Making history: KZN athletes selected for South Africa’s first-ever international OCR team
The athletes are already diversifying their training programs to simulate the tough conditions they will face in China. However, their biggest obstacle isn’t physical - it’s financial.
An elite group of athletes from Winston Park’s Iron Movement gym is set to make sporting history. For the very first time, South Africa is sending a national team to compete on the international Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) circuit.
These local athletes will be leading the country onto the world stage at the World Championships in Beijing, China, this September.
This marks a monumental milestone for South African sport. By securing their places, these athletes are establishing a legacy and paving the way to get this incredibly dynamic, fast-growing sport on the map nationwide. The road to this national legacy began last Friday.
The athletes, who previously qualified at their provincial event, alongside coach and owner of Iron Movement, Rhain Hoskins, travelled from KwaZulu-Natal to Johannesburg. Some drove while others flew, converging safely in Bryanston near the Battlerush race venue.
There was little time for relaxation. After a quick grocery run, the athletes immediately laced up their gear for a light jog around the neighbourhood to acclimatise to the thin Johannesburg air.
The evening was spent focusing on nutrition, resting, and sharing laughs to ease the nerves before an early bedtime. Race day arrived on Saturday with clear skies.
The Iron Movement ‘troop’ reached Battlerush by 9am for registration and a vital course walk. At 11am, the action started. Athletes were released in batches of two at strict two-minute intervals. The 3km course was relentless.
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It combined rough, winding dirt trails with 15 technical obstacles and heavy weighted carries. Runners navigated uneven single tracks, ducked under low tree branches, and leapt across narrow streams.
The ultimate test was a gruelling uphill power-run through potholed veld right alongside the roaring N1 highway. The weekend culminated in an intimate gala dinner and awards ceremony, where the historic announcement was made.
Eight Iron Movement athletes had successfully qualified to represent South Africa in Beijing from September 3 to 6.
While the team has safely secured their official event registration, the hardest work has just begun. The athletes are already diversifying their training programs to simulate the tough conditions they will face in China. However, their biggest obstacle isn’t physical – it’s financial.
Because OCR is still a developing sport in South Africa, this historic, inaugural international trip is entirely self-funded. Each athlete must personally raise between R40, 000 and R50, 000 to cover international flights, accommodation, team kits, and race entries.
“Our athletes earned their spots through pure determination, hard work and community support. Now, we need our community to help us take that final step onto the world stage,” says coach, Rhain Hoskins.
The team has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy. They are calling on local businesses, sports fans, and the Upper Highway community to help them fund their journey to Beijing, write South African sporting history, and represent the nation on the global stage.
