3 minute read
We're very proud to be supporting an amazing young talent in the world of Obstacle Course Racing - ten year old Libbie Joyce who will be representing the UK at the first ever Spartan Kids World Championship this year.
Libbie has been competing in the Spartan Kids races this year - winning her last race at Marston Lodge and in doing so qualifying for the Spartan Kids World Championships, being held in Laughlin near Las Vegas, in November this year.
Libbie's mum Katie is already a seasoned OCR athlete who has previously represented the UK at the OCR World Championships.
Katie said: “Libbie got involved in OCR because I had to take her training with me. She wanted to get involved straight away. When we began, she ran off ahead of me and I couldn’t believe it when I failed to catch up with her. She ended up finishing 20 minutes faster than me.
“She’s completely unstoppable and she just thrives on it. Every picture you see she’s smiling and you can tell she’s loving it! We’re so proud of her. The effort she puts into training for all her sports is just incredible.”
Libbie is the smallest in her class but can already lift her own body weight (4st 2lbs or 26 kilos). She's a keen swimmer, is a martial arts green belt plus plays golf every week.
Katie added: “Libbie has qualified for the Spartan Kids World Championships so we’re just trying to figure out a way to get her there. It would be an incredible experience for her to represent the UK and a chance for other children to see just what’s possible at such a young age.”
Libbie, who trains at Cliff Lakes OCR and has also been appointed a Spartan Kids Ambassador, said: “I love OCR so much because I get to go over cool obstacles like rings, cargo nets and climb ropes, and I also get to go to races with Mummy.
I am small but I can lift my own body weight easily and don’t weigh much. I am always playing on the pull up bar. I do struggle with carrying heavy things but I’m working on this.
I’m not sure what I want to do when I grow up yet but something where I can do sports every day. Hopefully one day maybe OCR will be in the Olympics and I’ll get to qualify."
Now Libbie is hoping to raise £2,500 sponsorship support to help her fly to America to take part in the Spartan Kids World Championships - where young Spartans from around the world will test their limits and have some fun whilst competing against like-minded, enthusiastic young people. We wish Libbie the best of luck and we know she's going to do the UK proud!
To support Libbie, you can visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Libbie-Joyce