It is a beautiful, sunny, Saturday morning here in Vermont. I am supposed to be racing; however, I’m sitting in front of my computer instead. I am supposed to be enjoying the thrill of the most fun, most exhilarating, most innovative obstacles the OCR world has ever seen, but instead I’m listening to the monotonous click of the keyboard as I type this article. I didn’t miss this morning’s OCR due to injury, illness, or weather reasons. This morning I am sitting at home instead of racing because just five days before the inaugural PeepleChase, the race directors called the whole thing off.
I hate to be a pessimist, in fact I typically choose to see the best in every situation, but I can’t say that I was surprised at the announcement that PeepleChase would not happen.
Back in February I came across a new race series that was at the time known as the “Bloody Murder Race”. The website,
while adequately and professionally designed, contained no substantial information regarding the race itself. Stock photos of other obstacle course races and numerous ambiguous claims of top-secret yet innovative obstacles, promising to be like nothing ever seen before, filled every corner of the website. And I cannot fail to mention my favorite, a promotional video of four young men running aimlessly through the woods while yelling, never once encountering an actual obstacle.
At some point, the Bloody Murder Race rebranded, with the same logos and catch line of “It’s Bloody Brilliant”, but was now known as the “PeepleChase” series: a steeplechase course for people. The mud run stock photos were replaced with steeplechase stock photos, with the same vague claims and promises of world class obstacles. The PeepleChase Facebook page, which very quickly swelled to over 10,000 fans, also contained ambiguous post after post, without ever providing any sort of solid details of the race itself. However, despite the large fan base, on April 27th, PeepleChase announced via Facebook that due to low registration numbers, they were canceling not only the scheduled inaugural event in Vermont, but the next three events as well.
It is no secret that obstacle course racing has gone from the new kid on the block to an incredibly popular and rapidly growing sport. As to be expected, this sudden boom in popularity has entrepreneurs everywhere wondering how they can become a part of (and cash in on) this success. This of course, brings plenty of benefits to the obstacle course racing world as a whole: bigger sponsors mean more venues, more athletes, and more recognition to our beloved sport.
However this sudden growth also brings a new kind of undesirable “obstacle” to obstacle course racing. We are suddenly bombarded with new obstacle course races popping up left and right, each one claiming to be more challenging, more exciting, or muddier than the others. While most of these new organizations and race directors have the best of intentions, the unfortunate truth is that some are putting financial gain before the wellbeing of their potential participants, and the obstacle course racing community as a whole. With all of these new races to choose from, it has become a game of chance for athletes, as they gamble on the probability of a race that lives up to its claims versus the potential of a poor or even unsafe experience.
In the last year alone, we have seen multiple organizations who failed to provide the experience they advertised, with some, such as PeepleChase and Jungle Cup, suddenly canceling preregistered events altogether. Even more concerning are the new races that seem to be hastily thrown together with little to no concern for safety. While risk taking is an inherent part of obstacle course racing, there are certain safety standards that should simply not be ignored, especially when you consider that the majority of race participants are weekend warriors, and not elite athletes. The established races on the circuit are known for spending hefty amounts for the design and engineering of their obstacles. Other races seem to regard safety as a low priority, and as a result, end up with more reports of injury and negligence, rather than victory and personal triumph. Take for example, the 2012 Rebel Race in Haverhill, Massachusetts. A quick internet search will reveal one negative race report after another, with almost all of them mentioning not only the lack of emergency personnel on course, but the numerous injuries due to poor obstacle construction, such as a rope traverse over a rock gulley.
While races like these certainly give more credibility to the successful organizations, they have the potential to damage the reputation of the obstacle course racing community as a whole. Consumers are now becoming more hesitant in regards to registering for newer races on the circuit, which unfairly affects those races that have the potential to provide a really great course and experience. The injuries due to careless planning by race directors or poor obstacle construction exacerbate the ever growing concern that obstacle course racing is simply an unsafe sport. In the long run, all of these concerns will only inhibit the growth of obstacle course racing.
This brings us full circle back to the current demise of the PeepleChase race series. I certainly am not accusing this organization or their directors of being careless with their course design, nor attempting to enter the OCR circuit simply for financial gain. I will, however, point out that their inability to gain traction for their events is a result of, and contributor to, the aforementioned issues. Simply put, consumers want to know that they are going to get their money’s worth: a well-executed race that lives up to all of its claims, as well as the standards the community as a whole has come to expect. PeepleChase spent months trying to advertise and bring hype to a race with little to no concrete evidence or clout to back up their bold statements…and the consumers have spoken: PeepleChase reported only 40 participants had registered for the first day of their inaugural race. Further, on April 29th, a plea for help was posted on their Facebook wall in the form of crowd sourcing; PeepleChase was seeking donations to help get their race off of the ground and recover expenses from their failed launch. *Six days later, they have raised a mere $176.
*Editor’s note: Crowdsourcing is a great way for people and communities to support new creative projects in a way that makes the most of technology and art. However, in this instance, it seems to be saying “Hi, we aren’t very good businessmen and couldn’t figure out a way to sell tickets to our non-existent race. Would you give us 50 grand?
My advice to PeepleChase and all future potential race organizations is to focus less on outdoing their competitors in the field with bravado talk of bigger, newer, and muddier claims, and instead provide a solid, well executed race that will exceed the expectations of participants. I speak not only for myself, but on behalf of the obstacle course racing community as a whole, when I say that for a large majority of us, this sport is far more than a passing fad. Obstacle course racing has become a passion and a lifestyle for many, and we take pride in the future of our sport. In order to see obstacle course racing continue to grow, we demand entities wishing to enter our community not only take their role seriously, but treat the community as a whole with respect.
Heather G. was bummed not to run this race. Find out what else makes her tick over at Relentless Forward Commotion.
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Excellent write up. To the point and well spoken. As a seasoned competitor, so far the Spartanrace was the only race to live up to its name. I’ll definitely repost this article. Have a great one.
I personally will only sign up for races that have already gotten off the ground when it comes to OCR. I want one to come to my area, most are 2+ hours away. However, I will wait for one that I’ve actually heard of and that has had successful races already. That doesn’t eliminate the risk of having the race cancelled, but can diminish it. I wouldn’t give any money to this company though
Great write up! I enjoyed the read.
What a fantastic analysis. Absolutely spot on and fair. Thank you!
There will be many such races that are ALL HYPE. There are, however, local homegrown venues that are the REAL DEAL because they are by and for people who LOVE THE SPORT. I will shamelessly plug Shale Hill Adventure / ORTC and the Brian Bill Memorial Challenge here.
Look for reviews of both courses on line – you will NOT be disappointed! Small races, genuinely awesome people, and courses that will put you to the test, no joke! Shale Hill / ORTC has a race coming up in a couple weeks in May – anyone interested in down & dirty homegrown fun should check it out!!!
Ha Dave!!!! As I was reading this post, I kept thinking – “she should have gone to Shale Hill” I hope Rob contacts Heather and gets her on the course we all know and love!
Tammy
Very good post! I too have been in your situation. Jungle Cup cancelled their race in SC and there are plenty of people who never even received a refund. I’m now very nervous at signing up for a new race. As mentioned above I have never had a bad experience with Spartan Races.
I am a cofounder of Wicked Mud Run, an OCR series, which will have our “first” race on June 22 at the Bolton fairgrounds in Lancaster Mass. Before I tell you my background I will tell you that our first priority is SAFETY (I am a safety freak), our second priority is that each racer has a fun experience. I don’t need to tell you my background (its lengthy) but it doesn’t matter if we can’t produce a safe and fun experience for each person racing. I will tell you that each racer will not only get a safe and fun race, but they get 2-3 free Cisco beers, clam chowder, NRG BAR, Chobani Yogurt, Zico Water, Late July snacks and both Whole Foods and Inov-8 Shoes are sponsors, live music and a Pint glass. this is a local OCR series at the Bolton Fairgrounds, kind of like a pub series, run each for points. cash in points for sponsor prizes. I’m looking for feedback and reading reviews as much as I can to ensure our Top priorities, those are the only claims we want to make, safe and fun. thanks
Dan
Great article and hit the nail on so many points. I see so many races in the SE that I am thankful for the many obstacle running Facebook groups to provide some guidance in regards to which ones are worthy of being called an obstacle race.
Is this perhaps a call for a governing agency to be formed insuring the quality and consistency of obstacle racing? While this may not prevent events such as the Peeplechase from starting up, it would give obstacle course racers some peace of mind if they know it was “sanctioned” by a governing agency (much like triathlons and duathlons have the USAT.)
Heather,
You NEED to get to Benson, VT and check out Shale Hill Adventure Farm. You will not be disappointed in any fashion. This course is challenging – and the owners, Rob and Jill, they are the real deal. I’ve done several Spartan Races and Warrior Dash and this course makes them look like a walk in the park. The first race of their four race series is on May 25th. Don’t miss it! Can’t race that day? Get there for a training run. It will restore your faith!
Tammy
2 things as I follow this post and the comments.
Dan: I’m glad to hear the race is back on at the Bolton Fairgrounds. Last I heard a series was canceled there because it is a dry county and alcohol was not permitted. Did you bring it back or is this a whole new series?
JohnT: USAT, in my opinion, is a joke. It is a headache to race directors and really not that great for the sport unless you really want to get a ranking nationally. The best thing to come out of USAT is the flow through transition areas creating a seemingly fair process. The rule book that they have made nobody follows anyway unless they hear a motorcycle approaching. Just go watch Ironman Florida and tell me USAT is worth a darn. But you’re right and I give it less than a year before Tough Mudder, Spartan or Warrior try to start up a sanctioning body and further drive a spike between a safe, low cost grass roots OCR and the over the top fire breathing multi-hundred dollar entry fee races.
Hi Richard, the other race wanted to sell beer to racers. We want to give it away, and that is allowed. We can’t sell alcohol. We plan to run it as a series. wickedmudrun.com
As an organizer of an obstacle run start-up out of Vermont – I found this write-up both informative, and discouraging. It’s a catch-22 for organizers of new races – we can’t grow and provide great races without registrations, and we can’t get registrations until we are a known entity. Our own company has a couple of successful races under our belt, and while we strive for safety, deliver a well organized and fun event, and our reviews have been great – we still scrape for every single registration.
Even more discouraging are the challenges responsible race managers find when another race organization “muddies the water.” The fallout from the disastrous Rebel Race in Massachusetts, left us unable to even find a venue which would consider hosting our own event in the area.
Our first event was held in the very venue where the PeepleChase cancelled only a few months later. We are holding our breath in hopes that year two will instill enough confidence in run enthusiasts to give us the opportunity to prove ourselves yet again…and to a significantly larger crowd.
Safe running!