“LIFE ISN’T ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF, IT’S ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF”| ELLEN MEEKINS

The future looks bright for OCR as it is a contender for the Olympic Games: The Mission of FISO is to promote the Obstacle Sports throughout the world, to lead Obstacle Sports, and meet the requirements as specified by the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee.

British athlete Ellen Meekins’ first foray into Obstacle Couse Racing (OCR) began when she and her brother, Oliver, entered a Tough Mudder competition for fun in 2018. In preparation for the Tough Mudder, the Meekins siblings decided that they would also enter a Spartan Race not knowing that Tough Mudders are considered as a teamwork-based ‘fun run’ and Spartan races are tougher, ‘fun run’ and Spartan races are tougher, more physically challenging and has the  slogan: “You’ll know at the finish line.” After weeks of training, Ellen won her age category and finished in the top 4 of the competitive female race: “I thought ‘okay – well, this is something I could be quite good at’ and I just decided I loved it so much [I] became obsessed”.

Since this adventure, Meekins has established herself as a competitor on the OCR World Championships circuit. Though the buzz of winning is a great enough endorphin-high to keep her elated for weeks after the competition, it’s not actually the winning which keeps her motivated. Part of her love for OCR is the people. “The enthusiasm, the love, it’s amazing” she comments, “I did a race in Madrid last year and it was between me and this other girl. At the finish line [it was] just big hugs, [we started] following each other on Instagram, and started messaging each other”.

Meekins also highlights that it is not just the people but the places she gets to go. Whilst talking to AMG, she lists the multiple places around the world which she has been able to venture via the means of OCR. From smaller courses at Twickenham Stadium to racing up Big Bear Mountain, California, the difference of the trails and terrains are what keep Meekins excited to swing through monkey bars and master sternum-checker logs.

“I love actually the training” Meekins exclaims when AMG asks her why she loves OCR so much. “You never actually feel like you’re training. On my training fitness program…it’s so varied. I just enjoy the actual journey to get to the race.” Perhaps a testament to Meekins’ claim is how she encouraged her mum to train and compete alongside her: “At the moment she can do a couple of monkey bars, but our goal is that she’s going to run her first race in Majorca next year and I’m actually going to run it for fun with her…It’s a sort of training for every day – picking up heavier things and picking them up correctly and being able to run. It’s quite amazing.”

Though Ellen is currently ranked as one of the top female obstacle course runners in the UK, it is clear that OCR is not just an event for the seriously competitive but for family and fun-runners alike. It is possible that OCR holds an important key to increased fitness cross-generationally. A 2018-19 survey by Sport England showed that as the population ages, inactivity levels increase massively. However, participant age range in Tough Mudder competitions varies from 24 to 49 years of age, plus the UK Obstacle Sport Federation offers race age categories from under 9 years old to 40+. As of 2020 there are 31 national obstacle course federations in Europe and the number is continuing to grow, however 50 federations are required for Olympic consideration.

It would appear that, although the training has specific elements, OCR is a combination of different skills and would be a great fitness opportunity for anyone who enjoys exercise. Trail running, CrossFit workouts, free weights and mobility exercises all come in handy Meekins mentions, however there is such a variety within OCR that many disciplines are catered for. Racing takes place over distances starting at 100m (sprint) to 50km (60 obstacle Spartan race). There is also the opportunity to do it as part of a team relay or just for fun – “There’s definitely something for everyone”.

Meekins journey into OCR has not only provided her with the opportunity to get fitter, faster and stronger, but has also offered her more unique experiences along the way such as competing on the television show Ninja Warrior (UK). It was an “amazing opportunity” where she “learned a lot”, however performing in front of a crowd certainly made the challenge harder. Nonetheless, it has allowed Meekins to further focus on high pressure situations.

A motto Meekins’ holds onto is that ‘Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself’, and it is something which many people could truly benefit from. Meekins explains that the motto means that she believes in new challenges, “testing yourself, seeing what you can achieve builds who we are. This sport is a way I have built myself up by doing things I did not know I was capable of. New experiences, seeing new places and new people, I believe will build a better you.” It is a motto that many may benefit from, and OCR could be the sport to push the boundaries whatever the age and whatever the gender.