Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) is set to make history in the UAE’s student sports scene with the launch of the world’s first national OCR Championships for school and university students.
Arabian Warrior, the Middle East’s leading OCR series, has partnered with the UAE School and University Sports Federation (UAESUSF), the UAE School Games, and the UAE University Games to integrate OCR into the official calendar of student sporting events.
This landmark initiative introduces two new championships—the UAE School Games OCR Championship and the University Games OCR Championship—designed to promote fitness, resilience, and teamwork among youth and young adults across the country.
Founder & Race Director of Arabian Warrior, Nic Cartwright said:
“Season 2 marks a turning point for Arabian Warrior. Embedding OCR in the national student games calendar helps build teamwork, and confidence among the next generation of athletes.”
Pathway to the Podium
The championships will unfold through regional qualifiers hosted in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah, leading to a Grand Finale in Ras Al Khaimah. Events will cater to a wide range of age groups, from primary school children to university students.
For schools, the OCR Championship is split into two age categories:
- Primary (Ages 5–12): A non-competitive 1–1.6 km course focused on participation and teamwork.
- Secondary (Ages 13–19): A timed 5 km competitive race, with top performers qualifying for the national finale.
University students will take on a 5 km OCR challenge featuring classic obstacles and functional fitness tests. The top five male and female athletes from each region will advance to the final showdown in Ras Al Khaimah.
H.E. Sheikh Suhail bin Butti Al Maktoum, Assistant Undersecretary for Sports Development and Competitiveness at the Ministry of Sports and President of UAESUSF said:
“This partnership with Arabian Warrior reflects our commitment to introducing innovative and engaging sports experiences for young people across the UAE. We’re expanding opportunities and encouraging students to take on new challenges through sport.”
