Undeniably, the most anticipated event of not just the month but the entire year so far took place in February in AlUla with the Tough Mudder Infinity, boasting the largest prize purse in OCR history. This event attracted the best of OCR (Obstacle Course Racing), including the return of the legendary Jon Albon (UK, 1), who couldn’t resist the allure of an almost guaranteed payday. Albon’s extraordinary feat of covering 100km in the 8-hour desert race thrilled long term fans who have missed his presence in OCR. This earned him the top spot in the first of 2024’s monthly rankings, something few of us ever expected to see again!
Following closely behind Albon was Ryan Atkins (CAN, 1), who also managed to secure 100km, finishing approximately 23 minutes after Albon.
Mark Batres (USA, 3), another favorite for the top spots, showcased his prowess by achieving 100km in 8 hours and 35 minutes, securing the third position in AlUla and in February’s men’s rankings. Batres, known for his record-breaking performance of 115 miles at WTM in 2021, proved his consistency and determination on the AlUla course.
Alisa Petrova (RUS, 1) stood out in the women’s division with a strong performance in the competition, covering an impressive distance of 90km. Despite tough competition, Petrova managed to secure the first-place finish with steady determination.
Kris Rugloski (USA, 8), known for her impressive record at World’s Toughest Mudder, completed 80km in 8 hours and 31 minutes, finishing just 10km behind Petrova. Rugloski’s performance earned her the 7th position overall and 8th in the rankings.
Following Petrova, Nicole Mericle (USA, 2) and Janka Pepova (CH, 3) also covered 80km, securing the second and third positions respectively, earning them the same in our rankings. However, it was Petrova’s consistent performance and endurance that ultimately secured her the top spot in the competition.
Notably, the team leaderboards were dominated by all-male teams, leaving limited spots for other competitions in our rankings. However, Annie Dube (USA, 4) managed to secure her place in the top 10 World OCR rankings thanks to her first-place finish at the inaugural USNS Spartan Race in Jacksonville.
In the two person team event, Gregory Basilico (FRA, 5) and Thibault Jean (FRA, 6) clinched the first position. Basilico’s additional achievement of securing the fastest lap crown earned him a slightly higher spot in the rankings.
Ida Mathilde Steensgaard (DEN, 9) demonstrated her speed and skill by winning the fastest lap in the women’s event, securing the 9th position in the rankings.
The Tough Mudder Infinity event in AlUla showcased the resilience, determination, and skill of the top OCR athletes, setting the stage for an exhilarating season ahead.
