Midwest OCR - Built by Racers, for Racers

Tough. Fun. Unforgettable. 

Midwest OCR is challenging enough for elites and welcoming enough for your very first race. Competitive racers chase 100% obstacle completion for the podium. Non-Competitive racers chase their own personal best, and skipping an obstacle is always okay. Our course is packed with obstacles ranging from super approachable to brutally tough, all laid out across a rugged landscape of hills, cliffs, ravines, creeks, and beautiful wooded trails.

Choose Your Challenge:

3+ Miles | 20+ Obstacles
Big fun, big challenge, and the perfect place to start. You'll hit hills, trails, and 20+ obstacles that range from "I got this" to "let's see what I've got."

6+ Miles | 30+ Obstacles
Double the miles, 30+ obstacles, and twice the bragging rights. This is for racers who want the full Midwest OCR experience.

The Bearded Challenge | Multi-Lap
Three laps of the 6+ Mile course. That's 18+ miles and 100+ obstacles in one epic day. It's for endurance junkies who think one lap just isn't enough.

Ruck | 3+ Mile Course or 6+ Mile Course
The same course and the same obstacles, but ruck participants will complete all carry, crawl and balance obstacles. All other obstacles are optional. Finish the course and you earn the finisher's medal and shirt like everyone else, AND the Ruck Patch.

WAVES

Fun Wave (Open)
Challenge yourself, no pressure. Try every obstacle and skip any you're not ready for. There are no penalties, and every attempt counts.

Competitive Wave (Elite & Age Group)
Race the clock to see how you stack up against fellow competitors and go for the podium. You need 100% obstacle completion to be podium eligible, and you get multiple attempts on any obstacle. No burpee bypasses or penalties. 

Whether you've never raced before or you're a seasoned elite, you'll feel welcomed, supported, encouraged, and challenged here. 

As a veteran-owned and operated event, we believe in building not just a race, but a community, and a challenge worth conquering.

Every racer will earn:

• A Super-Soft Midwest OCR Finisher's Shirt

• An Epic Finisher's Medal

• Professional Action Shot Photos (no extra cost!)

• And of course, bragging rights for life

No hidden fees at checkout. No surprise processing, insurance, or "mandatory" add-ons. What you see is what you pay.

The earlier you sign up, the more money you save. Lock in your spot today!

Race Categories:

Elite / Elite Masters/ Competitive Age Group - 6+ Miles | 30+ Obstacles - Overall Top 3 M/F receive podium awards and a cash prize. Top 3 M/F in respective Age Groups receive podium awards.

This is a mandatory obstacle completion race. In order to be eligible for a podium, racers must successfully complete all obstacles and finish the race within 3 hours. Racers get unlimited attempts at obstacles. Failure to complete an obstacle only takes you out of podium contention. You still go on to finish the race and earn your medal and finisher's shirt.

The Bearded Challenge - (THREE laps of the 6+ Mile loop) - Overall Top 3 M/F receive podium awards. In order to be eligible for a podium, racers must successfully complete all obstacles through a minimum of two laps. Your first lap will earn you the main finisher's medal. Laps #2 and #3 will earn you additional medal pieces that will connect to your main medal. All racers receive medals regardless of obstacle completion. There will be a 6 hour limit: 9am - 3pm. Racers MUST start their last lap by 1:00pm and back in the festival area by 3:00pm. 

Fun Run (Non-Competitive) - 3+ Miles | 20+ Obstacles or 6+ Miles | 30+ Obstacles - Grab your friends and family and go out there and have some fun. You can run, walk or crawl, just get to the finish line! All obstacles are OPTIONAL. We want you to do your best and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!! TEAMWORK is highly encouraged! If you're racing alone, don't worry, you'll make friends along the way. Children ages 10-13 may run/walk alongside a parent/guardian, and kids 14 and up may run the course on their own. 

Ruck Division (Non-Competitive) - Ruck participants may choose to ruck either the 3+ Mile or 6+ Mile course. Bring your own ruck (backpack/vest and weights). Recommended weight: 20lbs - Women, 30lbs - Men. Crawls, carries, and balance obstacles are to be completed, but all other obstacles are OPTIONAL. Ruck participants receive a ruck patch, along with their finisher's medal and shirt.

Kid's Course - The kid's course will feature 10+ obstacles around a 1/4 - 1/2 mile loop. This is perfect for those younger kiddos, ages 11 and under, to join in on the fun! Parents may help their kiddos along the course. The kid's course is not timed, and children may run the course multiple times if they would like. Kid's receive a finisher's medal and shirt.

Awards:

6+ Mile ELITE: OVERALL TOP 3 M/F win CASH + additional podium awards.

6+ Mile ELITE MASTERS: TOP 3 M/F (40+ yrs old) receive additional podium awards.

6+ Mile COMPETITIVE AGE GROUP: TOP 3 M/F in each Age Group receive additional podium awards.

Age Groups : Under 20, 20-24, 24-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60+

THE BEARDED CHALLENGE: OVERALL TOP 3 M/F finishers receive additional podium awards. Top male and female will also be awarded a cash prize.

Volunteer:

Volunteers receive awesome perks, including ways to earn a free race entry! Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring a great racer experience by helping manage obstacle stations, the finish line and other areas to assist participants. Complete a full shift on RACE DAY and then afterwards have fun running the course with other volunteers. Volunteers are also needed during race week and after the race to help with set up and/or clean up. Completing ONE 6-HR shift on RACE DAY or a shift during the tear-down will earn you a FREE race entry or by completing TWO 5-HR shifts during build week. Shifts can be split up between two days or completed all in one day. Click the volunteer tab for more info and if you have questions, please reach out to us.

Parking:

General Parking is located at 4 Star Campground (Address: 2776 E 2625th Rd Unit 2048, Marseilles, IL 61341), just 2 miles from the race venue. Parking is $10 Cash. Pay at time of parking. There will be a shuttle bus running from 6:30am - 3pm from the general parking location to the race site.

VIP Parking is $25 and is located on-site. It is Pre-Paid ONLY, due to space availability. VIP Parking is paid when you register for the event and is on a first come, first served basis. If you do not see the option to add VIP Parking during registration, that means the spaces have already been filled and you need to plan to park off-site at the General Parking location. VIP Spots go quickly, so if you want to park on-site, you need to sign up very early.

Where To Stay:

We will secure a room block with Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Ottawa Starved Rock Area located just 13 miles from the race site. Hotel address is 3000 Fairfield Lane Ottawa, Illinois, USA, 61350. 

Booking Link will be posted once the room block is secured.

Connect With Us On Social:

Don't just race with us; hang out with us year round. Follow @themidwestocr on Instagram and Facebook.