a designated course, including walls, crawls and balance beams, to return the Steelhose to the same area where they were picked up. Athletes are not permitted to thrown their Steelhoses.

A rig-type obstacle with multiple types of hanging elements. Athletes will traverse the entire length of the obstacle to strike a completion bell. Use of feet is strictly prohibited.

A pole/momentum-based obstacle featuring pivoting poles. Athletes must traverse the length of the obstacle using their hands and feet only the designated boards and poles to strike a completion bell.

A rig-type obstacle featuring unique hanging elements that require placing hand-held rods inside each element to traverse. Athletes must traverse across the length of the obstacle by placing hand-held rods inside hanging elements and strike a completion bell before returning hand-held implements to the designated area.

A rig-type obstacle featuring skull-shaped climbing holds and various hanging elements. Athletes must traverse the entire length of the obstacle using hands only on elements to strike a completion bell.

A rig-type obstacle similar to monkey bars featuring long suspended, swinging trapeze bars. Athletes must traverse through the obstacle to strike a completion bell.

A balance beam style traverse in which athletes use separate traverse bars for hands and feet.

A rig-type obstacle featuring long suspended, swinging trapeze bars. Athletes must use momentum to traverse through the obstacle to strike a completion bell.

An obstacle featuring multiple platform jumps and various traverse elements. Athletes must traverse through the obstacle and strike a completion bell.

A vertical structure with hanging climbing ropes with a completion bell at top. Athletes must climb up the length of the vertical rope, strike the completion bell and then descend carefully to the ground.

A rope traverse requiring athletes to start before a marked line and traverse the obstacle without touching the ground to strike a completion bell.

A 14-foot high structure with Wreck Bags attached to ropes requiring athletes to raise the Wreck Bag to a designated point before slowly lowering the Wreck bag to the ground.

Wooden balance beams followed by low rig style traverse elements. Athletes must traverse and strike a completion bell.

A wooden wedge-shaped structure featuring angled, gapped boards. Athletes must traverse the gaps between angled vertical boards without touching the ground to strike a completion bell.

Snaking monkey bars that athletes must either traverse to strike a completion bell while remaining in their color coded lane (blue or black). Lache or hand-over-hand techniques are permitted.

Hurdle style walls requiring athletes to climb over and under to traverse.

A metal obstacle featuring parallel bars and pegged A-frame traverses. Athletes must start before the designed start line and exit beyond the marked completion line. Walking on the parallel bar sections of this obstacle is not permitted.

A rig-style obstacle with various hanging elements to be used as hand-holds. Athletes must use only their hands to swing from various elements that swing, sway, and rotate to strike a completion bell.

A rig-style obstacle with various hanging elements taking athletes through lanes that require changes in direction and creative maneuvering. Athletes must traverse through the obstacle and may utilize structure panels to strike a completion bell.

A rig-style obstacle with hanging ropes of various lengths that athletes must traverse to strike a completion bell.

A hoist-style obstacle requiring athletes to twist a bar apparatus to raise a suspended weight to a designated point before slowly lowering the weight to the ground in controlled fashion.

An A-frame style cargo net traverse. Use of the side of the structure is not permitted.