OCR obstacle course opens on Gerbynmäki hill

The obstacle course is located in a wooded area on Gerbynmäki Hill at Gerbyn rantatie 50, near the fitness stairs and the dog park. The OCR (obstacle course racing) course helps train agility, endurance, balance, and strength.

Runners race along the obstacle course using a route of their choice, and go over or under obstacles by crawling, jumping, climbing, or swinging. The course has seven obstacles in total. At the centre of the area is a large rig with six alternative routes.

Course for adults and young people

At the entrance, there is a large info board with general information about the course and its rules. There is also an information board with instructions at each obstacle along the course. Almost every obstacle has an easier and a harder side to choose from.

The obstacle course is intended for adults and young people.

– The obstacle course requires a height of over 140 centimetres, meaning it is not a playground and it is not designed for smaller children, says Åsa Enholm, Landscape Horticulturist.

OCR enthusiasts were involved in planning

The construction of the OCR course was based on the initiative by various local associations as well as the Gerbynmäki recreational area plan (in Finnish and Swedish).

– We are happy to offer local residents yet another opportunity to engage in various sports and physical activities. The obstacle course was designed in close and excellent cooperation with OCR enthusiasts and is a perfect addition to the recreational offering in the Gerby-Västervik area. In the immediate vicinity of the course, there are fitness stairs, two sledding hills, a lookout tower, a barbecue area, a fitness track, cycling trails, and a frisbee golf course, says Mika Lehtonen, Director of Sports.

The design of the obstacle racing course involved a large number of obstacle racing experts working with the City of Vaasa Sport Services and Public Utility Services.

The obstacle course will open to the public on 30 September

The official opening of the OCR course will be held on Monday, 30 September, starting at 17.

Programme:

• Mika Lehtonen, Director of Sports for the City of Vaasa, will inaugurate the OCR course.
• Speech by a representative of the Gerby-Västervik local heritage association.
• Brief introduction to OCR as a sport by Andreas Närvä, a pioneer of OCR in Finland, and Johan Nyman, a representative of the Finnish Obstacle Course Racing Association FOCRA.
• Brief introduction to the OCR Wasa sports club.
• Run-through of the course by Finnish OCR champions Joakim Träskelin and Ida Backlund.
• Guided tour of the course: representatives from OCR Wasa will be present at the obstacles, demonstrating how to navigate them and providing assistance if needed. OCR Wasa will be available on-site until 19.