On top of the world!

Eastern Daily Press: Joanne Ogogo, from Lowestoft, right, with teammates after becoming world champions in the Women’s Open Team Relay OCR World Championships. Pictures: Helen QuinnJoanne Ogogo, from Lowestoft, right, with teammates after becoming world champions in the Women’s Open Team Relay OCR World Championships. Pictures: Helen Quinn (Image: Archant)

That was how one Lowestoft woman was feeling as she overcame numerous tough obstacles and beat the world's best to secure gold.

Thousands of racers descended on London last weekend as the UK staged the Obstacle Course Racing (OCR) World Championships for the first time in the event's five-year history.

Eastern Daily Press: Joanne Ogogo, from Lowestoft, with teammates as they became world champions in the Women’s Open Team Relay OCR World Championships. Pictures: Helen QuinnJoanne Ogogo, from Lowestoft, with teammates as they became world champions in the Women’s Open Team Relay OCR World Championships. Pictures: Helen Quinn (Image: Archant)

Among them was Joanne Ogogo, from Carlton Colville, who competed in the 3km sprint event on the opening day and finished in 24th place in her 30-39 age group – which made her the first UK woman to cross the line.

After tackling a course packed with 24 tough obstacles, speed, strength and stamina was tested to the limit as racers competed against the clock.

Eastern Daily Press: Joanne Ogogo, from Lowestoft, competing in the OCR World Championships. Pictures: Helen QuinnJoanne Ogogo, from Lowestoft, competing in the OCR World Championships. Pictures: Helen Quinn (Image: Archant)

They ran, crawled, clambered and swung their way around the course – but anyone failing to complete an obstacle had their starters' wristband removed.

Miss Ogogo, 33, who comes from a family full of sporting pedigree, said: 'This was the first year that the event has been held in the UK and it was hosted by Brentwood's Nuclear Races, after four years in North America.'

Having made the trip to Canada in October last year to represent the UK at the OCR World Championships, Miss Ogogo 'knew it was going to be tough once more' with a lot more British athletes in contention.

She said: 'This is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. The field was really, really quick and there were obstacles I have never done before, but I knew in this first event on the opening day that I had to keep my band.

'To be the first UK woman back in my age category was incredible.'

Back in action again on the Sunday, Miss Ogogo competed with Laura Roberts and Ruth Goodwin in the Women's Open Team Relay OCR World Championships.

The trio shone as they were willed on all the way to glory by an 'amazing home crowd.'

Miss Ogogo said: 'It was just absolutely incredible to get a gold at the world championships.

'Going into the relay we thought that we might do okay. The three of us have a combined age of 100, we are all mums and we all work.

'So to beat some amazing athletes and win gold – well, we were completely overwhelmed.'

The OCR World Championships are due to be shown on Channel 4 on Saturday morning.