COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, March 8th, 2017: International Obstacle Sports Federation (OSF) formily known at the IORF (International Obstacle Racing Federation) announced today that USA Obstacle Course Racing (USAOCR), has been recognized as the national governing body for obstacle sports and related disciplines in the United States.

Mr. Robert Killian has been chosen to lead the initial efforts on behalf of USAOCR. Competitors in events sanctioned by USAOCR can qualify for championship races and can be selected to represent the United States on Team USA at international competitions. Mr. Killian announced, “The first OCR US National Championship will be held on April 30, 2017, at Amelia Earhart Park, in Hialeah, FL. After a rigorous vetting process, the winning bid to host the US International Distance OCR Championship has been awarded to Spartan Race, whose 3.4 mile course featuring 19 obstacles will set the stage for the event. Athletes selected at the US OCR Nationals for Team USA will represent the United States at the first OCR Pan American Championships, with details to be finalized later this year.”

Mr. Ian Adamson, President of OSF, said, “We are pleased to grant USAOCR full affiliation as the national governing body for Obstacle Sports in the United States. USAOCR joins 50 other national federations and can send teams to the OCR World Series, Continental Championships, World Championships and various multi- sport Games.”

Obstacle racing has seen phenomenal growth over a very short time. The sport has grown over the past seven years from relative obscurity to the #1 mass participation sport in the world, larger than Marathons, Half Marathons and Triathlons combined. Obstacle Races are held in a growing number of countries and are quickly becoming the world's most popular sport for elite athletes and weekend warriors alike.

According to data from Running USA, the American College on Exercise, and American College of Sports Medicine there are 8 million people participating in obstacle sports in the United States. These include obstacle course races and mud runs (Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, etc.), functional fitness competitions (similar to CrossFit), obstacle competitions like American Ninja Warrior, and adventure racing.

ABOUT

USA Obstacle Course Racing: USAOCR is the national governing body of obstacle sports and related disciplines in the United States. USAOCR is based at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

International Obstacle Sports Federation: The OSF is the world governing body for obstacle sports and related disciplines. It is a not-for-profit independent international organization made up of volunteers to represent the needs of the athletes.