Welp unfortunately #coronavirus is still a thing...and if you are reading this and had any plans for this coming summer...especially obstacle-course-race-themed plans...it is likely that at least some of them have been cancelled (if not all of them.) In recent news, Ragnar Relay announced the cancellation of all of their remaining in-person 2020 events, and Spartan announced the cancellation of their Killington race weekend and also the 24 hour Ultra World Championship.
...Ouch. (Is this real life??)
So, it's understandable that repeated news like this would leave a lot of us feeling something like this:
...But F.I.T. Challenge Race Director Robb McCoy wasn't having it (see image below).
You all remember F.I.T. Challenge, right? Winner of the Mud Run Guide annual awards (a.k.a. "The Muddies") given to the "Best Of" in OCR....4 years in a row??
Well Robb decided that the current situation isn't okay: what with everyone's events and plans they'd been looking forward to being cancelled. He wanted to give people a place to go where they would be able to train on some awesome obstacles...and it just so happens that he had some handy...because F.I.T Challenge.
...So he put a bunch of them up in his backyard in North Attleboro, MA...and he's opening it up for the summer!
More details will evolve as times goes on, based on feedback from Camp McCoy attendees. As of now, this newly-formed, permanent outdoor OCR facility consists of:
...and oh yeah: there will be swag too, OF COURSE!
Robb guarantees that you will get a real OCR challenge out of the course: rest assured that these are legit obstacles good enough to appear at any OCR Race Day.
The current lineup of obstacles includes:
According to Robb, the types and structure of the activities are largely based on you and what you want to do to get the most out of your time at Camp McCoy. Here is a general guideline to the suggested activities:
...An "Ultra" format is definitely a possibility if enough people show an interest in it, and according to Robb, "the sky's the limit" in terms of what that could include! Here are a few possibilities, to spark your imagination:
...But it is up to you! Show your interest and share the idea with friends to make it happen.
Your safety is the Number 1 Priority. Camp McCoy wants all visitors to feel comfortable and like they are in a safe environment, and so there will be certain protocol in place in an effort to mitigate risk of exposure. More details will be posted on the Camp McCoy page, but guidelines will include precautions like the following:
Please note that these guidelines may also evolve as necessary in response to feedback from camp attendees. Above all remember to be respectful of others: respectful of their space, respectful of their beliefs, and respectful not to force your beliefs on them. Camp McCoy is meant to be an inclusive space where everyone can feel safe, and have fun doing some kicks obstacles!
Those who have tried it seem to agree: Camp McCoy has a cool backyard, intimate feel... while still being full of world class obstacles, and seems to be just what the doctor ordered.
It's a fun, unique opportunity to reconnect with some of your #OCRsquad and explore a new obstacle setup, with the peace of mind that you've got plenty of space to play in a safe/socially responsible environment.
Sounds pretty good to me, but don't take MY word for it...here's what some of the participants had to say!
"When Robb told me about how he was setting up an Obstacle Course around his house, I knew this was going to be special. Camp McCoy is exactly what the New England OCR scene needs during the time of COVID. Between the challenging and innovative F.I.T. Challenge obstacles, the diverse variety of training classes and opportunities, and the proactive safety and health precautions throughout the grounds, Camp McCoy offers racers a breath of fresh air and the obstacle excitement we need to survive the uncertainty of 2020."
-Megan Beck, (a.k.a., The OCR Trainer)
"Camp McCoy was an awesome day. Got to play around on some crazy obstacles like Gibbons and the Devil's Playground; Robb is a great host as well. He even provided us with a Fire Jump!"
"Thank you, Robb McCoy, for giving us this chance again. The chance to run, jump, climb, and crawl. The chance to flex my biceps. The chance to hang something heavy around my neck and proclaim myself the ultimate badass."
"Robb has created a challenging short course (.15 miles) with 13 fun, challenging obstacles: before heading out for a pavement run (1+ miles). The novice to elite will have fun navigating it and get to see fellow OCR fanatics doing what we love."
The concept is simple: the goal is to have fun reconnecting and training...without letting Covid-19 stop you! But for some actual deets, read below:
Camp McCoy Address:📍294 High StreetNorth Attleboro, MA02760
With the roller coaster of events continuing to unfold during this new "coronavirus" era, it's pretty unclear if...or when...things might ever go back to "normal": and I mean that both in terms of OCR AND regarding society in general.
All we can do is our best every day: to hold onto the things that give our lives meaning, and maintain our connection to the positive people - and influences - in our lives. We are definitely living through a crazy time in history...but that doesn't mean we should stop making memories!
So go check out Camp McCoy sometime this summer. Spend time with some OCR people who "get you," and relive the thrill of what it feels like to master an obstacle. With any luck, you'll have a killer day: and reconnect with the community, support, and FUN that OCR is all about.
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July 31, 2020
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