Briton Jonathan Albon Becomes The World’s New Number-One Obstacle Course Racer

Press Release / 24.09.2014

inov-8 athlete Jonathan Albon is the world’s new number-one obstacle course racer.

The 25-year-old Briton won the Spartan Race World Championship, an event in which the fittest athletes on the planet battled it out over 12 miles of brutal hills, mud and water, rope climbs, barbed wire crawls, log carries, fire pits and much more.

Covered in mud and bruises, Jonathan crossed the finish line in Vermont, US, in a time of 3hrs 23mins and 15secs, ahead of runner-up Ryan Atkins (Canada) and third-placed fellow inov-8 athlete Cody Moat (US).

In claiming the sport’s biggest prize, Jonathan, competing in his first world championship, showed an international audience the type of talent that lives within UK obstacle course racing.

The popularity of the sport in the UK has exploded in recent years, with hundreds of races now filling the calendar.

Jonathan said: “I’m really happy with how the race went and that I managed to win against some of the best guys in the world.

“It was the biggest race of my life and an honour to compete alongside the best. I really enjoyed the experience. The win was by no means comfortable and I had to push myself to the limit to get across that line first.”

Carl Wibberley, editor of UK magazine Obstacle Race, said: "Jon has played a big part in the growth of obstacle racing in the UK. He is an unbelievable athlete and everyone looks up to him.

"To win the Spartan Race World Championship is a huge achievement for Jon and another big boost for the sport in the UK.

“We have so much talent in the UK and now we are starting to see it shine on the international stage against athletes from obstacle race powerhouse countries who have previously dominated the sport.

"These are really exciting times for obstacle racing in the UK."

This latest victory means Jonathan, who wore inov-8’s x-talon 212 shoes, remains unbeaten in 2014, having won countless obstacle events as well as fell, mountain, trail and ultra running races.

To help aspiring obstacle course racers, Jonathan has the following top-10 tips: http://team.inov-8.com/jonathan-albon-top-tips-obstacle-course-racing/

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