OCR World Championships 2019

For the second year in a row the OCR World Championships returned to the awesome Nuclear Races site in Brentwood. The event was a classic example of obstacle course racing in the UK - there was lots of rain and plenty of mud!



Friday saw the fast and furious 3k race take place in really tough conditions. Days of rain leading up to the event meant it was exceptionally wet and muddy, making an already very technical course even more difficult. The mud essentially became another obstacle that the competitors would have to deal with!

In the men’s race, dryrobe ambassador Jon Albon continued his epic year of racing by dominating from the start to take home first place and retain his 3k crown. After the race, Jon said that these were some of the most technical obstacles he’s ever seen on a course.



In the women’s 3k race, American racer Nicole Mericle followed up her recent triumph at the Spartan World Championships with a hard-fought victory that saw the lead change multiple times throughout the race, even over such a short distance.



OCR World Championships 2019 3K Results:

Men’s 3K

1. Jonathan Albon (UK)
2. Thomas Van Tonder (SA)
3. Sergei Perelygin (RUS)

Women’s 3K

1. Nicole Mericle (USA)
2. Ida Mathilde Steensgard (DEN)
3. Rebecca Hammond (USA)

Saturday saw racers up bright and early for the 8 am start in the 15k race. Fresh rain overnight made the obstacles extra slippy. In the men’s event, Jon Albon had another rapid start and once again built up an early lead over his nearest rivals. 

Jon led for the entire race and crushed the 70 obstacles along the way, but there was no room for error as Ryan Atkins was hot on his heels, pushing him close the whole race to come in second place.

The women’s event was thrilling, with the lead changing hands multiple times throughout the race, with the tricky conditions taking out racers along the course. Coming into the final few kilometres, Danish runner Ida Mathilde Steensgard had built a lead and was looking strong, before getting stuck at Skitch, a brutal, technical obstacle which caused racers a lot of problems.

Karin Karlsson from Sweden used her experience and obstacle proficiency to keep her cool and take the lead, crushing the final obstacles to take the win. The new world champion couldn’t have been deserving - Karin has featured in the top 3 for years but this was her first victory - congratulations Karin!

OCR World Championships 2019 15k Results:

Men’s 15K

1. Jonathan Albon (UK)
2. Ryan Atkins (CAN)
3. Thomas Buyle (BEL)

Women’s 15K

1. Karin Karlsson (SWE)
2. Katja Christensen (DEN)
3. Ida Mathilde Steensgaard (DEN)

This was another great event from the OCRWC - we loved seeing so many nations all come together and race their hearts out over a packed weekend of excellent courses.



We were proud to have some amazing ambassadors at the event, taking victories and podium positions but also spending their time cheering, supporting and celebrating other racers. dryrobe ambassador Rea Kolbl had flown over to the UK as part of a series of events here, and while she didn’t race she spent the whole weekend supporting other athletes.



Rea also caught up with the amazing OCR Girls, who we are proud to support - giving them pre-race tips and advice. Awesome to see her inspiring the next generation.



We can’t wait till the next OCR World Champs, bring on Stratton Mountain 2020!  

Photos by Scott Seefeldt

#dryrobeterritory

Published on October 16, 2019