The mother of all obstacle events is coming to Ireland this July. All other events pale when compared with Tough Mudder. It features a ten-mile course dotted with mud filled trenches, ice-cold water pits, monstrous steel obstacles and impossibly high wooden walls. Having braved these, participants, from novices to seasoned runners, then risk electrocution to cross the finish line.
Run Ireland have been confirmed as event partners for this world famous event, which has attracted two million participants in seven countries, since it’s launch five years ago. Ray O’Connor founder of Run Ireland is himself a serious runner, having completed 136 marathons since he began running fifteen years ago. Ray feels that runners see these events as a social activity that’s easy to do if you are already fit. “So many runners turn to triathlons to mix it up a bit and we are predicting this type of event as the next phase. Tough Mudder events are not timed and are very much focused on teamwork and camaraderie, which is very different to competing in traditional running events. It offers a chance for runners to get their friends, family and kids involved in a physical activity, to overcome new challenges and test their metal as well as physical strength and fitness”.
The rapid increase in worldwide participation in OCR (Obstacle Course Races) is astonishing. Tough Mudder Inc. was founded in 2010 by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone. In just over 5 years this Obstacle Course event series has attracted more than 2 million participants across over 60 events annually in 7 countries. Tough Mudder Ireland will take place in Loughcrew on July 9th and 10th and is expected to attract over 10,000 participants and spectators over the two-day weekend event.
Whether you are still on the couch, out running or going to the gym on a regular basis now is the time to face your fears, get tough and have lots of fun in the mud. You won’t regret it. Register today www.toughmudder.ie