British Obstacle Sports and Spartan Race UK Renew Partnership to Drive OCR Growth in the UK

February 14, 2025

February 14, 2025 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – British Obstacle Sports and Spartan Race UK are proud to announce the renewal of their partnership for another two years, reinforcing their shared commitment to growing obstacle course racing (OCR) in the UK. This collaboration has already been instrumental in elevating OCR’s profile and legitimacy, and with new initiatives planned, the sport is heading towards an exciting new era.

British OCR Ultra Championship Announced for 2025
A key highlight of this renewed partnership is the sanctioning of the 2025 Spartan London South East Ultra as the British OCR Ultra Championship. In addition to the regular race podium, there will be a separate elite podium for British citizens and residents, with a British OCR Ultra Champion crowned in each age group. This marks another significant milestone as British Obstacle Sports continues to expand national championship events and enhance competitive opportunities for UK athletes.

Strengthening Competitive and Grassroots Pathways
British Obstacle Sports remains committed to ensuring that OCR is accessible to all, and this extended partnership will continue to support both elite and grassroots participation. Key focus areas for the upcoming season include:

• Continued collaboration with Spartan UK and Tough Mudder on event support, including safety management and governance.
• British Obstacle Sports will support two major international events in the UK: the Spartan Kids European Championship on May 18th and the World’s Toughest Mudder starting June 29th, providing top-tier competitive experiences for young athletes and endurance racers.
• The highlighter blue bibs of British Obstacle Sports Technical Officials are now a familiar sight on the course and we look forward to working together to further develop the BOS Technical Officials programme. To date, British Obstacle Sports has trained 147 officials, with 37 completing an additional Spartan Rulebook CPD course. During the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Technical Officials volunteered their time on 335 occasions at Spartan and Tough Mudder events.

Progress Towards Official Recognition
The partnership has already contributed to British Obstacle Sports’ successful pre-application to the UK Sports Councils, an essential step towards becoming an officially recognised governing body. This recognition is vital for ensuring long-term development, securing funding, and providing opportunities for athletes across all levels. Spartan UK is proud to support this mission, recognising that a strong national governing body will enhance the structure, safety, and credibility of the sport.

Membership Requirement for Competitive Events
As part of this ongoing partnership, British Obstacle Sports membership will continue to be required for all elite and age group competitors at Spartan UK competitive events. It will also be required at Europe’s Toughest Mudder. This requirement helps sustain essential programmes such as Technical Official development and supports the overall growth of OCR in the UK.

For those not competing at a competitive level, British Obstacle Sports membership still offers valuable benefits, including personal accident insurance for Spartan and Tough Mudder events, exclusive discounts, training opportunities for coaching and officiating, and the chance to contribute to the sport’s future.

Exclusive Membership Offer for Spartan and Tough Mudder Participants
Not a member yet? Spartan and Tough Mudder participants can enjoy 30% off new British Obstacle Sports one-year memberships using the codes SPARTAN or TM30.

A Shared Vision for the Future
President of British Obstacle Sports, James Burton, commented: “We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Spartan UK. Their commitment to the sport has been evident through their support of our national championships, Technical Official development programme, and inclusion initiatives, such as the first-ever competitive British Para OCR event in 2023. The continued partnership is a major step towards our goal of ensuring everyone in the UK can enjoy the endless possibilities of obstacle sports.”

Matthew Brooke, Senior Vice President, Global Operations, Spartan, added:
“Our renewed partnership with British Obstacle Sports is another big step forward for the sport. By working together, we can ensure the long-term development of OCR, support athletes at all levels, and continue to push for official recognition. Spartan UK is excited to be part of this journey, and we look forward to making a lasting impact on the OCR community.”

For more information on British Obstacle Sports membership and upcoming OCR and ninja sport events, visit www.britishobstace.org.

For more details about Spartan Race UK & Ireland and to see the latest event calendar, visit https://uk.spartan.com/en