The next
RACES
SEASON 2018/2019
After two thrilling seasons, we’re now in the middle of season 3. What’s your goal for this season? Subscribe for one of the races below and try to qualify yourself for the OCR Series World Finals at Saturday 15 June 2018
RACE 3 – 09 Mar. Osnabruck
Race 3 in Fürstenau/Osnabruck will be the first OCR Series race in 2019. It is the official Mud themed race in a serie of 3. Make sure you have the right gear in order to get a grip on the slippery track. The race takes place at Fursten Forest, an old military training ground in Germany. The terrain is made up of lots forest, loos sand and tons of sticky mud. With 2 races already in the books, we’re curious who will win the first race of the new year!
Last year, the top-3 male elites finished within 3 minutes of each other with Thibault Debusschere (BE) as the winner. It took him 1 hour and 38 minutes to reach the top of the Walhalla Steps (finish). Behind him, there was an exciting battle between #2 Gregorz Szcechla (PL) and #3 Tomas Tvrdik (CZ). At the females it was Lisan de Vries (NL) who took an early lead and finished the race a minute before #2 Corien Jansen (NL). The third place that day was also for the Czech Republic, with Petra Vesela on the podium.
Be prepared for a hard and fast course during this years race 3, with all the elites waking up from their winter sleep and determined to win!
RACE 4 – 31 Mar. Nijmegen
Race 4 will be the first OCR Series race of the season to be held in the Netherlands. Due to it’s flat landscape, it will again be a fast course and focus on having a high average speed. In spite of the flat terrain, you’ll be facing the famous ski-hill halfway through the course. Our tip, steady your tempo to reduce the change of cramps. Race 4 is another mud-themed run and the Berendonck is well known for its sticky Mud and deep trenches. It is also the location of the OCR Series World Finals in June, so it’s a great opportunity to size-up the area and test the course.
Last years it were the Belgian athlethes who sweeped the podium in Nijmegen with a victory for Thibault Debusschere (BEL) in a time of 1 hour and 37 minutes. Just a minute behind Thibault it was Thomas Buyle (BEL) finishing second place at the sweep was completed with Jensen Blondeel (BE) finishing third male.
This race, it were the females that made it into a thrillseeking race until the moment that Lisan de vries (NL) was warmed up after 17km ;). She increased her speed at the last 2 km and a strong finish on the last technical obstacles brought her to victory in 2 hours and 5 minutes. Corien Jansen who was constantly in a top 5 position finished just 3 minutes behind Lisan and took the 2nd place. Blue vest starter Janka Pepova (Slovakia) finished her first (Strong Viking) OCR Series race on the 3rd place in a time of 2 hours and 14 minutes, a big shout-out to her performance that race.
Will the Belgian males again go for the sweep?
RACE 5 – 14 Apr. Ghent
Race 5 takes places at the same location as the very first race of the season 2018/2019; Provinciaal Domain Puyenbroeck in Ghent, Belgium. The big difference between this race and the one in September 2018 is the mud theme with different obstacles throughout the 19km course. Where the first race was a fast track with a lot of water, this race the focus will be on technique and training your grip for slippery and muddy obstacles. Prepare yourself focussing more on balance and upper-body strenght.
In 2018, this race was a prey for Thomas Buyle (BEL) who had his first victory at the male elite in a time of 1 hour and 33 minutes. Thomas finally beated the World Finals Champion Thibault Debusschere (BE) who finished second place in 30 seconds. Number 3 on the male podium was Stefano Colombo (ITA) who finished after a strong performance in 1 hour and 36 minutes.
Where the Belgian male athletes sweeped the podium in Nijmegen two weeks earlier, it were the Dutch females who gave a payback by sweeping the podium in Belgium last year. It was again Lisan de Vries (NL) who finished as first elite female and completed her hattrick by winning 3 OCR Series in a row! Only 1,5 minute behind her it was Lisan Corien Jansen (NL) finishing second place, The 3rd place was a prey for Sabine Spreen (NL) who completed the Dutch sweep on the stage.
Who is capable of conquering these athletes this year?
RACE 6 – 11 May Amsterdam
Race 6 will be the last OCR Series race in the Netherlands until the OCR World Finals in June. If you thought there were no hills in the Netherlands, you are wrong. Race 6 takes place during the Strong Viking Hills Edition in Spaarnwoude, near Amsterdam. Be ready for many uphill crawls, weight carries and last but not least, the Arctic Area! Conquer obstacles at the Snowplanet Skicentre with a tempature of -5?C (23?F). Crawl, jump and slide through the snow in order to secure your OCR Series World Finals spot!
THE OCR SERIES MARATHON IS BACK! After the succes of last year, we decided to bring the toughest marathon race on earth back to Amsterdam in 2019. 42km, 100+ obstacles and supervision of OCR officials. The points awarded at the OCR Series Marathon will be updated from the standard ranking system to fit the marathon distance. These point will of course count for the OCR Series overall ranking. Therefor, on the 11 of May we’ll have 2 winners per gender, and 1.000 points will be awarded to each of them. The choice on your part is tactical, will you go for speed or endurance? Please note: Max 7.5hr!