obstaclemudrunner.co.uk
ForEliteAtheletes toFunRunners
12
We all know that obstacle course organisers have a
responsibility to ensure the safety of those visiting
and taking part in their events, from providing trained
marshals to ensuring all obstacles are structurally
safe. However, ensuring one’s own safety is never a
bad idea and specialist sport and leisure insurance
company, Protectivity understand this well.
Andy Brownsell, Protectivity’s Commercial Director
has highlighted a few things to keep in mind before
taking on your OCR challenge, whether that be a Wild
Warrior eXtreme 5k mud run or Reebok Spartan’s
21km, 30 obstacle Beast event.
He states:
1
Obstacle races are often wet, muddy and both
physically and mentally challenging, don’t get me
wrong that’s why we love them, but it means taking
extra care and watching your step to avoid trips, slips
and falls.
2
It sounds simple but use your common sense.
It’s important to know that if you’re not both mentally
and physically prepared to take on an obstacle event
you’ll put yourself and those around you at risk.
3
When others are hurling themselves over 6ft walls
and swinging from monkey bars you may feel a need
to follow suit but remember there’s no obligation to
tackle obstacles you don’t feel comfortable taking on,
avoid ‘herd mentality’.
4
If on race day you wake up feeling like you’ve
developed super human strength overnight, take
extra care to avoid reckless decisions as this added
confidence could have you flying for all the wrong
reasons.
5
Listen to the marshals – we all want to avoid them
when they’re shouting ‘GIVE ME 30 BURPEES’ but
do remember they’re extremely well informed and
have your safety in mind so make sure you take on
board their (non-burpee related) advice.
6
Be aware of the insurance options available
to you, many people take out Personal Accident
Protection before competing in OCR events.
Research the market and find the cover that suits you
– having peace of mind on race day will free you up
to achieve that PB!
Specialist sport and leisure insurance company,
Protectivity is experienced at working with event
organisers to ensure that the day goes smoothly for
both the participants and the team behind the scenes,
and although OCR’s are extremely fun, there is a real
risk associated.
Commercial Director of Protectivity, Andy
Brownsell has shared some helpful advice for event
organisers to ensure race day doesn’t have you
running for the fire pit!
1
Comply with local authority requirements – make
sure you conduct the necessary risk assessments
and check that all obstacles and buildings are safe.
2
Ensure that all course marshals are fully briefed
and trained, and have St Johns ambulance staff on
hand in case of emergency.
3
Be upfront with your insurer about what you’ve got
planned. It’s important to submit risk assessments
of your obstacles so that it’s clear to your provider
what’s happening during the event. They need to be
fully aware of potential risks to those taking part.
4
If you plan on providing services such as catering,
make sure you’ve got insurance that covers third
parties, it’s not always included, so you’ll need to
have this conversation with your provider.
5
Ask questions! Your insurer will much prefer you
raise queries in advance, keep that age old motto in
mind ‘better safe than sorry’ so make sure you ask
away.
Obstacle event, Rough Runner partnered with
Protectivity back in 2014 to ensure all their UK race
events were fully covered.
CEO of Rough Runner, Jonathan Geitner comments:
“Our obstacles are inspired by game shows such as,
Gladiators, Takeshi’s Castle and Wipeout so they’re
intended to be great fun. We’re very aware that for
the fun to take place safety comes first, which is why
we turned to Protectivity. Ahead of each race we have
peace of mind that we’re as prepared as we can be
and we can concentrate on making sure everyone’s
having a great time.”
RACE: COVER
Protectivity Insurance offers some advice
If you’ve signed
up to an event
and are looking
for Personal
Accident
Protection please
visit:
www.
protectivity.com
Rough Runner
Rough Runner
If you’re an
obstacle event
organiser and
would like to
speak to an
insurer about
cover for your
event, please visit
com
RACE
PARTICIPANTS:
SURVIVAL
OF THE
FITTEST IS
ALL ABOUT
SAFETY
FIRST
RACE
ORGANISERS:
HOWTO
AVOID
UNWANTED
OBSTACLES
ON RACE
DAY
Survival
For those new to OCR’s please note they’re great fun and have a wonderful community
feel about them, so there’ll no doubt be practiced race goers on hand to help you along
your way.
