OCD FOR OCR

For the third year in a row, Spartan put on a winter race at Greek Peak, a medium sized ski resort located about halfway between Syracuse and Binghamton in Central New York State. This is a unique race in Spartan’s North American offerings that athletes flock to from across the continent. I myself have yet to miss an installment at this one of a kind venue, especially since I am fortunate to live close by. It also comes early in the year when I am itching to break the ice on the new race season, giving me extra motivation to train off the holiday/off season gluttony and debauchery.

• Registration and Festival:

Having attended this same race since its inception, I have some firsthand insight on how Spartan has adapted to the venue and the conditions making the experience the best it can be. Two years ago, at the inaugural race, Spartan attempted to set up registration outside in tents like at most races. This proved troublesome with temps well below freezing that thwarted the touch screen tablets from operating. Thus, registration was whisked indoors and has been in the same room each year thereafter. With no hiccups, it ran quick Spartan style.

The biggest change for me was not getting a wristband to denote that I was running Age Group. That’s because starting in 2019 Spartan has made the bib number headbands color coded for divisions, eliminating the need for them. Elite and age groupers get a red headband at Sprints (I am assuming they might be blue and green respectively at Supers and Beasts, but I don’t know yet) while open athletes receive the standard black headband. Overall the change seems to make sense, cutting a cost in an area no one will really miss, while making athletes subject to the course marshal scrutiny more visible.

The festival area was split between indoors and outdoors in an intelligent, sensible fashion. Merchandise was indoors as was the changing areas. Despite the venue being open for skiing, foot traffic seemed to move smoothly between skiers and OCR enthusiasts on a seasonably cold but sunny day, perfect for indulging in either sport. (or both I suppose, if your legs could handle it).

The post-race beer (which was a choice of a couple small craft brands served in cans) was served on an outdoor porch with fire pits and heaters. The weather was beautiful for a late winter day in the hills of Upstate New York, which no doubt helped the atmosphere, but it also helps that Greek Peak is very cooperative with Spartan. The ski resort’s regular food options were all open and in full force, accommodating the post activity munchies of athletes from both disciplines, albeit at marked-up prices one has come to expect at such a destination.

• Pre-race MC:

I did not recognize the emcee as anyone I have encountered before. Either he was new or just not all that memorable to me.  It was the standard Spartan Race script we all know by now. He got through it relatively quickly, at least for Age Group.  I’m not sure competitive runners or regulars care as much about anything special, but an open runner or first timer is likely to want a little more mojo in the presentation.

• The Course:

If not for the snow cover and weather conditions, it would stack up as a basic Sprint course. You have a couple good inclines but nothing particularly notorious, especially if you frequent the major ski slope venues of the Northeast like I do. Spartan typically doesn’t bring new or different obstacles to this venue. Some, like Twister have failed to make an appearance here ever. The carries were left in the flatter parts of the course, helping avoid any major mishaps. The Multi Rig and monkey bars were set up in their more basic, user friendly incarnation such that any extra challenge would be provided by dealing with the snow and ice covering the hand holds. Olympus was also kept “home” in storage, but Z-Wall made what I reckon was its Winter Race debut.

But none of that is the point, it’s all about the winter weather, which has a history of being especially mercurial this time of year. You could have virtually the same course year to year and the weather will somehow make it unique.  The first year was minimal in the snow category, but temp below zero, which brought its own set of challenges. Last year was mid 20s and it snowed while the race was in progress. This year we had milder temps and sunny skies, but there was significant powder on the trails, which was like running in sand. Moreover, you had to calculate your every step a little differently because you could not see what lay under the snow, constantly looking for clues in the tracks of the athletes who went before you to avoid tripping or otherwise losing good footing.

Needless to say, I was not bored a single minute running this race, as I felt like I had to take in information, process and calculate every step, every move as I negotiated the trails. Quite simply, there is nothing like a winter race.

My only criticism of the course was the placement of the fire jump and finish. It was at a fairly-steep spot which racers approached from a curve, that had a slippery surface due to snow melting then refreezing into ice which could have caused racers to get injured. I personally rolled my ankle on my landing, which contributed to my decision to not do a second lap. I saw several other racers fall and tumble as the open waves came over the finish and heard reports of at least one person injuring their knee on the fire jump. I know the sport carries distinct risks and I readily accept them, but being the final photo op obstacle and finish line, it seemed like a place where it really shouldn’t have been that way.

• The Bling:

Finisher shirts were a unique long sleeve light blue, versus the standard finisher shirt color. There was no special logo for the winter race, but the long sleeve and the color change were a nice touch. As always, the finisher medals are a new design this year, with this year featuring some semi-transparent plastic in the design allowing light to permeate for a cool look.

• Overall Feelings and Event Rating:

Obstacle course racing is not just for the warmer months. Both Canada and America have multiple really good race series that have winter OCR races. If you haven’t tried a winter race you owe it to yourself to do at least one. Spartan’s take on a cold weather event is an excellent choice.

I give it 5.0 stars. Course was appropriate for the weather and terrain, never a dull moment while racing, everything ran smoothly getting there and the post-race was a fun time too! The weather gets a full 5 stars too!

Article Written by: Brian Kellogg, OCR Aficionado