Today, USOCR issued a press release for what they hope will be obstacle racing’s first sanctioning body. Unlike last week’s news which revealed OCR “Championships“, USOCR’s main focus will be on unifying the sport through safety standards and procedures. They have partnered with a large insurance company and believe that is a crucial step in the right direction.
ORM reached out to Sam Mansfield of USOCR this morning to ask questions such as “Which races are you actively pursuing? and “How soon do you see races getting certified through USOCR?” We were given a firm “No Comment”.
However, based on conversations we had last week with Mr. Mansfield, we are aware that the company is in the process of inviting several race entities to a “summit meeting” to take place in the coming weeks. At this meeting, USOCR will be opening up the discussion about things like regulating obstacles, and universal insurance standards. We were told that USOCR will be able to tell us which races are attending this meeting “in the next few days”.
We will deliver that information and more as soon as we can.
The entire press release is below.
United States Obstacle Course Racing (USOCR) Launches as Official Sanctioning Body for Burgeoning Sport
USOCR to Offer Safety Standards Program, National Ranking System and Industry-Leading Insurance Program for Sanctioned Races and Participants
ATLANTA (January 7, 2014)—United States Obstacle Course Racing (USOCR), today announced its plan to serve as the official sanctioning body for the sport of obstacle course racing in the United States.
As the sport continues to grow, USOCR will ensure that uniform safety procedures are implemented and industry-specific insurance solutions are developed for sanctioned events. USOCR has taken the necessary steps as the first non-race entity to establish criteria for both safety and excellence for race companies and participants alike.
“USOCR is dedicated to the longevity and ongoing development of obstacle course racing,” said Sam Mansfield, co-founder and CEO of USOCR. “We have initiated conversations with multiple race companies and have generated strong interest in our race partner programs. Ensuring that our partners’ events are safe and successful is our top priority.”
USOCR will officially launch in February with a roster of partner race organizations that will operate USOCR sanctioned races. These organizations will have the opportunity to take part in the USOCR Event Safety Program, which includes world-class consultation from ESIX, a global leader in risk management and insurance solutions for sports and entertainment events and companies. This program will help set a consistent standard for safety that protects event operators and race participates alike. Beyond safety, the results from qualifying races will be used to determine a ranking system allowing competitors to gauge themselves against competition nationwide.
As a member-based organization, USOCR will offer a wide range of benefits including insurance solutions designed specifically for the OCR industry, discounts on race entry fees, travel assistance, discounts from product and apparel partners along with a racer profile on the USOCR website.
“As an OCR athlete and former Green Beret, I know the dedication it takes to conquer obstacles both in the business world and in races,” said Mark Ballas, co-founder of USOCR. “With numerous benefits for members and race organizers, USOCR will hit the ground running by providing an umbrella organization to promote the sport and create a sustainable business model for race organizers and partners. USOCR will embody the spirit of OCR and be a valued partner to the race industry.”
Look for the full USOCR website to launch in February at www.usocr.com. The site will be a resource for racers and race organizers. It aims to become the place where pro-level and amateur athletes can share in their passion for obstacle course racing.
ABOUT USOCR
United States Obstacle Course Racing (USOCR) is the first nationally recognized sanctioning body for obstacle course racing in the U.S. Founded in 2013 by Sam Mansfield and Mark Ballas, USOCR establishes regulations to ensure safety and quality across the sport. In partnership with the industry’s top race organizers, USOCR sanctions races allowing for the first national ranking systems for OCR athletes. The organization fosters a vibrant community where athletes can share in their passion for obstacle course racing. For more information, visit www.usocr.com.
Follow USOCR online on Facebook and Twitter.
Matt B. Davis
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Wow. Its amazing that a governing body such as this one took so long to pop up with all the different races springing up.
Every other fitness endeavor has a governing body. If OCR can self-regulate, thatll keep the State out of it which is a VERY good thing.