UKOCR

This week Alan and Ian are back with another round of OCR and fitness racing chat!

📚 HOW NOT TO RUN A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – discussing the book and the issues surrounding the OCR World Championships in Ireland.

🏃 HYBRID GAMES REVIEW – the course, atmosphere, burpee lanes and spectator experience. How does it compare to Hyrox?

📊 FITNESS RACING – BEYOND THE COURSE – why backend infrastructure and standardised results matter.

❌ SUPERHUMAN GAMES CANCELLED – the latest news from the fitness racing world.

🇭🇷 SPARTAN CROATIA – results and a race review from Jason Brunnock.

🟠 TOUGH MUDDER MANCHESTER – mixed feedba...

The conversation continues in Part 2 of the UKOCR Q&A with British Obstacle Sports (BOS), tackling more questions from the OCR community about the future direction of the sport.

This time, the discussion moves into some big-picture issues:

🥇 Pentathlon GB & Governance
🌍 World Obstacle & International Governance
📈 Growing Participation in OCR
🎯 What Does Success Look Like?

Another important conversation about the direction of British OCR, the challenges facing the sport and what the future could look like.

🎙️ UKOCR Q&A – British Obstacle Sports | Part 2

💬 What do YOU think should be BOS's bigges...

Each episode, host Wil Chung teams up with elite athletes Becky Neal and Finley Greenleaf to break down the toughest races in OCR. From brutal obstacles to terrain tactics, they dive into what it really takes to conquer the course—and who's out there making waves. Whether you're chasing podiums or just chasing grit, this is your inside line to the athletes and strategies that matter.

Follow Wil chung  on  Instagram by Clicking Here or on YouTube by Clicking Here

Becky Neal is on Instagram Here

Finley Greenleaf is on Instagram Here

 ...

This week Alan and Ian discuss:

📱 FARMYARD JAM GOES VIRAL!

🚴 CHEATING, RACING & THE MENTAL BATTLE

🌩️ WHEN SHOULD A RACE BE STOPPED?

💰 HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH FOR A RACE?

🏃 3K RACING, RESULTS & CLOSE FINISHES

🧦 MERINO WOOL IS BACK!

🔥 HYROX – IS IT FAIR GAME?

📅 UPCOMING FITNESS RACING & OCR EVENTS

📺 3K & THE ENDURANCE LEAGUE

As always, grab yourself a drink, settle in and join Alan and Ian for another Swift Half! 🍺🏃‍♂️💪

Shout out to Justin Jones for the Commando series news

🎥 Watch this ep...

What does the future of Obstacle Course Racing in the UK look like?

In the latest UKOCR Q&A, questions from athletes and the OCR community are put directly to British Obstacle Sports (BOS), covering some of the key issues affecting the sport right now.

🏃‍♂️ Junior Pathway Development
🗺️ BOS Strategic Roadmap
👥 Membership Numbers
🇮🇪 Ireland World Championships
🔍 Conflict of Interest & Transparency

This is an opportunity to hear BOS's responses directly and get a better understanding of where the organisation sees the future of British OCR heading.

The Swift Half is back, and this week Alan and Ian have plenty to get stuck into!

They kick things off with the Greendale Performance Backyard Ultra, before turning their attention to the Spartan Pippingford Ultra and Super, including a discussion about the structure of elite and age-group categories in ultra racing.

The pair also discuss the difficult subject of Joe De Sena's email following a fatality at a Spartan race, looking at the timing of the communication and the reaction surrounding it. On a more positive note, they share some great feedback f...

Alan and Ian are joined by Sharon Newton to talk about her recent experience at Tough Mudder London South and, most importantly, the very special memorial wave held in honour of her late partner, Leon Kardwick.

Sharon takes us behind the scenes of the event, from the changes to the Tough Mudder course to the atmosphere of the memorial wave, which brought together friends, former solo mudders and members of the OCR community to celebrate Leon's life. With inflatables, Jägerbombs and plenty of memories along the way, it was a fitting tribute to someone who clearly m...

Each episode, host Wil Chung teams up with elite athletes Becky Neal and Finley Greenleaf to break down the toughest races in OCR. From brutal obstacles to terrain tactics, they dive into what it really takes to conquer the course—and who's out there making waves. Whether you're chasing podiums or just chasing grit, this is your inside line to the athletes and strategies that matter.

Follow Wil chung  on  Instagram by Clicking Here or on YouTube by Clicking Here

Becky Neal is on Instagram Here

Finley Greenleaf is on Instagram Here

 ...

This week on The Swift Half, Alan and Ian cover everything from pointless workplace policies to some of the biggest talking points in the fitness racing world.

The main discussion centres on the recent Hyrox Beijing race, where Joanna suffered a severe bowel accident during the competition. The incident sparked a huge reaction online, with plenty of criticism directed her way. Alan and Ian discuss what happened, the lack of clarity around the rules, Hyrox's response, and whether social media has taken the reaction too far.

There's plenty more fitness racing news too, i...

What does it take to conquer a technical Spartan course when you can't see the obstacles in front of you?

In this episode, we sit down with James, a visually impaired adaptive obstacle course racer, to explore his incredible journey into the world of OCR. We dive deep into his experience competing on the global stage at the Spartan Para World Championships in Finland, breaking down the specific demands of that brutal course.

We also explore the vital, high-stakes dynamic between an adaptive athlete and their guide. James shares the story of how he found...

In Episode 289 of The Swift Half, Alan and Ian return to cover the latest news, race recaps, and updates across the fitness, Hyrox, and obstacle course racing landscapes.

Alan kicks off the show with stories from his holiday in Devon, including the chaos of a lost phone and a train journey that didn't quite go to plan. Ian then delivers a roundup from the Deadly Dozen World Championships at Crystal Palace, highlighting the intense international competition and big prize money payouts for top finishers including Fabian Eisenlauer and Rachel Hodgkinson.

The guys also a...

In this episode, Alan sits down with Clara Norman — better known across the OCR world as The UK Dragon — fresh off completing her 101st Tough Mudder, making her the first female adaptive athlete to ever hit this milestone.

Clara opens up about her journey from martial arts, to a charity run that pulled her into OCR, to becoming an adaptive athlete after multiple injuries and surgeries, including a permanently deconditioned shoulder. She talks honestly about the obstacles she battles, the pain she manages, and the community that keeps her coming back.

The conversation dives into: 🔥 Her ach...

🎙️ THE SWIFT HALF – EPISODE 288 🎙️

Alan ia away so the team get to play

Ian is joined by Megan Tranter and Wil Chung for this packed episode of chit, chat and a bit of other stuff

🎧 Episode 288 – The Swift Half
Give it a listen, let us know what you think and, as always, share it with your running/OCR mates!

Watch this episode live on Youtube at UKOCR TV https://www.youtube.com/@UKOCR

 If you have any questions about the show or would like to explore advertising opportu...

Each episode, host Wil Chung teams up with elite athletes Becky Neal and Finley Greenleaf to break down the toughest races in OCR. From brutal obstacles to terrain tactics, they dive into what it really takes to conquer the course—and who's out there making waves. Whether you're chasing podiums or just chasing grit, this is your inside line to the athletes and strategies that matter.

Follow Wil chung  on  Instagram by Clicking Here or on YouTube by Clicking Here

Becky Neal is on Instagram Here

Finley Greenleaf is on Instagram Here

 ...

🎙️ THE SWIFT HALF – EPISODE 287 🎙️

It's another Swift Half and, despite a few technical difficulties thanks to some troublesome laptops, Alan & Ian are back with another packed episode! 😂💻

This week they chat about:

🏃 Runner's World advice – are eggs, granola and protein shakes really foods you should avoid before a run?

🏆 World's Toughest Mudder – bigger team relay options are coming. Could this change the game for team endurance racing?

🔥 HYROX & Amazon – a new partnership that could be a big one for the fitness world.

🇬🇧 European Championships – Liverpool is getting ready to host!

🙋 Volunteering at...

Alan & Ian are back with another round of OCR and fitness‑racing madness.

🏃‍♂️ Topics on tap: • Alan's soul‑token entry into the Greendale Performance Backyard Ultra

• A Titanic‑themed kids' slide that's… maybe not the best idea

• Spartan race results – high fees, low elites, and talk of dynamic pricing

• Tough Mudder Southwest brings back the Electric Eel ⚡ •

 AI gone rogue booking gym classes 🤖

• Anti‑doping updates across athletics

• Rugby legend David Jackson's 100 ultras in 100 days for charity 💪 Ultramarathons challenge for rugby star who had brain injury - BBC News

• Ian's return to running and a...

This week we dive into the latest OCR & fitness racing news — Decca's new regional champs, Sinead Bent teaming up with Adidas, and the Deadly Dozen making waves.   But the big one? Dawn joins us for a brutally honest breakdown of the OCR World Champs in Ireland… organisational chaos, and a community that still pulled together.   Plus: hamster Strava antics (yes, really) and what's coming up next in OCR.

If you have any questions about the show or would like to explore advertising opportunities, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

👉 Learn more about UKOCR by...

This week Ian and Alan dive into everything happening across the OCR world — from Farmyard Jam ticket buzz, 100-ball cricket chaos, Ireland's wild World Champs course, Deadly Dozen loops, burpees & relay results, Hyrox moving the Elite Series to Hamburg Nike's farm shoes (yes, really), Sophia Grant smashing the Via Alpina record, Josh Kerr's mile + the long‑unchanged $50k bonus, Nuclear Tribe & Brutal Weekend updates

But the heart of this episode is remembering Leon Hardwick. A true pillar of our community, taken far too soon. We'll be honouring Leon at London South with a memorial tribute that reflects the impact...

Each episode, host Wil Chung teams up with elite athletes Becky Neal and Finley Greenleaf to break down the toughest races in OCR. From brutal obstacles to terrain tactics, they dive into what it really takes to conquer the course—and who's out there making waves. Whether you're chasing podiums or just chasing grit, this is your inside line to the athletes and strategies that matter.

Follow Wil chung  on  Instagram by Clicking Here or on YouTube by Clicking Here

Becky Neal is on Instagram Here

Finley Greenleaf is on Instagram Here

 ...

Alan and Ian dive into a packed episode this week,  things get wonderfully unhinged as Alan unveils 24 animal‑themed jokes gifted by Victoria Wheelhouse at Farm Yard Jam — drip‑fed throughout the show like questionable race nutrition.

The lads bounce through everything from old‑school footballs that moved like UFOs, to celebrities (yes, even Harry Styles) turning up at running events, to the brilliantly bonkers "99 Laps" format that's part Backyard Ultra, part gladiator arena.

There's a full breakdown of recent race experiences — Decca Manchester highs and lows, Ultra race chaos, volunteer judge struggles, Yorkshire Tough Mudder's wi...

Each episode, host Wil Chung teams up with elite athletes Becky Neal and Finley Greenleaf to break down the toughest races in OCR. From brutal obstacles to terrain tactics, they dive into what it really takes to conquer the course—and who's out there making waves. Whether you're chasing podiums or just chasing grit, this is your inside line to the athletes and strategies that matter.

This week they are joined by Jason Brunnock

Follow Wil chung  on  Instagram by Clicking Here or on YouTube by Clicking Here

Becky Neal is on Instagram Here...

Alan and ian are back from their jollies with lots of topics for this week

This week:
• Paula's DIY adventures (and disasters)
• Farmyard Jam review
• Farm Yard Jam returns next year
• Dekka Cup results + chip‑time controversy
• Tough Mudder Yorkshire course breakdown
• New BBC guidelines for filming female athletes
• Spartan elite license

IDA on a Feris wheel - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbFoCTWixAd/?igsh=dXhtbjF2dTk5azhm

Watch this episode live on Youtube at UKOCR TV https://www.youtube.com/@UKOCR

 If you have any question...

🎙️ Wil Chung sits down with the athletes the day after World's Toughest Mudder — asking three simple but savage questions: 1️⃣ What was the suckiest part of WTM? 2️⃣ What was the best part? 3️⃣ And why should YOU sign up for WTM 2027?   From weekend warriors to finish‑line legends, hear raw reflections, laughs, and lessons from those who lived it.   💥 Real talk. Real mud. Real Tough Mudder.       👉Watch the full episode live on Youtube at UKOCR TV https://youtu.be/GAliO-ZHRT4     If you have any questions about the show or w

Ian's off on his jollies 🌴 and Alan's… somewhere in a field in Derby 🌾.

So, two of our regular guests have hijacked the mics for a full‑blown Swift Half takeover. Who are they? You'll have to listen in to find out — but expect chaos, banter, and a few surprises along the way.

🔥 No rules. No hosts. Just pure Swift Half energy. 👉 Tune in now on UKOCR / Swift Half Podcast

From weekend warriors to men's and women's champions, this one's raw.

🎙️ 23 unedited interviews recorded Saturday morning before the race — hear Wil Chung and the WTM athletes share their hopes, fears, and race plans in their own words.

No filters. No edits. Just real voices from the world's toughest start line.

Watch this episode live on Youtube at UKOCR TV https://www.youtube.com/@UKOCR

 If you have any questions about the show or would like to explore advertising opportunities, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

👉 Learn...

Alan and Ian are back behind the mics, diving head‑first into the latest chaos from the world of fitness racing and OCR.

🏃‍♂️ Topics on tap: • A free 6‑hour Backyard Ultra hitting London — who's brave enough • The launch of Omorpho weighted apparel — game‑changer or gimmick • Western States smashes records with 74 finishers • PT Barn's 400‑m UK Champs cancelled — now a training day • Spartan Worlds Morzine: Sabrina Diallo 🇿🇦 & Gregory Basilico 🇫🇷 take the crowns • Deadly Dozen Youth Champs, OPP400, and the rise of ultra‑running — is short‑course OCR losing its spark

🎙️ Tune in for banter, insight, and the inside line on what's hot (and what's not) in the OCR and...

Wil, Becky and Finley break down the next stop in the UKOCR Series: the Midlands Spartan Sprint. From savage obstacles to smart terrain tactics, they dig into what it really takes to smash this course — and who's turning heads going into race day.

Whether you're hunting podiums or just showing up for the grit, this episode gives you the inside track on the athletes, the strategies, and the stories shaping the Sprint.

Follow Wil chung  on  Instagram by Clicking Here or on YouTube by Clicking Here

Becky Neal is on Instagram Here

F...

Alan and Ian are back along with out roving reporter Wil Chung in a packed episode full of race updates, event chatter, and a few laughs along the way.

They cover everything from the sold‑out IKEA and Tesco races to changes in the Spartan Midlands series, plus thoughts on World's Toughest Mudder, and a DQ overturned celebration story.

Also in this episode:

Alan's WTM injury update and the £40 brunch debate 🍳

Tough Mudder course review – s, new obstacles, and media lap ,mayhem with Wil and Iris

WTM recap – Dassos Gonella's 115...

Your Weekly dose of current news from the OCR, Fitness Racing and adventure running scene with Pub landlord Alan and Regular Ian

Watch this episode live on Youtube at UKOCR TV https://www.youtube.com/@UKOCR

 If you have any questions about the show or would like to explore advertising opportunities, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].

👉 Learn more about UKOCR by clicking here
💖 Enjoy what we do? Support us on Patreon for as little as £2 per month

☕🍺 or treat us to a coffee or beer...

Alan and Wil sit down with Tough Mudder HQ for an exclusive deep‑dive into World's Toughest Mudder 2026 — and yes, we brought YOUR questions with us.

We pressed TMHQ on everything the community wants to know: • What obstacles are coming? • Will there be a slide this year • What's happening with the Weighted Widget, Morning Glory, and the new tech on course • How the team is levelling up the experience for 2026

We even got a few sneaky insider hints, plus a brand‑new puzzle piece to reveal… and trust us, this one's juicy.

If you love WTM, To...

Alan and Wil are back with a deep dive into the World's Toughest Mudder 2026 course preview, breaking down the AI‑modified map, new puzzle pieces, and what's changed around markers 17 and 18.

They chat through terrain details, obstacles, and the quirks of editing maps that seem to have a mind of their own — plus a few laughs about Gemini's mapping tool and its creative numbering.

Also in this episode:

The Adaptive Athlete Podium debut and what it means for inclusivity in OCR.

Total Warrior 12K highlights — 6,000 schoolkids, epic obstacles, and a buzzing event villag...

Wil chats with Leanne, Charlie and Alan*

Whether you're tackling World's Toughest Mudder for the first time or just need a refresher before heading back into the pit, this episode's packed with timeless advice from those who've been there, done that, and still have the mud on their shoes.

Originally recorded ahead of last year's event, it's just as relevant for 2025 — covering pit setup hacks, nutrition and hydration strategies, gear choices, pacing, and mental prep to help you go the distance.

It's the ultimate reminder of what makes WTM special: grit, community, and a w...

Alan and Ian cram a wild mix of endurance sport stories, community updates, and classic pub chat into this week's Swift Half:

Backyard Ultra DQ after 53 hours a member of teh public gets you DQ'ed - 

Content & gear updates including Total Warrior giveaways, new Puma kit, and upcoming Hyrox/Deka/Deadly Dozen news.

YouTube recording plans, Yorkshire weather misery, and their hatred of "grow your podcast" spam.

The Lucky Duck Bar in Rochdale— venue with full duck décor.

Fruit imports & viral alpacas, from Scottish bananas to Elvis the trou...

Alan, Charlie, Leanne & Wil are back to talk all things World's Toughest Mudder 2026 — swapping stories, strategies, and predictions for the big weekend ahead.

From pit setups and hydration hacks to obstacle rumours (yes, Netflix & Chill might return 👀), this crew covers it all. Charlie shares why he's sitting this one out after a marathon work run, while Wil gears up for on‑site media coverage and promises to take your suggestions straight to TMHQ.

It's packed with laughs, lessons, and insider tips from those who've been there, done that, and still have the mud on their shoes.<...

Alan and Ian are back behind the mic with a packed episode that hops from European travel chaos to OCR race drama and everything in between.

They kick things off with tales from Montenegro, including Alan's encounter with siren‑blaring paramedics on electric bikes at the One Run race. From there, it's a deep dive into Eurochamps and obstacle designs, comparing Spain's grip‑heavy rigs to the UK's fast‑flowing courses — all while sipping Swedish cider and fermented apple juice.

The pair stay with the Euro Championships, dissecting safety lessons from a rope‑snap incident, before spotli...

Ian is Back with Megan the staning landlady

🏕 Tough Mudder Camping Chaos

£60 volunteer camping fees, early shifts, and US‑style logistics headaches spark debate.

🗺 Scotland Course Maps Breakdown

Spartan vs Tough Mudder: big rigs return, 30‑obstacle layouts, and what's exclusive to the 15K.

🌍 OCRWC & Euros Drama

Low turnout in Australia, political tension in Spain, and Megan heading out to commentate live.

🇬🇧 UK Champs Highlights

Dave Parkin dominates, Rachel Joy sets a world record, and Deadly Dozen proves brutally strength‑heavy.

🏋️ Spartan Elite Series Shake‑Up

In this episode Wil, Becky and Finley are joined by Team UK Captain, Tamar Barclay and Vice-Captain, Andrew Durrance.   They discuss the upcoming European Championships in Irun, Spain including 100m, 3km and 12km races, courses (wow - that elevation!) and obstacles.   They talk about the squad (biggest youth squad so far?) and where there may be chances of medals.   Best of luck to all racing in Irun!

Follow Wil Chung  on YouTube by Clicking Here

Becky Neal is on Instagram Here

Finley Greenleaf is on Instagram Here

If you have any questions about the sh...

In this inspiring episode, Alan sits down with Harry Taroni, owner of Greendale Performance Gym, to explore his remarkable transformation from late‑starter in fitness to Ironman competitor and event organiser. Harry opens up about his journey from being overweight to becoming a competitive amateur boxer, then pushing his limits through endurance racing.

He shares details of his upcoming Backyard Ultra at Manor Farm on 25 September, a £95 event featuring a unique twist — a chain medal for every DNF and special pre‑race packages for participants. The conversation dives into the mindset behind endurance sport, the creativity of event design, and the...

This week on the Swift Half features guest Landlady Meg Tranter and guest regular Graham Wells joining Ian given that Alan is on his wedding holiday.

The big news this week was the start of the Spartan Race season at Henley. How did our guests experience go? We have all the information including what the ideal obstacle density is and how you solve a problem like athletes not racing the Elite waves.

Away from Spartan we consider the Tough Mudder Ambassador hub in the Mudder Village, take a look at Born Survivor and chat about...

Each episode, host Wil Chung teams up with elite athletes Becky Neal and Finley Greenleaf to break down the toughest races in OCR. From brutal obstacles to terrain tactics, they dive into what it really takes to conquer the course—and who's out there making waves. Whether you're chasing podiums or just chasing grit, this is your inside line to the athletes and strategies that matter.

Follow Wil chung  on  Instagram by Clicking Here or on YouTube by Clicking Here

Becky Neal is on Instagram Here

Finley Greenleaf is on Instagram Here

I...