Lack of experience no obstacle at this obstacle course

When runners line up for the start of Fehmi Sakkal’s obstacle course race this October, there’s one obstacle he’s hoping they won’t face – self-doubt. “Some people hear ‘obstacle race’ and immediately think they are not strong enough, not fast enough, or not experienced enough,” Sakkal says. “We wanted to change that.”

That’s why Sakkal founded the OxTrail City Race in 2025. Like other competitions of its kind, it has real obstacles and enough challenge to allow competitive racers to push themselves. But the event is also built so that someone can show up just for fitness, fun, movement, and community without feeling out of place.

The 2026 race is scheduled for Sunday, October 25, at Erindale Park in Mississauga. The five-kilometre course is all on city trails within the urban park. Racers can run, jog or walk and they can attempt the obstacles, or skip any obstacle if need be and take a time penalty. “The goal is not to exclude people because they cannot do every obstacle perfectly,” Sakkal says. “The goal is to give people a reason to try, move forward and finish proud.”

Runners will face 12 obstacles, including tire flips, wall climbs, sandbag carries, net crawls, and laser target shooting that tests focus and control under fatigue. But beginners will be relieved to know that one common element of obstacle course racing will be absent – slogging through mud. 

“There is no mud-focused intimidation factor,” Sakkal says. “OxTrail is about making obstacle course racing feel local, doable, and fun, without removing the sense of accomplishment.”

But the event has a purpose beyond the finish line, what Sakkal likes to call the “13^th obstacle.” Organizers will be financially supporting the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation (CanLyme) by accepting optional donations from participants during the registration process.

“Lyme disease has affected someone within our own community,” Sakkal says. “Seeing someone connected to us deal with something so complex and difficult made the issue feel much closer. It stopped being an abstract health topic and became something real, affecting real people and their ability to live, train, move, and feel like themselves.” He says that’s especially relevant for a community that spends a lot of time outdoors.

“We are working on adding a Lyme disease awareness section to the OxTrail website and sharing prevention-focused information through email and social media leading up to the race.”

With the help of CanLyme, they’re also planning to share educational resources. “For us, this is about using the race platform for something meaningful.”

OxTrail will have a few seasoned runners and obstacle course racers, including major marathon qualifiers and athletes who have podiumed in larger Spartan Race events. But Sakkal emphasizes that the event is not built around celebrity participation. “We are building it around community participation. We want experienced racers and first-timers on the same course, each finding their own challenge.”

Early registration runs about $50 and includes a race bib, a finisher medal, sponsor giveaways, and a chance to compete for the top three male and female prizes. Organizers hope to attract at least 200 participants.

For more information or to register or volunteer, go to oxtrailocr.ca