Guide to OCR World Championships – Mammoth Lakes, CA


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OCR World Championships Guide to Mammoth Lakes

2024 marks a monumental milestone for the OCR World Championships as we proudly celebrate our tenth edition! Since our inception, we’ve been at the forefront of the obstacle course racing (OCR) community, bringing together athletes from around the globe to test their limits and embrace the spirit of camaraderie.

As we gear up for this historic occasion, excitement is at an all-time high. With Mammoth Lakes, California once again hosting this extraordinary event, anticipation is building for an unforgettable experience. From the rugged terrain to the electrifying atmosphere, OCRWC 2024 promises to be nothing short of spectacular.

Join us as we embark on this journey of celebration and achievement. Here’s to a decade of pushing boundaries, forging friendships, and inspiring greatness. Get ready to write the next chapter in OCR history—see you in California!

What to Expect in Mammoth Lakes

Mammoth Lakes, California, the host of the OCR World Championships 2024 sits at 7900 ft/2,402mt elevation, in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, and is home to Mammoth Mountain, with a total elevation of 3,371m (11,059ft).

With a beautiful and well appointed village, plus a range of hotels, restaurants, and activities, Mammoth Lakes is the perfect location for the 10th edition of OCRWC.

Learn more about the location with the pre-arrival guide here, and the guide to OCRWC.

Mammoth Lakes has a huge range of restaurants, from international cuisine, to American food, quick bites to sit down meals. Discover how to keep yourself fuelled for the biggest competition of the year here.

Travel to Mammoth Lakes

The Village of Mammoth Lakes is nestled among the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, but this doesn’t mean it is difficult to get to. Serviced by a local airport just 45 minutes away, and three major international airports, there are a range of travel opportunities available to our athletes:

Fly direct to Bishop:

On Fridays and Sundays, September 6th through October 6th you can now fly direct from San Francisco (SFO) to Bishop (BIH), placing you just 45 minutes south of the stunning Mammoth Lakes.

Book your flight now at https://www.united.com/en/us

Airport Transfers and Car Rentals from Bishop

Ensure a smooth journey by making advanced reservations for taxis and shuttles between the airport and Mammoth Lakes. Book your transfer HERE.

Prefer to drive yourself? Rent a car through Enterprise at the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport (BIH) in Bishop, CA.

Fly and Drive; discover your options for driving from LAX, SFO, and RENO here

Hotels

Mammoth Lakes, California offers a huge range of lodging for every type of stay. 2024 features a new course with the start line and festival village at Canyon Lodge.

Canyon Lodge is one of the four bases of Mammoth Mountain, sitting at 8342ft/ 2500m, on the edge of the village. This means a greater range of accommodation available closer to the start line, and shorter travel distance if you choose to stay more centrally, with the centre of the village being only one mile away.

Mammoth Lakes Tourism have put together a range of information to help you discover your best option;

YOUR EVENT DAY

Once you purchase your event ticket, ensure you stay subscribed to our emails and check your inbox regularly for event updates. Your ticket will include details such as your event date, the type of event and what start wave you are running in. For everything else, check out the essentials below.

The Athlete Guide, filled with race day schedule, obstacles, and maps will be released closer to race day, plus stay connected on IG and Facebook for all the latest news.

Join our event page and chat to keep in touch with fellow athletes!

TRAINING

Get yourself event ready. Train with no limits, so you’re ready to overcome obstacles and conquer fears. OCR World Championships Training believes in practical fitness, not senseless suffering. You put in the work, we’ll bring the party.

The start line for OCRWC 2024 is at Canyon Lodge, Mammoth Lakes, which sits at 8342ft/ 2500m. Make sure you are ready for this. Learn how to best help yourself prepare for altitude here.  Discover head coach at Mammoth Running Club, Andrew Kastor’s advice on what to expect when running at high altitude. Plus how to get the most out of your body when at altitude.

Check out our range of blogs to help get you ready, including How to Train for the OCRWC: Grip Obstacles, Key stability exercises for OCR athletes to avoid overloading and imbalances, and 4 Reasons Why OCR Athletes Should Use A Running Coach.

WHAT TO WEAR

At all events, we suggest wearing trail shoes – spikes and cleats are strictly prohibited. Dress in comfortable clothing (or a costume that will make you more stylish on course) and bring dry clothing to change into once you’re done.

As this years event is being held at altitude on Mammoth Mountain, ensure you pack for all eventualities. Come race day we may see Sun, Rain, or Snow!

If it’s cold, gloves are recommended. If it’s hot, sunscreen is a necessity. No matter what the weather is, make sure to come hydrated and take advantage of water stations on course.

Check out our guide on Dealing With The Rain In OCR Events

Don’t forget the OCRWC Merch store on site where you can buy race essentials and special edition gear!

EVENT ESSENTIALS

Spectator
Spectators are welcome and free to attend OCRWC. Cheer on your friends, family, and strangers, round the toughest OCR Championship course! While there is no cost, we do ask you sign up for a spectator pass here.
What is the weekend race schedule?
The OCR World Championships schedule can be found here.
What race distances are available?
Race distances include a 100-Meter Sprint, 3K, 15K, and Team Relay formats. Qualification is required only for the Pro divisions of the 3K and 15K events. Additionally, a charity Open benefiting our charity partners will be held on Sunday directly after the Team Relay and is open to the public with no qualification necessary.
Start Times
Your wave time will be dependent on which category you are racing in, with each division running at different times. Keep your eyes on your email and online for the athlete guide which will have more information closer to race day.

Volunteer

Get a free entry to next year's race! The OCRWC couldn't happen without our dedicated volunteers. It takes a village to make the OCRWC what it is. As our way of saying thanks, all 2024 volunteers who complete an 8 hour shift will receive a transferable free entry into our next OCRWC event, or Spartan Race, plus lunch, and an OCRWC volunteer tee. Complete a 12 hour shift for an additional $60 merch credit.
Register to Volunteer