(You can find the Dutch and French versions of the newsletter in PDF format with images included in the DOCS section of our site!)
Dear clubs and members,
The past few weeks were packed with competition, with several national races once again delivering great performances and exciting duels. In this edition, we look back on the Invictus Weekend (Belgian Championship Standard & 1st League Race), the Belgian Championship Team Race, and the second round of the League in Houtland.
In addition, we also turn our attention to the international stage with a report from the European Championship in Spain, where our Belgian athletes showed themselves at their best.
Finally, we look ahead to the next dates on the calendar: the third and fourth rounds of the League at Controlife and The Fields.
Enjoy reading, and congratulations to all participants, Volunteers, and organizers who made these races possible!
Sporting regards,
The BOCRF Board
--
What to expect in this newsletter
- Invictus Weekend (Belgian Championship Standard & 1st League Race)
- European Championship Spain
- Belgian Championship Team Race
- 3rd round League @ Controlife
- 2nd round League @ Houtland
- 4th round League @ The Field
--
Invictus Weekend - Belgian Championship Standard Course
Belgian Championship Standard Course 2026
The Belgian Championship Standard during the Invictus Weekend was once again a successful race.
The participants were presented with a varied and challenging course that received particularly strong appreciation.
The French delegation present was also very enthusiastic about the course and the organization.
From a sporting perspective, we saw strong performances among the male athletes, with success rates that were above 70% in most age categories and even reached 100% in several categories. Among the female athletes, the percentages were generally lower, although turnout there was also more limited.
During the two races of the Invictus Weekend, we also carried out an initial test regarding the course. In this test, a number of obstacles for the adult female athletes were shortened or adjusted. This trial will be further evaluated based on the experiences and results collected.
In any case, we look back on a very fine race day, marked by sportsmanship, challenging obstacles, and an excellent atmosphere on and around the course.
--
Invictus Weekend - First League Race 2026
1st League Race 2026
The second day of the Invictus Weekend was fully dedicated to the first League Race of the 2026 season. Once again, we were able to welcome quite a few athletes for a challenging race.
Just as during the Belgian Championship Standard, we continued experimenting during this race with shortening or adjusting several obstacles for our female athletes, so that we could further evaluate the impact of these changes on the race experience and success rates.
The success rates show that the course was challenging but achievable for most participants. Excellent results were recorded especially in the youth categories, with several age groups achieving a 100% success rate. Among the female athletes as well, we saw notably strong performances, with success rates of 87.5%, 90.9%, and even 100% in several categories.
Compared with the Belgian Championship Standard, the overall success rates were clearly higher, which indicates that, for many athletes, the obstacles were well balanced between challenge and achievability.
In addition to the strong sporting performances, the atmosphere was once again excellent, meaning the 2026 League season got off to a promising start.
--
Belgian Championship Team Race 2026
Only one week after the Invictus Weekend, the next highlight was already on the calendar: the Belgian Championship Team Race 2026.
During this race, everything revolved around cooperation, team spirit, and fighting together for the Belgian title.
On the course, we saw teams continuously motivating, supporting, and pushing each other to the limit. The competition was exciting from start to finish, but as always, performances went hand in hand with sportsmanship, enjoyment, and a great atmosphere.
The Belgian Championship Team Race once again proved that OCR is more than individual strength or speed alone. Overcoming obstacles together, helping one another, and pushing boundaries as a team were central throughout this race day.
Congratulations to all teams for their commitment, performances, and enthusiasm. Thanks to you, it became a wonderful edition of the Belgian Championship Team Race!
--
Houtland - 2nd Round of the League
2nd League Race 2026
Only one week after the Belgian Championship Team Race, the League athletes once again headed to Houtland for the second round of the 2026 season. The race took place under a bright sun, which provided ideal conditions but also added extra challenges on the course.
Fortunately, the planned water container and the additional water stations along the course were more than welcome. The athletes made grateful use of them, and the cooling elements were particularly appreciated by everyone during this warm race day.
From a sporting perspective, the course once again proved challenging. In the youngest age categories, excellent results were recorded, with several groups achieving a 100% success rate.
As the age categories progressed, the level of difficulty also increased and we saw more variation in the results. This was particularly visible in the 13-14 and 30-39 age categories.
Among the female athletes, we saw a more varied picture. Several categories achieved very strong results, including a 100% success rate among the 11-12 and 15-16-year-olds. In other categories, the percentages were clearly lower.
In addition to the sporting performances, we mainly look back on a successful race day, marked by sportsmanship and great perseverance.
The combination of a challenging course, summer temperatures, and enthusiastic participants once again made this second League Race a fine edition.
--
European Championship Spain
Day 1: Short Course
The first race day of the European Championship in Spain was dedicated to the Short Course, and what a tough race it was!
The final section in the stadium, with nine technical obstacles in a row, proved particularly selective and resulted in a large number of DNFs.
Of the 54 Belgian starters, 32 athletes reached the finish. With a finish rate of 59.2%, Belgium performed considerably better than the international average of 45.7%, a difference of +13.5%.
🥇 European champions
Pauline Schoof (F AG 10-11), Kenny Rogiers (M AG 40-44) & Giovani Oosters (M AG 50-54)
🥈 Silver medal
Hannes Vanhullebusch (M AG 18-19)
In addition to these podium places, strong performances were recorded in virtually all age categories.
These results confirm that the Belgian delegation can also compete at an international level. A strong mix of talent, technique, and perseverance once again delivered fine performances.
Day 2: Standard Course
After the tough Short Course, the Standard Course was on the program on the second race day.
This course combined several fine running sections with an extensive range of technical and physically challenging obstacles.
The Belgian delegation once again left a particularly strong impression.
Of the 34 Belgian starters, no fewer than 32 athletes reached the finish, good for an impressive finish rate of 94.1%.
With that, Belgium performed 29.5 percentage points better than the overall field of participants. In addition, no fewer than 10 of the 12 Belgian categories achieved a finish rate of 100%.
🥇 Gold
Hannes Vanhullebusch (M 18-19)
Giovani Oosters (M 50-54)
🥈 Silver
Kenny Rogiers (M 40-44)
🥉 Bronze
Kobe Rooms (M 16-17)
Congratulations to all athletes, and a big thank you to the coaches, supporters, and supervisors.
Thanks to your commitment, enthusiasm, and team spirit, Team Belgium once again left a wonderful impression during this Standard Course!
European Championship Spain - Team Race
After two intense race days, the Team Race formed the perfect finale to an unforgettable European Championship.
🥇 Gold - AG 20 Men
Kenny Rogiers, Dylan Van Oncem & Giovani Oosters
🥈 Silver - AG 16-19 Men
Kobe Rooms, Mauro Roets & Milan Buggenhoudt
🥉 Bronze - AG U16 Women
Nikki Staveloz, Pauline Schoof & Myrthe Schoof
🏆 1st place - Open Wave
Geoffrey Dumont, Thierry Meunier & Simon Beeckman
These results are a fine crowning achievement for a strong European Championship for Team Belgium.
--
Controlife - Preview 3rd Round of the League
3rd League Race 2026
After a busy month of racing in May, we are already looking ahead to the next date on the BOCRF calendar. On Sunday, 28 June, our new club Controlife will organize the third round of the 2026 League.
The organization is providing a challenging course on which both experienced OCR athletes and newcomers can test themselves. We are therefore looking forward to officially welcoming this new race location into our competition.
Anyone who wants to prepare optimally can already attend the Recreational Athletes day on Saturday, 27 June. On that day, participants will have the opportunity to explore the course and already get acquainted with the different obstacles.
In addition, a 100-meter race is also on the program, a spectacular discipline in which speed, technique, and explosiveness are central. It is an ideal opportunity to discover this rapidly growing discipline up close or to try it yourself.
Registration for both the League Race and the Recreational Athletes day is still possible via:
Recreational Obstacle Race & 100m
We look forward to welcoming many athletes, clubs, and supporters together with Controlife for a sporting and challenging OCR weekend.
--
The Field - Preview 4th Round of the League
4th League Race 2026
On 12 July, we would be pleased to welcome you at The Field for the fourth round of the 2026 League.
In addition to the regular League Race, we will test a new initiative during this race. Based on the feedback we have received from athletes and clubs over the past months, we will also offer a shortened race format for adult participants.
This race is open to everyone, but it is aimed in particular at beginning athletes and participants who are not actively pursuing qualification for a European or World Championship. The course and obstacles will therefore be slightly adjusted compared with the regular race.
With this format, we want to lower the threshold for taking part in OCR races and give more athletes the chance to gain race experience. In addition, we hope to limit the number of DNFs and, above all, allow participants to go home with a positive feeling about their performance.
Registration for this new race format will be possible from the beginning of next week. As soon as the registration link is active, we will communicate about it via the WhatsApp groups.
The regular League Race will of course remain unchanged for athletes who want to measure themselves against the competition or who are aiming for qualification for international championships. Registration for the regular League Race is possible via:
We look forward to once again organizing a sporting and challenging race day together with The Fields, and we are curious about the participants' experiences with this new format.
--
Thanks to our sponsors & partners
Our federation is growing thanks to the support of our sponsors and partners. Thanks to these collaborations, we can also offer our members interesting benefits.
Klimber
As a BOCRF member, you receive a 7.5% discount at Klimber on equipment and apparatus.
Sanas
Through our collaboration with Sanas, we offer sports nutrition and supplements:
- 40% discount via group purchase (from EUR 200)
- 20% discount on direct purchase with code BELGIANOCR20
6D Sports Nutrition
At 6D as well, we organize group purchases for sports nutrition:
- 30% discount from EUR 750
- 40% discount from EUR 1500
Running Store
As a BOCRF member, you receive a 10% discount at Running Store on shoes and clothing in their 3 branches.
We continue to actively look for new partners and sponsors.
Together, we continue building a strong, professional, and future-oriented OCR operation in Belgium.
Thank you for reading!
