Event Type: 5K
Shawshanked
This obstacle ups the ante as Mudders have to drag their muddy bodies up a pipe, and find themselves perched at the end of a 5’ drop into the cold water below. Falling gracefully isn’t really an option, so just hold your nose and take the plunge.
Kiss of Mud
Pucker up because you're about to get up close and real personal with the mud. Navigate through less than 18" of barbed wire clearance in an army crawl motion through uneven muddy surfaces. The only way out is a low & slow motion to avoid a prick before you are on your way to the next obstacle filled with surprises.
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“There is no getting out from this obstacle clean!”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Arctic Enema.
How To Conquer
Pause to reflect on your first move and channel your inner commando crawl. Get on your hands and knees and aim to get as low into the mud as possible. Perform a forward motion army style crawl keeping your head low, to avoid the barbed wire. Surfaced will be uneven below the wet, muddy surface – so expect the unexpected.
A HISTORY: KISS OF MUD
Anywhere we can get away with throwing barbed wire into the mix, that obstacle becomes an instant classic. Kiss of Mud is known for not holding back and leaving Mudders crawling out from the obstacle covered head to toe in the muck.
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Hero Walls
At 9’ tall with a tiny 4” foot hold, this mud slicked wall is a deceptively difficult challenge that even the most experienced Mudders have to take seriously.
Electroshock Therapy
As you approach the angry beast, you can hear it clicking its 1,000 yellow tongues at you, just waiting for you to run right into its gaping mouth. Others go ahead before you and for a split second you think it will all be okay—hey, look, that guy’s making it through fine. But you can feel the sweat on your brow as you realize, holy sh*t it’s your turn. You’re about to dash through 10,000 volts of electricity...
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“What the hell just happened?”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Electroshock Therapy.
How To Conquer
Don’t overthink it – there may well be a correlation between the time spent procrastinating and the number of shocks… Psych up (a battle cry may help) and charge straight into the belly of the beast. Run like hell, cover your face and remember to get back up quickly if you do go down.
Obstacle Training Tips
There are not many recommended ways to train for this obstacle. However, keeping your feet is very important. So work on your balance and stability when moving over uneven ground. Working on your footwork, agility and ability to change direction quickly will all be beneficial. But in the end, just close your eyes and run.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: What does it feel like?
A: Being hit in the head by an angry ghost.
A: Being hit in the head by an angry ghost.
A HISTORY: ELECTROSHOCK THERAPY
Perhaps Tough Mudder’s most controversial obstacle, this simple structure remains largely unchanged from its inception and earliest days on course. A field of wires dangling from a rectangular frame, clicking as 10,000 volts crackle through them. Over the years mud, trenches, rows of hay and even a grandstand have been added to enhance the spectacle. A right of passage for most participants and favourite amongst spectators who enjoy watching the carnage.
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Mud Mile
A Tough Mudder staple, Mud Mile is exactly what it sounds like. Truckloads of deep, wet, sloppy mud carefully sculpted into rolling mounds. With deeper trenches and higher hills for you and your team to scramble over, there is no way you're getting out clean.
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“The dirtiest experience my friends and I have had in years”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Mud Mile.
How To Conquer
It’s time to get dirty. Really dirty. Grab your friends and be ready to get utterly covered in the soft sloppy stuff. There is no alternative but to slip into the mud and work your way through. Grab hold of all those sloppy helping hands to haul yourself up and over mounds of mud.
Obstacle Training Tips
There is not much you can do in the gym to get prepped for an obstacle like this. Your training time is going to be much better served to convince a bunch of your friends to be right there alongside you, down and dirty, in the trenches.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: How dirty do you really get?
A: There will be mud in certain places for weeks…
A: There will be mud in certain places for weeks…
A HISTORY: MUD MILE
Mud has been an integral part of Tough Mudder since the first event in 2010. From a simple, non-lined excavation, filled with cold water and straw, the experience developed and the focus shifted to real muddy mud. As it evolved it became more about its positive attributes – slides, awesome photos, helping hands, and outrageous fun reminiscent of childhood. With this aim in mind, Mud Mile evolved into what we see today.
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Everest
One of our signature obstacles, Everest first appeared on Tough Mudder courses way back in 2010. To reach the summit you require unyielding determination and a reliance on those that have gone before you. You must commence your ascent on your own, however, the only way up and over the top is to grab the hand of another Mudder and have them haul you to the summit.
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“Just look for those helping hands. Your team will get you over the summit.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Everest.
How To Conquer
Just like the real thing, to reach the summit of Everest you require planning, deep breaths and the help of a team. Take a running start and keep your feet moving as you head up the vertical section – run up it, not at it. Lock your eyes onto an outstretched hand and leap towards it. Finally, allow the team of Mudders to haul you up and over.
Obstacle Training Tips
While it might seem like strength is a key part of hauling yourself up and over the summit, you will have help. The key is to make sure you get the running start right. Working on both your running and lower-body explosiveness will give you the best chance of hitting the incline just right. Keep your eyes on the prize and those legs pumping.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: How will I know when to jump for the hands?
A: When you think you have run far enough. Take a couple more steps.
A: When you think you have run far enough. Take a couple more steps.
A HISTORY: EVEREST
Originally a bit shorter than what you see on course today, Everest has stood the test of time. First introduced to the course in 2010, while it has seen changes to structure and materials, the design, premise and enjoyment of this obstacle have stayed the same since the beginning. A true legend.
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Augustus Gloop 2.0
Shimmy your way up inside a pipe, as water cascades down. As long as you enjoy tight, dark spaces and water you'll be good.
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“It’s easy to feel claustrophobic in there but I just kept breathing and kept climbing.”
The Inside Word
Deep dive into the details of Augustus Gloop.
How to Conquer
As with any water obstacle start by taking a deep breath – you’re going to need it. Enter the water and duck into the tube. Using the grips and gaps on the inside of the tube use your finger and toetips to climb up. Keep moving until you reach the top.
Obstacle Training Tips
You’ll work your full body in this obstacle, so that’s what you’ll need to train in the gym. It’s your grip strength that’s really going to get you through though so don’t forget to train your hands and fingers.
Obstacle FAQs
Question: Would this obstacle be better if you filled it with chocolate?
Answer: Yes, probably.
Answer: Yes, probably.
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Arctic Enema
A. Giant. Ice. Bath. There's really not much else to say. Be ready to be fully submerged not once, but twice - in ice. This obstacle is all about testing your mental grit. There's no training that can prepare you for this. Still not clear? Re-read the name.
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“It’s like the worst brain freeze you’ve ever had, but for your body.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of Arctic Enema.
How To Conquer
Focus and a clear mind. Making it through Arctic Enema is all about understanding that your body will feel shocked from the cold and focusing on your movements through the icy bath. There is no need to panic, once you re-surface from the first dunk, take a breath, plunge under the second baffle and keep your feet moving. You will be out the other side in no time.
Obstacle Training Tips
This obstacle is entirely mental, so it won’t matter how many chin-ups you can do or how far you can run. Everyone will react differently to the sub-zero temperature. While you cannot prepare physically, you can train your mind to stay clear and focused when under duress. Other than that, maybe throw a couple of ice-cubes in your next bath.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: How cold is it really?
A: Cold. Very, very cold.
A: Cold. Very, very cold.
A HISTORY: ARCTIC ENEMA
What started as a variety of ice-based obstacles slowly morphed into Arctic Enema (Hot Shots anyone?). At first, you just had to climb in and wade through the ice. However, as the year’s progressed those crazies in the obstacle innovation lab started to add more ways to ensure that you had to submerge your whole body as many times as possible. Now it really lives up to its name.
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The Block Ness Monster
To defeat this mythical monster, the Block Ness Monster, you will need an army. No solo soldiers will be able to negotiate the 9-metre long cuboid that sits semi-submerged in chest-deep water. Together with your teammates and fellow Mudders, you will need to rock, roll, push and haul yourselves over the rotating blocks.
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“The most fun you can have out on course. The teamwork was incredible.”
The inside word
Deep dive into the details of the Block Ness Monster.
How To Conquer
The Block Ness Monster is all about teamwork. It requires strong communication between friends and strangers alike. A whole lot of people need to push one side up, while a lot more people push the other side down. Once it is moving a few people at a time can shimmy over the top as it rotates.
Obstacle Training Tips
Taking on the Block Ness Monster is more about communication and teamwork. Although, you will need to be able to pull yourself up and over the block. Having good upper body strength is certainly an advantage. While you will be required to push the block up and pull it down, the more people helping makes it easier. So just focus on being able to pull-up your body weight and you will be fine.
Obstacle FAQs
Q: Do you have to get wet?
A: Umm. Yes. Have you seen the pictures?
Q: Can I do it alone?
A: You can, however, you will never be on this obstacle alone.
Q: How heavy are the cuboids?
A: Technically speaking. Very heavy. The water and your fellow Mudders will help you.
A: Umm. Yes. Have you seen the pictures?
Q: Can I do it alone?
A: You can, however, you will never be on this obstacle alone.
Q: How heavy are the cuboids?
A: Technically speaking. Very heavy. The water and your fellow Mudders will help you.
A HISTORY: BLOCK NESS MONSTER
The Block Ness Monster is one of the best examples of crazy and unexpected our obstacle innovation process can be. Discovery and innovation continue to evolve throughout the whole innovation journey. Originally designed by one of Tough Mudder’s interns, the blocks were intended to have people run across it. During testing, as people kept falling in, they started to push and pull the blocks. The rest is history.
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