Organiser Resources.
Supporting Better OCR Events
The Obstacle Course Racing Association of Ireland (OCRA ÉIREANN) wants to support race organisers with practical resources that help improve obstacle sport events across Ireland.
This section brings together information relevant to organisers delivering recreational, competitive, sanctioned and qualification events.
Event Planning
Planning an obstacle race involves considerably more than designing obstacles and opening registration.
Organisers need to consider areas including:
- Venue
- Course design
- Participant numbers
- Event schedule
- Obstacles
- Staffing
- Volunteers
- Medical provision
- Safety
- Timing
- Results
- Athlete communication
- Competition rules
- Emergency procedures
Event Standards
Organisers considering OCRA sanctioning should review the event standards applying to recognised competition.
Sanctioning
Organisers interested in connecting an event with the formal Irish competition pathway can learn about:
- OCRA sanctioning
- Qualification Event status
- National Championship opportunities
Technical Officials
OCRA Technical Officials can support the fair and consistent delivery of competitive obstacle racing.
Organisers can learn more about the Technical Official pathway and discuss officiating requirements for their event.
Competition Rules
Competitive events need clear sporting rules.
Current competition information and OCRA rulebooks are available through:
Results
Reliable results are particularly important for:
- Competitive events
- Qualification events
- National Championships
- Rankings
- Historical records
Where an event works formally with OCRA, organisers should discuss result formats and reporting requirements before competition.
Safety Resources
Race organisers should consider appropriate arrangements for:
- Risk assessment
- Obstacle safety
- Medical coverage
- Emergency action planning
- Safety signage
- Course access
- Athlete flow
- Weather
- Incident management
Working With Clubs
OCR clubs can provide an important connection between events and local athletes.
Organisers may be able to work with clubs around:
- Event promotion
- Volunteers
- Athlete participation
- Training
- Community engagement
- Competition development
Growing Competitive OCR
Organisers interested in adding a competitive element to an existing recreational event are encouraged to speak with OCRA.
It may be possible to develop competition gradually rather than immediately attempting to operate a National Championship-level event.
This could begin with:
- Competitive waves
- Consistent categories
- Defined obstacle rules
- Reliable timing
- Trained Technical Officials
- Results publication
and develop further over time.
Resource Library
As OCRA's race organiser programme develops, this section can provide downloadable resources including:
- Event guidance
- Sanctioning information
- Risk assessment guidance
- Technical Official information
- Competition rulebooks
- Result templates
- Qualification requirements
- Event application forms
- Athlete communication templates
Need Help?
If you are planning an event and cannot find the information you need, contact OCRA.
We would rather speak with an organiser early and help identify what is required than discover three days before race day that somebody has promised athletes a World Championship qualification spot based on a sack race and optimism.