That was a first. A course walk through at a major OCR event.
If anyone was going to do it, I’m not surprised Warrior Dash did.
They’re like a hip version of your crazy uncle Larry. Complete with wrecking of beer and being all about cheesy hats.
Warrior Dash really seems to go it’s own path… undaunted by the choices of it’s big brothers, Tough Mudder and Spartan Race.
And It was my very first OCR.
To be honest, initially, I didn’t love Warrior Dash. Then again, I don’t love being repeatedly sprayed in the face with cold water. But now that I’ve been dunked in ice, carried impossibly heavy things, and raked my knees and elbows over razor sharp rocks in the cold muck, being sprayed in the face just don’t seem so bad. Go ahead uncle Larry, one more noggie…
In fact, I’ve really started to like what Warrior Dash is doing.
1. Achievable obstacles. Ok, I know. But not only are they beginner friendly… you can crush the course really fast, which is fun.
2, No spectator fees. Spectator fees are greedy and good for no one. Really? People have to pay to get up at some ungodly hour, drive to some ungodly place, pay some ungodly amount to park in a cow field, and stand in some very probably ungodly weather – for the privilege of waiting somewhere between half an hour and 24 hours to clap for me as I charge through the finish line, unable to recognize then or anyone else. Thanks Warrior Dash for making the right choice and charging the racers. Spectators should get hugs and free coffee.
3. They seem to play nice with the others. In fact, I think they were one of the few to embrace the nonpartisan OCRWC.
Back to the walk through.
The course was well marked and a good mix of flat and runnable – and steep and crawlable.
To start things off, there was a flat section leading into a big old never-ending style climb to get you through the first mile.
The elite course charges right up the side of the mountain after descending. It looked like the open course had a flatter track back to rejoin.
I’ll write about the obstacles in more detail in my race post. They are pretty standard fare and even posted with video links on their website.
Looks like it’s going to be a fun event and very well put on. Plus the swag bags had a technical tee, a technical thick long sleeve, a hoodie, a bag and no junk!
Pretty sweet so far and it’s not even race day.
allisontai.ca 