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ForEliteAtheletes to FunRunners
9
Liam
Hayman
says…
After a couple
of events with
friends and
a few I did
competitively I
wanted to join a
team. I wanted
the camaraderie.
To have team mates at events gives you a
real boost, a few words of encouragement
go a long way and some courses can seem
quite daunting and lonely. To know there’s a
blue shirt never too far away is reassuring.
Originally I found out about RAW through
someone I worked with, I realised these were
the kind of people that I want to work with
too. I was the first RAW member in Scotland.
I’ve not been part of an OCR team before.
RAW for me stood out straight away. I joined
in July 2015 but injury meant my debut
wasn’t until January 2016. I’ve completed
9 races, 6 of which I ran competitively. I’ve
suffered from lots of issues and so have
missed many races including the World
Champs 2015, Euro’s and UK champs
too. I don’t class myself as either elite nor
fun runner. I call it competitive OCR which
means I strive to compete and although I
qualify for elite waves I don’t class myself
as elite. I’m hoping to lure my brother’s
twins into the Rawlings team at the earliest
opportunity. After suffering from severe
mental health issues as a teenager, I
discovered OCR. I can honestly say that
it has helped change my life around and
because of that my relationships with family
have improved too. It sounds very cliché but
it is generally all down to OCR and RAW.
My best experience to date was finishing
Toughest London with all my family at the
finish line. Not my best performance but by
far the best finish.
Jude Smith
says…
I joined RAW back
in November 2015.
Struggling with weight
and an unfit lifestyle I
needed to make some
changes.
A friend had been with RAW for a few months and
recommended it. I nervously attended my first
session. 15 people with mixed fitness abilities. Lots
of welcomes, cheers, tips and encouraging words
and I completed my first training session.
Throughout the session there was lots of chatter
about OCR events that they were going to be
competing in. I was hooked.
My first event was February Freezeout, organised by
our Coach Rick and some other coaches from the
OCR world. I was amazed on the day at the amount
of RAW team members I met, everyone was so
welcoming and friendly.
My favourite OCR has to be Mud Monsters as a fun
runner (working towards improving diet and fitness)
My little girl is 4 and she can’t wait to get her
Rawling top and join OCR. I’m proud to be part of
RAW, I’ve made some great friends and it’s given
me drive to improve my lifestyle.
Lou Blackman says...
I had done road running for a while &
wanted to try something different, an OCR.
Myself & my husband completed out first
and soon realised we weren’t as fit as we
thought. I had heard about a local team and
thought about going – I was introduced to
RAW by Kelly, Ricks wife. We work together
and she saw I had completed an OCR and
suggested I go to one of the classes. We
joined Raw in May 2015. I have completed
24 OCR’s, my husband 20.
I wish I was elite! I’m working my way up
with Ricks help, I started as a fun runner but
realised I was better than I thought as my
fitness got better.
I have one Rawling, she’s 12 and loves the
runs & getting together with the Rawlings.
Raw is such a friendly & supportive team,
we’ve been at races across the country and
if there’s another RAW member who we’ve
never met, it’s like we’ve known each other
for ages. There are a few of us that run
around together, nothing better than having
a laugh and helping each other over under
or through the tougher obstacles. I love
how we’ve all picked up a nickname – I got
named Magoo for getting lost.
Best experience – loads! Tough Guy
weekend. A real RAW family weekend. All
meeting up before the race for dinner. The
race lived up to its hype. Myself and Kelly
struggled on the lollipop obstacle. Putting our
heads under ice cold water took proper team
work and support to get through plus the rest
of the course. Crossing that finish line with
my husband and best buddies was an epic
feeling, tears in my eyes!
Nichola Eldred
says...
I wanted something a
bit more challenging
and to be taken a little
more seriously so I
joined Team RAW. I
knew some of them
from events and friends
that were already in the team. You can’t miss
their blue tops and togetherness at events. They
are genuinely one big family and make you feel
really welcome. I’ve been a raw member for a few
months and done 2 events now in their tops but
have only been doing OCRS for 1 year.
I’m a bit more than a fun runner but not an elite.
Looking forward to doing many more.
RACE: TEAM
the great thing about RAW is the support.
If you’d like further information or are interested in joining please see the website
or email
