NZ Obstacle Sports Association

Athlete Spotlight 🌟

Introducing Chris Watterson.

Chris is a husband, father of three adorable humans, fantasy book fan, emergency physician, rock climber, singer, and guitarist… so yes, he’s clearly been busy.

He’s also lived in five different countries and has spent time working with refugees on the Thai-Burma border, teaching English, science, and social studies. A lot of life experience, a lot of heart, and a lot of talent, which makes him a pretty special addition to the team 💫

Chris will be on that startline for the AG 80m, 3km, 15km and 6km team relay. And lining up alongside his brother Will… so you just know there’s a bit more than racing on the line 👀

Thanks to our sponsors Merrellnz Feetures New Zealand NEVERSECOND Aotearoa | Fuel for Endurance Athletes

🏃‍♀️🧗‍♂️ 65 miles of grit, OCR in schools and spring training focus!

Our latest newsletter is out now, packed with stories from across the NZ Obstacle Sports community 🇳🇿

Inside this issue …

🏫 OCR in schools
Titan has launched in the Tasman Secondary School Sport programme, introducing rangatahi from 16 colleges to the challenge and benefits of obstacle course racing Wairua warrior 🔥

🌟 Young Gun Spotlight
We catch up with Xanthe about her incredible World’s Toughest Mudder experience, including the obstacles, nutrition, mental grit and the importance of a strong pit crew.

🌍 NZ athletes on the international stage
Celebrating William Burgess, Alex and Sophie Burgess at the FISO OCR World Championships in Limerick, plus Hayden Wells and dakota wells who both claimed victories in the Spartan Australia, NZ & Fiji National Series.

📅 What’s coming up
Check out the upcoming OCR and NZPM events, including the New Zealand Pentathlon Multisport Annual Festival in Hamilton, Alpha Challenge, and more.

⚡ Spring training focus
It’s time to turn your winter base into race-ready speed with race-pace running, obstacle circuits, dynamic grip work, agility, hills, mobility and recovery.

Read the full newsletter and stay connected with everything happening in New Zealand obstacle sports.

🔗 Check it out via the link in our bio.

Featuring a new event this year - Alpha Fit 💪🏽

Will we see you there Alpha Challenge Event ?

Feat. OCR mini Sam Beale James Crowther 🫶🏽

Mud on the boots, mates by your side, and a finish line that feels like a win no matter how you got there! 🏆

That's the Alpha Challenge. See you back at Dublin Bay this December 🏔️ 🙌

Have you got your crew together for Alpha Challenge Event?

Sat 5th December 🤸

Under 4 months to go until Dublin Bay is covered in mud, mayhem and your best excuse to get outside 🏔️

Alpha Challenge 2026 - 5 December, Wanaka. Who's already planning the crew?

Sophie and Alex Burgess out on their 400m qual runs in 🇮🇪 OCR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 👏🏽👏🏽

They’ve had a busy time and have been getting amongst heaps of new obstacles that they’ve not seen before.

Thanks mum Michelle for capturing these 🙌🏾

OCR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026 kicks off today!

100m and 400m racing incoming.

Let’s go William Burgess, Sophie and Alex 🔥🔥🔥

Athlete Spotlight 🌟

Introducing Alex Burgess.

At 10 years old, Alex is a farm boy at heart with an interest in anything with a motor and the go-to tech expert in his class at School.

In sport, Alex is calm but competitive. He’ll roll up his sleeves and get stuck into OCRs, Mud Runs, Triathlons, Orienteering and Adventure Racing, Netball, Olympic Weightlifting, and BJJ.

Next month, Alex rounds out the Burgess trio heading to Ireland for the OCR World Championships, lining up alongside his dad William and big sister Sophie.

The youngest of the family, calm, focused, and ready for action.

Thanks to our sponsors Merrellnz NEVERSECOND Aotearoa | Fuel for Endurance Athletes Feetures New Zealand