My Sisters First Ever Obstacle Race

You will have seen many blog posts from me over the years about various muddy obstacle runs that I have taken part in and I will be the first to admit that it has been a while – Covid and all that!

Nuclear Races has always been a firm favourite of mine with events that never disappoint, amazing atmosphere, great staff and always sure to bump into someone you know (and probably met through OCR). When they got in touch about attending their Rush weekend I was very excited BUT I have a previous knee injury that has been niggling me and with some endurance riding coming up I thought it best not to take a chance. However, I knew of someone who is always up for a challenge – my little sister.

This would be her first experience of a muddy obstacle race and she would be doing it with a friend in the same position. I gave them hints and tips on what they should be wearing and also some ideas of what should be in their kit list for before and after. Below is an idea:

OCR Kit List

I will admit that some of the questions I had ahead of the race from my sisters friend (I will not name her) were amazing and honestly made my day! They included:

• Will I break a nail?
• Will my hair get wet as I had a blow dry yesterday?

Naturally I went along to support – this was going to be fun!

I should start by saying my sister was always the sporty child in our house growing up and still is in her adult life. She has 3 children but continues to manage a netball team for the county, whilst still training and playing herself, she walks a lot, runs and is competitive! Her friend has 5 children and is also very active, again with netball, the gym and lots of walking.

What Did They Think?

They did the 12km course for Rush and here is what they thought:

• there was a group of six of them who ran together and they agreed that this is about the fun and that doing the course together would be their preference rather than alone – there are people who race solo but for them this was a fun experience and the group helped
• my sister is small (but mighty) and very much has the attitude to give it a go and so that is what she did
• even once my sister got home she messaged me to say she was still buzzing – honestly she loved it and would go back without a second thought
• let’s just say my sisters friend gave it a go but in future she may spectate – she had not appreciated how much mud and water there would be (this is Nuclear and their slogan is Love Mud)

Sarah’s Review:

I had the BEST day ever at Nuclear Races at the weekend. From the moment I got there until I got back in my car (was actually still buzzing when I went to bed). I was a little nervous to start with, wondering if I would be able to do everything and complete the whole 12km course but all the marshals were so supportive and encouraging and guided you through all the obstacles – even the cameraman, Tony, was enticing people to get involved!

I ran the course with my bestie, who to be honest was not a fan. She didn’t realise it would be so muddy and wet, but that for me was one of the best bits. I just threw myself into everything – literally. The muddier the better – you just have to embrace the mud.

A couple of the obstacles were daunting due to being vertically challenged at 5ft 2” but where there’s a will, there’s a way.  The marshals find a way for you to do everything and even the other runners help you out with tips and a leg up here and a pull over there. It’s a real community and everyone wants everyone else to do well. You get a sense of achievement of completing an obstacle you arrive at and think ‘there’s no way I can do that’.

I think my worst obstacle was Ebenezer, purely because it stinks and is slimy mud so you’re waist deep in mud and slipping in every direction trying you’re best not to get you face submerged for the fear it tastes as bad as it stinks. But again, once I got out the other side I felt like a warrior!

It’s hard to pick a favourite. The Death Slide and Zip Wire are obviously up there and the half pipe at the very end. My body was screaming at me to stop, legs and arms dead but you just find that reserve in the tank to sprint up a near on vertical wall, lucking I had a strong helper at the top pull me over.

I honestly cannot wait to do it again. I’m going to bring my kids as they will love it just as much as I did. Thank you Nuclear Races!

What If You Want To Spectate?

There is something for everyone at Nuclear! Parking is free and to spectate you pay £5, unless you are accompanying a child taking on the Rookie course or under 12, in which case it is free. What can you expect?

• there is a main event village, which has the start and finish so you can watch the warm up, see the runners off and finish for both the adults and children
• food and drink stalls, including a licensed bar
• merchandise shop
• live music
• inflatables for the kids
• two tractors work at the same time to ferry people from the event village to the fun zone so you can spectate on course
• the fun zone is near the lake zone and so you can see the obstacles on the lake such as magic carpet, donuts, death slide, zip lines and ebeneezer for all the mud!
• also at the lake there was an ice cream van and a van selling drinks, crisps and fresh pizzas

It was an amazing day, despite having serious fomo once there, I had a blast watching them and walking round the course, although I did get very sunburnt!

Head to my Instagram for a short reel to give you a taste of some of the course.

Entries were gifted but all opinions are our own