By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
BOASTING two top 10 obstacle racers and an Australian team representative has made Geelong a powerhouse in the growing niche sport.
Geelong Obstacle Racing Club has over 60 members, with 50 preparing for an event in a national Spartan Race series at Bamganie, near Meredith, on 31 May.
Club founder Jase Lydon said members travelled around the country to participate in obstacle races as part of an Australian league.
“Geelong’s top-10 racers, Tim Kacprzak and Darren Clarke, are at the top of their game at the moment,” he said.
“We also have Kate Barsby who represented Australia in the Spartan race in Vermont, USA, last year.”
Obstacle races challenge participants to scale three-metre walls, traverse rope courses, cross balance beams and throw a spear, all while running through creeks and mud holes.
Mr Lydon said the sport now had a “cult following”.
“We organise free two-hour training sessions so participants can learn better techniques to conquer the obstacles.
“All we’re doing is trying for personal bests. It’s like being a kid again, climbing and jumping and getting dirty.
“We get people of all ages doing it, from kids who love getting dirty with their parents to people in their 60s and 70s.
“It’s all part of the change to being healthier and improving fitness by doing something interesting instead of just hitting the gym.”
More information is available at spartanrace.com.au or Geelong ORC on Facebook.
