Human beings are strange — they spend most days trying to avoid and/or conquer the obstacles in their path. Then when they manage to get some free time, more and more of them are signing up to run — yup — obstacle course races (OCR). Famous obstacle course runs like Warrior Dash, Mud Run and Spartan are increasing in popularity among leisure/weekend athletes — perhaps spurred on by TV competitions of shorter versions of these races like American Ninja Warrior.
But are they safe? A Canadian study got into the mud to find out and emerged with stats that should set worriers at ease. Tracking 45,285 obstacle course race participants at eight OCRs, researchers found that just 1.2 percent required medical attention during the race — and 89% of those returned to the competition. Muskuloskeletal injuries, obviously minor, accounted for 75% of treatment requests. You’re basically as safe running a Warrior Dash as you are crossing the street, reports the findings, which were published in the Emergency Medical Journal.