Brother and sister of Ripley compete at Obstacle Course Race world championships

Heather McFadden of Kincadrine received an interesting gift from her brother, Matt Farrell of Ripley, for her 40th birthday - entry into the Spartan Obstacle Course Race in Toronto in June.

Both then qualified for the world championships, held in Blue Mountain, Oct. 13-15.

Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) is a sport in which a competitor, travelling on foot, must overcome various physical challenges that are in the form of obstacles. Mud and trail runs are combined and the races are designed to result in mental and physical collapse.

Obstacles include, but are not limited to, climbing over walls, carrying heavy objects, traversing bodies of water, crawling under barbed wire, and jumping through fire. Many obstacles are similar to those used in military training, while others are unique to obstacle racing and are employed throughout the course to test endurance, strength, speed and, dexterity.
 
The OCR world championships is an event to unify and promote involvement in the sport while celebrating its amazing athletes and community, said McFadden.

In order to qualify, she and Farrell had to finish in the top of their age bracket at a previous competition deemed a qualifier, which they did at the Spartan Race.

Farrell has been competing in these types of gruelling events for years and has participated in the World’s Toughest Mudder in previous years as well.

This year, he was thrilled to compete at the OCR world championships alongside his sister.