Advertisement

Shocking end to Tough Mudder journey

With obstacle names such as Arctic Enema and Kiss of Mud, Tough Mudder could be likened to a journey through the muddy depths of hell.

During the 18km-long course, participants were flung through mud, ice and fire before negotiating the final obstacle - an extra muddy pit, strewn with more than 30 wires with an electrical charge.

But despite the physical challenge, 10,000 people took part in the event near Northam at the weekend, which was designed by the British Special Forces.

"It's painful but fun," John Bradley, 57, said. "The worst one was the electric shocks because I kept getting hit again and again."

Competitors had to negotiate thin wires that delivered electric shocks. Picture: Kate Ferguson/The West Australian


On average, 78 per cent of participants finish the course, which is a test of strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie. A similar statistic applies to GoPros, with 126 lost in the mud in Tough Mudders so far this year.

Tough Mudder Australasia general manager Jeremy Kann said the event was not just for buffed athletes.

"It's for the person who wants to set themselves a challenge and overcome their own obstacles, like losing weight or increasing fitness," he said.

Picture: Kate Ferguson/The West Australian


Anita Revel, 42, used the event as inspiration to lose 14kg in just nine months.

"At the start of the year I was carrying so much weight my knees stopped working," she said.

"They couldn't take me up and down stairs any more. Now I'm so grateful for my body to take me up and down hills and through mud."