They say everything’s bigger in Texas, and that only means one thing: Tough Mudder Houston is as big and bad as they come. Thanks to Creekside Edge ATV Park where you’ll be running up to 12 miles through what it typically ATV terrain–which means you can expect some serious mud, challenging trails, and lots of quad-crushing hills. Not to mention, you’ll be running through sand. Once you get to the finish, though, it’s time to enjoy post-race festivities in downtown Houston. Here’s what to do, where to stay, and what to eat to fuel yourself before and after Tough Mudder Houston.

Texas is known for its BBQ, so your first stop should probably be Gatlin’s BBQ, two-time winner of the Houston Press BBQ Award. Gatlin’s prides itself on their high quality ribs, brisket, sausages, and more–all served with what they refer to as southern hospitality. Need some literal stick-to-your-ribs food to fuel up for Tough Mudder? You’ve come to the right place.

Looking for breakfast fare, instead? No visit to Houston is complete without a meal at The Breakfast Club, named one of the best breakfast restaurants in the nation. This kasual–yes, they even say with a ‘k’–diner serves up southern fare so get ready to leave feeling stuffed. Think Wings & Waffles (six fried chicken wings served atop a golden Belgian waffle), Katfish & Grits (grilled catfish and grits, served with potatoes or 2 eggs) or even some healthier options like omelettes and fruit bowls.

Houston is a diverse city, and with that comes diverse cuisine. Himalaya, a restaurant serving authentic Pakistani and Indian cuisine, offers unique meals with a twist–and at an affordable price, too. Try the Paratha-dilla, an Indian twist on the Mexican classic which substitutes Indian flatbread for the flour tortillas. Or, sample the Chultz, Chicken Fried Steak that has been seasoned with Indian masala spices. Several vegetarian and vegan options are available, like the Mirchon Ka Salan. The dish takes nearly four hours to prepare and includes 67 ingredients, so you know it has to be good.

For unpretentious soul food at a sit-down restaurant, check out Kitchen 713. Head there for brunch like staples like avocado toast, biscuit and gravy, and pancakes–made with sweet potato, ricotta, and topped with lemon curd, granola and blueberry-maple syrup. Whether this is your pre or post-event treat, your taste buds will thank you.

Experience the adrenaline-rush of an unpowered flight while sailing over Houston at the Greater Houston Soaring Association. This 30-minute ride will bring you and your glider pilot into the sky. Keep an eye out for the Tough Mudder course. If flying isn’t your thing, check out Wake Nation Houston, where wakeboarders are pulled around a 12-acre lake by an overhead cable system. If you know what you’re doing, try the custom built jumps and rails to up your wake game. Wake Nation Houston also has an Aerial Adventures Rope Course where you can safely practice your balance, strength, and climbing skills.

Still looking to work your muscles? Head to the Texas Rock Gym, a state-of-the-art climbing facility that provides 14,000 square feet of climbable surfaces with 42 top ropes and a large bouldering area. Skilled climbers are on hand to show you the (literal) ropes and safety, and several additional classes, like yoga, primal fitness, and tai-chi, are also available.

Craving something a little more peaceful? Rent a car or take a shuttle to Natural Bridge Caverns, the largest commercial caverns in Texas. Though 190 miles outside of downtown Houston, this is one tour well worth the drive. Consider the Discovery Tour to see magnificent stalagmites, stalactites, chandeliers and soda straws–180 feet below ground. For a creepy experience, take the Lantern Tour, the first tour of the day. Participants will experience all the beauty of the caverns, but only by the light of their personal lanterns.

For gear that covers every need–from the sky, to the water, and even underground, check out Merrell’s new 2017 line.

For a budget-friendly stay with particularly plush accommodations, check out the HI Houston, The Rich Morty Hostel. Located in an historic mansion in the exciting Montrose neighborhood, filled with colorful tattoo parlors, cozy cafes, and art galleries. The hostel offers a free continental breakfast and a pool. Not to mention, you can say you stayed you’ve stayed in a mansion–for under $26 a night.

Needing something a little more luxurious (and a lot more quiet)? Hotel ZaZa is an art boutique hotel, so expect bright, flashy colors, fine dining, and pet-friendly rooms so Fido can sleep well, too. Hotel ZaZa Houston is centrally located in the museum district, making this a first rate choice if you’re looking to explore even one of the 19 cultural institutions that make up this area. Museums not your thing? Nearby Hermann Park offers a golf course, jogging track, and an outdoor theatre. There’s no shortage of activities here.

Interested in history? The Hotel ICON was built in 19111 as the Union National Bank Building but has since been converted into an award-winning hotel. As an added bonus, the hotel offers a shuttle than can drop you off or pick you up within a 3-mile radius of the hotel.

For lodging close to the Tough Mudder Houston venue, check out your options here.

The Course

Toughest Mudder Midwest, held in Chicago, doled out a fast, flat and super competitive course. In a surprise twist, obstacles did not open until 2:30 a.m., meaning that the first two and a half hours of the race was a battle of leg speed.

The five and a half hours that followed brought obstacles that were placed in clusters, as opposed to spread out as they had been in previous Toughest Mudder courses, which made for several challenging sections. “Arctic Enema was a doozy this time—especially right before Funky Monkey,” said Allison Tai. Plus, there was plenty of water thanks to the night crossing of the Kishwaukee River and obstacles like Augustus Gloop, Arctic Enema, and Blockness Monster, which meant plenty of mud. “The ground got pretty slick after the rain came on my last lap which made traction hard to come by” said Tai.

While a flatter course made for faster times, it also meant a lot more running. “I found that constantly running the same terrain really wore on my body,” said Ryan Atkins. “I’ve been running mountains for the last months, so the flatness was a definite weakness for me.” Despite their challenges, however, ultimately Allison Tai and Ryan Atkins took the win for both Toughest Mudder Midwest and the Toughest Mudder competitive series.

Women’s Race

Allison Tai has run strong all season, placing 3rd at Canada, 1st at Northeast, 2nd at South, and 3rd at West. So while this weekend’s race had plenty of competition, it was her win to take. With an incredible 45 miles in 8 hours, 14 minutes, Tai finished Toughest Mudder Midwest with a 1st place win. Second-place Zoe Chazen also ran a strong race to complete 40 miles in 7 hours, 57 minutes while Alex “Chikorita” Roudayna came in less than a minute behind in 7 hours, 58 minutes for Third-place. Fourth-place went to Morgan McKay who ran 40 miles in 8 hours, 18 minutes, while Kc Northup finished fifth with 35 miles in 7 hours, 32 minutes. 

Men’s Race

Having won Toughest Mudder Canada, Toughest Mudder Northeast, Toughest Mudder South, and Toughest Mudder West already this season, Ryan Atkins pulled out his fastest time yet, running 50 miles in 7 hours and 50 minutes at this weekend’s Chicago race. His strong finish left him with a 150 miles logged this season in a cumulative time of 24 hours, 16 minutes, 35 seconds and a 2017 Tough Mudder Competitive Series win. Matthew Lister ran a strong race to complete 50 miles in 8 hours, 14 minutes with Tyler Nash just 12 minutes back. In fourth place was Kris Mendoza with 45 miles in 7 hours, 44 minutes, while Miguel Medina finished the 45 miles just six minutes behind Mendoza.

For a full list of race results from Toughest Mudder Midwest, click here.

Toughest Mudder Series Winners

With the conclusion of Toughest Mudder Midwest, Ryan Atkins and Allison Tai took the win for the 2017 Toughest Mudder Series, finishing a total of 150 miles and 120 miles, respectively. Atkins completed his 150 in a total time of 24:16:35 while Tai ran her 120 in 23:12:46. In the men’s standings, Tyler Nash ultimately placed second behind Atkins with 135 miles in 24:38:09 while Kris Mendoza completed 125 miles in 23:55:26. In the women’s standings, Lindsay Webster, who was absent at this race, completed a total of 120 miles in 24:08:18, while Alex “Chikorita” Roudayna was third with 110 miles in 24:09:05.

For a full list of the Toughest Mudder Rankings, click here. 

What: America’s Toughest Mudder Midwest
Where: Rockford International Airport
When: August 26-27, 2017
Predicted Weather: High of 82°F, low of 63° overnight; sunny
Total Gains: 176 ft. per loop
Athletes on Course: 900+
Live Overnight Coverage: Facebook and Instagram
For Live Race Standings: Click here.

The Course

America’s Toughest Mudder Midwest doesn’t have the elevation gain of Toughest Mudder Canada, but don’t expect this course to be easy. In fact, it might be the most challenging one you’ve faced. Whereas previous Toughest Mudders have been spaced out to allow you to catch your breath before heading back into another tough obstacle, Chicago is throwing all it has at you with a large number of obstacles (17, the most of all previous Toughest Mudder courses.) To make it worse, the course is set up in clusters: for example, you’ll be hitting Arctic Enema then immediately going into Funky Monkey: The Revolution. Try that for grip work (if you can stop shivering long enough to grab hold.) Where there aren’t hills, there is water. Look out for a middle-of-the-night crossing of the Kishwaukee (amicably known as “The Kish”) to keep things chilly and any optioned penalties to be particularly brutal. In other words, for those afraid of a bit of a shock at Operation, here’s your warning now: the penalty option is likely far worse than the obstacle itself. 

The Obstacles

-Tube Tied
-Skidmarked
-Mud Mile
-Kiss of Mud
-Blockness Monster
-Kishwaukee Krusade
-Augustus Gloop
-Black Hole
-Stage 5 Clinger
-Operation
-Arctic Enema
-Funky Monkey
-Hangtime
-T-Boned
-Everest 2.0
-Pyramid Scheme
-Kong

The Women’s Race

Lindsay Webster has taken first at each Toughest Mudder she’s raced— Canada, West, and South —making her the number one ranked female and 5th overall in the Toughest Mudder rankings with 120 logged miles. But, with Webster unconfirmed for Toughest Mudder Midwest in Chicago, it’s possible that 2nd place female and 6th overall Allison Tai outruns Webster in the Toughest Rankings. Tai currently sits at 110 miles, ahead of 3rd place Sara Knight who’s finished 105 miles. It’s worth noting that Tai has placed 3rd at Canada, 1st at Northeast, 2nd at South, and 3rd at West, which means Tai could very well take Chicago for the win.

Expect Tai and Knight to battle it out in front, but don’t count out Morgan McKay, Adriane Alvord, and Kc Northup who have all placed within the top 10 in several races.

Of interest is Jesi Stracham, a paraplegic athlete who will be running Chicago in preparation for World’s Toughest Mudder. Erock, Tough Mudder emcee, and Jason Antin, World’s Toughest Mudder legionnaire and Merrell Ambassador, will be assisting Jesi during the night. Look for updates on Jesi throughout the race on Facebook live.

The Men’s Race

Reigning men’s champion, Ryan Atkins, currently sits at a stout 145 miles, ahead of all other contenders by at least 25 miles. Like Webster, Atkins placed first at Canada, West, and South and is likely to take the podium at this weekend’s Chicago, too. Look for a strong competitor in Mark Jones who placed 4th at Northeast and 5th at West. Other notable elites at Chicago include Mark James and Joel Forsyth.

Re-watch the Toughest Series on CBS Sports Network: 

America’s Toughest Mudder Northeast: Philadelphia 

• August 24th at 7:00 PM & 10:00 PM
• August 27th at 1:00 AM & 10:00 AM
• September 2nd at 2:00 AM

America’s Toughest Mudder West: Los Angeles

• August 27th at 2:00 AM 
• September 2nd at 2:00 AM

America’s Toughest Mudder South: Atlanta

• September 2nd at 3:00 AM

What: Toughest Mudder Whistler
When: June 17-18, 2017
Predicted Weather:  High of 62°F, low of 42°F with showers
Format: 5-mile loop with 17 obstacles
Total Elevation Gain Per Lap: It’s a surprise
Runners on Course: 292
Live Overnight Coverage: Facebook and Instagram
For Live Race Standings:  click here

Plan for Toughest Mudder Whistler to live up to its name. For one, it’s located at Whistler Olympic Park, home to the 2010 Winter Olympics. Featuring double-diamond-steep and root-strewn trails, cold alpine air, and plenty of thick mud, Toughest Mudder Whistler will be no joke. Black bears native to the area will provide plenty of excitement, (though all participants are asked to leave food off the course to prevent bear/human run-ins) and cold temperatures will challenge even the  Look for this to be the Toughest Mudder yet.

The Course

Canada’s Toughest Mudder will feature technical trail running, notable elevation gain and loss, and a challenging line-up of obstacles. Look for the course to change at 4 a.m. as the famous Olympic Whistler Park ski jump opens up. Participants will be required to run up the jump at the start of each lap.

Obstacles

• Balls to the Wall
• Funky Monkey The Revolution
• Hangtime
• Augustus Gloop
• Black Hole
• Stage 5 Clinger
• Mud Mile 2.0
• Arctic Enema: The Rebirth
• Operation
• Skidmarked
• Pyramid Scheme
• Shawshanked
• Lumberjacked
• Everest 2.0
• Kiss of Mud 2.0
• The Blockness Monster
• Kong

Women’s Preview

The women’s race includes one half of the Webster-Atkins power couple, Lindsay Webster, who finished first at Toughest Mudder West and Toughest Mudder South. While Webster wasn’t present for Europe’s Toughest Mudder or Toughest Mudder Northeast, it might mean she’s actually better primed to take the win at this weekend’s race.

Stefanie Bishopcould be a likely contender for the win depending on her goals for the race. While she ran Toughest Mudder Northeast, a late winter injury has left Bishop with the desire to run, but not yet race, Toughest Mudder Whistler. “I’m going out there to push a little harder than I did in Philly and race my own race,” she says. “6 laps would be great, 7 may be a stretch given the terrain, but as long as I’m having fun, it will be successful.” As many competitors have noted, dressing appropriately for the forecasted low temperatures will make or break both the enjoyment, and ability to complete, the course.

Allison Tai and Kayla Kobelin, previously expected to compete, will not be attending this weekend’s event.

Men’s Preview 

The men’s race is shaping up to be the most competitive in the Road to World’s Toughest Mudder series. With current leader Ryan Atkins–winner of Toughest Mudder West and Toughest Mudder South–slated to compete, along with Austin Azar, Trevor Cichosz, Kris Mendoza, Chad Trammell, and Wesley Kerr, Toughest Mudder Whistler is guaranteed to be a challenge.

Ryan Atkins was notably out of Toughest Mudder Philadelphia following an injury, but it’s unlikely that he’ll be any less primed to win. Though he’s only admitted to going in without any expectations, the steep, rough course and cold weather is well suited to Atkin’s strengths.

Both Chad Trammell and Trevor Cichosz have the potential to outrun Atkins here, with Trammell placing second at Toughest Mudder West and Europe’s Toughest Mudder and Cichosz taking the win at Toughest Mudder Northeast following a return from injury earlier this year. Says Cichosz, “Whistler is going to be a big question mark for me.” While he’s familiar with the terrain, having run the venue twice before, the technical trails could pose a challenge. “I’m always hoping to improve on my last performance but I don’t think I’ll be setting record mileage at the Whistler venue.” Having made the elite contender status for World’s Toughest Mudder in November, the added pressure of a mileage goal should keep Cichosz calm and controlled during the race.

Austin Azar has had a solid reason this spring with a fourth place at Toughest Mudder West and a third place at Toughest Mudder Philadelphia, finishing 40 miles only 20 minutes behind of race-winner Cichosz. While Azar is currently dealing with some hip issues, if he recovers before the race, he’s aiming for at least 45 miles. “The distance was obtainable for me at the first two Toughest events, but I didn’t have very good days,” says Azar. “I expect [Toughest Mudder Whistler] to be hilly and very cold…maybe even some snow?”

Kris Mendoza has been absent from the Toughest Mudder podium this spring, but is well prepared for Toughest Mudder Whistler. Aiming for 40 miles with a reach for 45 miles, Mendoza, like most of the competitors going into this race, has reservations about the cold temperatures forecasted for Saturday night and early Sunday morning. “The cold will make it very difficult to complete grip strength obstacles,” says Mendoza. “Maintaining body temperature will be much more difficult and I plan to see people wearing much thicker layers compared to other races as well.”

While Wesley Kerr doesn’t have the podium results from the Toughest Mudder series so far, he does have the drive for endurance. “I’ve heard that the course will be like [Toughest Mudder West] with more obstacles and less hills,” says Kerr. “It’s being billed the hardest Toughest. If you look at past performance, I shine when the suck gets turned to 11, so I’m happy about that.” Kerr is aiming for 45 miles, but ultimately feels, but the great decider will be the course itself. Look for this one to be tough.

Tough Mudders are held in a slew of locations around the globe, so why not take a trip and participate in a destination Tough Mudder? Listed below are five awesome places to enjoy before and after your Tough Mudder.

1.  Seattle, September 16 & 17, 2017

Dear Mudder Nation,

Among the exciting new changes to the World’s Toughest Mudder format for 2017 is the creation of the National Team Relay category.  This format promises to pit teams of 4 (or more) from nations across the world against each other in a fast-paced, strategic 24-hour competition.  Teams will be required to run the first and last lap of the competition together, with all other laps being completed by a minimum of 50% of the team at a time.  

Every year we at TMHQ try to provide a platform for athletes to come and push the limits of human endurance, and that is the driving force behind the decision to introduce this new team category.  We want to see how athletes approach this new challenge and showcase new methods of strategy and teamwork.  As past World’s Toughest athletes know, resting for extended periods of time during the race can be a bad thing – once momentum is lost it’s hard to regain.  For this reason, teams who participate in this new format will have to plan very carefully how they approach this race.  Trade each lap and take a break?  Run three laps and give teammates time to catch a few minutes of much-needed sleep?  Have one strong runner out there the whole time being paced by teammates?  TMHQ is excited to see what competitors bring to the table in this entirely new challenge.

For all teams who wish to compete in this exciting new category, applications can be filled out here.  Only one member of the team needs to complete the form.  Once completed, TMHQ will reach out to each team to obtain proof of identity and nationality of all team members.

The official 2017 World’s Toughest Mudder rules will be released in the coming months, but below is a brief overview of some of the key rules related to the National Team Relay format:

• Competitors must all be registered participants of the same nationality
• Must fill out a National Team (4+) application  by September 1st to run as National Team

• Must complete first lap and last lap as a full team, all other laps require at least 50% or more of the team on-course to have laps count towards overall mileage
• All relay laps completed between the first and last lap can be completed by any combination of team members. For example:

1. Athlete 1 runs three laps in a row, each with a different teammate
2. Athlete 1 & Athlete 2 run one lap together, Athlete 3 & Athlete 4 run one lap together, repeat

• Teams are allowed to disband and continue the event as individuals, however each athlete will only be credited with miles/laps that they have individually completed up to that point
• Individuals within teams will still be eligible for mileage perks based on their individual achievement within the event
• National Teams will be eligible to win cash prizing in the National Team Category
• All teammates must have achieved Contender status for team to receive contender perks

Within the National Team Relay category, teams may also register as either First Responder or Armed Services of their particular nation.  All team members must be of the same nationality and affiliated with the chosen service category for the team to be eligible for this additional category.  It is common knowledge that firefighters everywhere think they are the most badass creatures on the planet.  Now we will find out who truly wins in an all-out battle of guts and glory:  the American firefighters vs. los bomberos Mexicanos vs. les pompiers Français.  Throw into that mix teams of US Navy Seals, Israeli special forces, Canadian policemen, and British Royal Air Force and you’ve got a cocktail of badassery that promises to deliver fireworks.

Up for grabs with this additional category within the National Team Relay competition is pride, a sweet trophy, and ultimate international bragging rights.

Through the application process, National Teams can additionally identify as either:

Tough Mudder 5K is not your average fun run. With 10 signature teamwork obstacles crammed into 3 wild miles, this Tough Mudder event is all the tough with none of the mud. There’s no timing chips or first-place medals here — it’s a new breed of 5K in Nashville’s most iconic venues: Nissan Stadium.

Here are 7 reasons why Tough Mudder 5K will be your best weekend of Summer.

1. Nashville is Awesome

There are few cities climbing up the destination list at the speed of Nashville. Between the pro sports scene, the country music atmosphere, and the entertaining nightlife, the Music City is where it’s at. Which is why Tough Mudder chose downtown Nashville to host the first-ever Tough Mudder 5K event on August 12.

Shawn Booth, Season 11 winner on The Bachelorette, calls the Music City home and will be participating in Tough Mudder 5K – which makes him the ideal tour guide for those traveling near and far to take on the challenge. Shawn has always known how much Nashville has to offer. “Right now, Nashville is just absolutely crazy and growing. There’s so much energy here. Every day of the week, you can go downtown and see people out having a good time” he said. “People have a blast when they come here. It’s place where you could host any event and it would be awesome.”

2. The Obstacles Are Badass

With some of the best obstacles on the Tough Mudder menu making an appearance, this 5K promises to be like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. You’ll get vertical on Everest 2.0 as you sprint up a slick quarter pipe, then reach for your teammates who are waiting to pull you up and over the wall. You’ll lend a helping hand (or shoulder, or leg, or head) on Pyramid Scheme as you work together to form a human pyramid that your fellow mudders can climb. You’ll be (nearly) pinned down by a giant cargo net as you crawl forward with the help of your teammates on Devil’s Beard. And you’ll even swing your way to success on Ape Shit.

3. The Venue Is Iconic

Not only do you get to scale walls, swing on monkey bars, and lug weights on course. You get to do it at Nissan Stadium, home of the Titans. “I think a lot of Titans fans are going to enjoy that. Even if you’re not a Titans fan, it’s going to be cool doing a Tough Mudder at an NFL stadium. That’s not an opportunity you get very often” says Shawn.

4. You’ll Become Part of Mudder Nation

If you’re planning on tackling the 5K earbuds in, head down, think again. Whether you arrive to the event solo or with a team, you’ll experience the camaraderie and sportsmanship that make all Tough Mudder events so special. And as you cross the finish line, you’ll become a member of the biggest, baddest team on planet: Mudder Nation.

5. The Food is Tops

When it comes to post-5K fuel, there is no shortage of options just blocks away from the downtown venue. Celebrate with BBQ on Broadway, indulge in crispy chicken right across the street at Pinewood Social, or hit up M Street for a slew of joints with the vibes you’ll be craving post-event.

If you’re in the early heat and your stomach is screaming for brunch with your cross-line finish, check out The Tavern, Shawn’s favorite brunch spot in the city. Or if you’re like Shawn and want to feast on a burger post-run, check out Paradise Park for the ultimate all-American burger-experience.

6. The Bar Scene is Wild

When it comes to destination runs, Nashville is as wild as it gets. With tons of day-drinking spots decorating the streets across from the TM venue and people with good attitudes looking to make memories and have fun, make sure you reserve a night for walking along Broadway. You might catch Shawn celebrating the 5K finish with his crew at Honky Tonk Central, a wild 3 story bar with live music. The party will be in full swing, the honky tonks will be happening, and you won’t be able to tell for sure whether you’re in Vegas or Nashville.

7. You’ll Get a Sneak Peak For Tough Mudder Half and Full

Once you  finish the wild 3-mile ride that is Tough Mudder 5K, and claim you’re first headband, you’ll be hungry for more: more toughness, more mud, more obstacles. While you’re basking in the feeling of another event well-run, you’ll already be lining up for your next challenge. Good thing that on September 16th and 17th Tough Mudder will meet Nashville for a second time with the Tough Mudder Half and Tough Mudder Full. You’ll get the itch after you finish the 5K, trust us.

Ever wondered where in the world your true volunteer calling is? Should you be heading to a castle in Scotland or to the mountains in Canada? Maybe you’ve always felt you’re better suited for Australian summers?

We’ve made it easy with this handy quiz. Maybe this will inspire your next trip away to include some international MVPing.

Join Coach and 2016 World’s Toughest Mudder Champ, Stef Bishop, as they run all over on The ‘Couve to work on their speed, agility, and strength. With a sword fight, some indoor climbing, orca-burpees, and a little swing dancing, they live life to the fullest Coachified-style.

Podcasting is an increasingly popular way for people to entertain themselves. According to a 2016 Pew Research Center study, 36% of Americans age 12 or older have listened to a podcast in their lifetime, up from 27% in 2013. Of those 36%, 21% have listened to a podcast in the month, which is an increase from 12% in 2013. Podcasts are audio recordings (some podcasts include video too) available on multiple services such as iTunes and Podcast One that provide listeners with a new way to follow a specific brand, personality, or industry. From expert interviews to instructional seminars, podcasts are a great way to learn high-quality information at a low cost.

Podcasts are one of the more popular ways to find out the latest about obstacle course racing (OCR) athletes, course previews, and post-event analysis’ from athletes who ran and industry-insiders. Tough Mudder, our athletes, ambassadors, and obstacle designers have been featured on and are the subject of several podcasts and is a great way to stay on top of what’s happening on Tough Mudder courses throughout the season. Tune into these five OCR podcasts to expand your obstacle knowledge in a new way.

Obstacle Racing Media Podcast

The most consistent OCR podcast has been Obstacle Racing Media (ORM) Podcast, which boasts almost 250 episodes at time of writing. Interviews and race recaps are the main two components of the ORM podcast, and everyone who’s anyone in obstacle racing have shared their thoughts with host Matt B. Davis, who has been covering the sport of OCR for years. The clever episode titles add a nice flair to an objective production.

Host: Matt B. Davis
First Episode Released: 2013
Obstacleracingmedia.com/category/podcast

World’s Toughest Podcast

Hosted by OCR athlete and World’s Toughest Mudder participant Will Hicks, this podcast is centered around Tough Mudder Legionnaires and their stories of triumph and training. The podcast includes hot topics amongst the Tough Mudder community, Tougher and Toughest course previews and recaps, and athlete interviews with a focus on how events play into preparation for World’s Toughest Mudder.

Host: Will Hicks
First Episode Released: February 2017
Worldstoughestpodcast.libsyn.com/podcast

OCR Radio by the AthElite

Personal trainer and OCR athlete Stephanie Keenan of the AthElite training systems launched OCR Radio this year, geared towards people from all walks of life, including those have never even heard of obstacle course racing. While the expert guests may be from different fitness avenues, such as running and kettlebell training, Coach Steph asks how their advice applies to obstacle course racing. For the fitness enthusiast looking to try something new, tune into OCR Radio for an introduction of how to train for race.

Host: Stephanie Keenan
First Episode Released: February 2017
Theathelite.com/ocr-radio-intro 

Obstacle Dominator

Endurance athletes and coaches Ben Greenfield and Hunter McIntyre team up to provide expert tips, tricks, interviews and funny shenanigans on their Obstacle Dominator podcast. Greenfield is known for his “biohacking” and advice for pushing the mind forward to propel the body in various professional sports and McIntyre has conquered just about every obstacle course someone has put in front him, including 76 miles of World’s Toughest Mudder in 2014.

Together, the “been there done that” bros hold live Q&A’s, taking questions from social media, and also have their guests take listener questions too.
First Episode Released: 2014
Hosts: Ben Greenfield and Hunter McIntyre
Obstacledominator.com/category/podcast 

Dirt in Your Skirt: The Podcast

Margaret Schlachter is the editor in chief of Mud Run Guide and the creator of the Dirt in Your Skirt podcast, where she interviews female obstacle course racers, expert coaches and runners about their training and nutrition plans, personal backgrounds and much more. Always on the front lines of OCR news, Schlachter’s access to the fiercest and most inspirational ladies in the endurance community is impressive and her interview style lends well to lengthy interviews.

First Episode Released: 2016
Host: Margaret Schlachter
Dirtinyourskirt.com/podcast