2013 Obstacle Course Races in Arkansas

Obstacle course racers in Arkansas will have many options to choose from in 2013, and possibly more as directors continue to finalize dates. See Mud Runs in Arkansas for a current list of events. The first event of the year is a wonderfully creative one called the Hillbilly Mud Run. Each obstacle has a hillbilly motif, like the silo climb or the feedbag haul.  You are eligible for a prize if you run the fastest or if you collect the most pigs.  Lots of toy-pigs will be all over the course, and you win if you complete the race with more pigs than anyone else!  A very creative idea!  Two other locally organized events in the Natural State are Lizard Creek and Conquer the Gauntlet.

In addition to the locally organized events, two national series will come to Arkansas in 2013.  The Warrior Dash will make a repeat performance in Little Rock so participants can don their warrior helmets from last year and enjoy the balance beams, barbed-wire crawls, cargo nets, and of course the fire jumps that the Warrior Dash is famous for.  If women want to race without the men around, they can check out Dirty Girl.

Each of the events hosted in Arkansas is quite welcoming to newbies.  They are all about 3 miles long, though the Hillbilly Mud Run has a 6 mile option.

So go round up some piggies or get your warrior on!  There's plenty to keep you busy in Arkansas this year!  

Obstacle Course Races in Arizona 2013

Obstacle Course Races Arizona 2013

Arizona's 2013 obstacle course race calendar is more packed with events than in has ever been. Arizona athletes can already choose from over 14 different events, and several more will likely be added in the next few months.  Click here for a complete list of 2013 Mud Runs in Arizona. 

All of the big players in obstacle course racing are headed to Arizona this year, such as the Spartan Race and the Warrior Dash.  The majority of the Arizona Obstacle races this year are near Phoenix and Tucson, but there are also a few scattered around other parts of the state.

Most of these events are suitable for newbies. The Spartan Sprint or the Survivor Mud Run are both about 5k and feature obstacle that most fit people would be able to do. Many of the beginner races also have specific themes. For example, Run for Your Lives has zombies that run after participants to take health flags. A participant only gets on the "survivor list" if they finish with at least one health flag.  If you want a less "scary" theme, Run Drenched might be your race.  Volunteer throw water balloons at you in that one! 

If you have already done one of the beginning level races or just feel you are ready for a greater challenge, try your hand at Toro Loco or Tough Mudder. No matter what your fitness level, Arizona has a obstacle course race that will challenge you to pursue new fitness goals.

Obstacle Course Races in New York 2013

If you live in New York, you've probably already heard of Obstacle Course races, one of the latest crazes to hit America.  Obstacle Course Races make a typical running race more exciting by adding mud, challenging obstacles, and some alcohol at the end. New York will host 20 different events this year.  You can see a complete calendar of Mud Runs in New York here.

The big 3 (Warrior Dash, Tough Mudder and Spartan) will all host an event in New York this year, so if you want a tried and true major event that will attract thousands, check out these series.  New Yorkers can also choose from several themed races, such as the Fugitive Mud Run, where racers will have to escape from jail guards as they run through the obstacle course. New York will also host several local events that are specific to New York.  For example the Finger Lakes Mud Run is organized by a local charity.

No matter what event you decide to tackle, obstacle races require both stamina and strength. You have to prepare yourself for short bursts of power in the midst of a run. Interval running, long distance running and circuit training can all help you excel in an event like this.  Register for one of the 20 events in New York today and reap the benefits of obstacle course race training.

Tri-State Super Spartan Sept. 7 & 8, 2013 -Sign up for this Spartan Race Now!

Obstacle Course Race in Texas 2013

Obstacle Course Races in Texas 2013

If you are fromTexas, you probably have already seen how popular Mud Running has become in recent years. Texas leads the country in the amount of mud runs the state will host this year. As of January 2013, Texans have close to 40 events scheduled for the upcoming year. You can see a full calendar of Mud Runs in Texas.

If you have not done a mud run yet, just picture a normal run with lots of obstacles, muddiness, silly costumes, plus beer as soon as you finish. Millions are registering for these events. All of the national series will put on a race in Texas this year. The Spartan Race, one of the most popular series, will host beginning races as well as extreme races.  In addition to the traditional military-style races, you can also choose from several themed races.  In the Hero Rush, the obstacles include poles, ladders, fire jumps and sirens so participants feel like firefighters. Texas is also home to many mud runs that that will only be in Texas. For example, Jailbreak has participants trying to escape from guards in four locations in Texas.

Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just beginning, make a new fitness goal for 2013 and challenge yourself  to one of 40 events in Texas! 

Texas Spartan Sprint May 18-19, 2013, Sign Up Now for this Spartan Race!