---
title: "What is survivalrun?"
description: "Survivalrun is an outdoor sport combining running and obstacles on a largely unpaved course. Not an obstacle run: it is a recognised sport with regulations and standings."
canonical: "https://sr-stats.nl/en/resources/wat-is-survivalrun"
source-index: https://sr-stats.nl/llms.txt
---

# What is survivalrun?

Survivalrun is an **outdoor sport** combining running and obstacles on a largely unpaved course. Strength, stamina, flexibility, technique and perseverance all play a role.

Last updated: 19 september 2026, 20:40

## What you do

You run a largely unpaved course and encounter natural obstacles (culverts, ditches, trees) and built obstacles (beams, nets, ropes, peg ladders). Sometimes activities like archery, log-splitting or kayaking are part of the race.

Survivalrun is **not an obstacle course race**, not scouting and not bushcraft: it is a recognised sport with regulations, standings and its own federation. SBN is explicit about this.

## Recreational or competitive

At most events you can choose: as a recreational runner (no licence) or as a competitive runner (with a licence). Recreational runners often run the same or a lighter version of the course; there is no SBN standings. Recreational distance: often from ~4 km upwards.

Between recreational and licensed racing sits **Basis Survivalrun (BSR)**: an entry-level standings category without an active licence requirement.

## Honest difficulty: target times

SBN tracks the average finishing time of the first ten participants with a wristband per category. Race organisers align their course to this target time.

| Category | Distance (AR range) | Target time |
|---|---|---|
| LSR | 15–25 km | 2:30 ±15 min |
| MSR | 9–15 km | 1:30 ±10 min |
| KSR | 6–9 km | 55 min ±10 min |
| JSR 15-17 | 6–9 km | 55 min ±10 min |
| JSR 12-14 | 4–7 km | 40 min ±10 min |

BSR and JSR 10-11 have no target time.

## Where it began

The sport began in the **1980s** in the Achterhoek village of **Beltrum**. **26 April 1991**: Survivalrun Bond Nederland founded. **2016**: associate member of NOC*NSF. Today: more than 17,000 members, more than 80 training organisations, ~45 runs per year.

Beltrum is known as a tough LSR: long distance, heavy obstacle combinations, often poor weather.

## Sources

- [What is survivalrun? at SBN](https://survivalrunbond.nl/knowledge-base/wat-is-survivalrun/)
- [Read SBN history](https://survivalrunbond.nl/historie/)
- [General Regulations 2026/2027 (pdf)](https://www.survivalrunbond.nl/downloads/20260724%20algemeen_reglement_2026_2027PDF.pdf)

## More on sr-stats

- [Categories](https://sr-stats.nl/en/resources/categorieen) — which race category fits you?
- [Racing and standings](https://sr-stats.nl/en/resources/wedstrijd-en-klassement) — wristband, points and standings
- [Sources](https://sr-stats.nl/en/resources/bronnen) — school material and official sources