Tough Mudder Midlands (Classic)

My third Tough Mudder & I still love it. The main thing to remember is Tough Mudder (Classic & 5k) are not a race. Its about teamwork & having a laugh. Doesn’t mater how long it takes to get round as long as you do and complete as many obstacles as you can.

From the moment you arrive you start to understand why Tough Mudder is the global phenomenon that it is. Oh, and why it costs as much as it does. Everything is so well organised. Parking is never a problem nor is the check-in. Loads of marshals on hand to help and happy to help too, which makes such a difference when nervous before a run.

The event village for Tough Mudder is a big one. Loads of options food wise and plenty to keep spectators & family’s entertained while your out on course.

Before you’re let loose on the course they give probably one of the best warm up/briefing we’ve had. Ok the warm up itself is the usual pointless shuffle in a crowded area but the man on the mike along with the pledge really gets the blood pumping. I love it.

The course is typical Tough Mudder. Massive obstacles you can’t complete on your own and mud….lots & lots of mud. This is where Tough Mudder wobbles a little. The obstacles obviously are designed so they are tough to complete on your own and need help to get over, but somehow it looses something and just becomes almost gimmicky. Don’t get me wrong, It’s great fun with a group of mates but doesn’t really get you excited like other events do. Also, with so many people on course and obstacles being slow due to teamwork needed, you queue. You queue a lot. A couple of extra lanes needed at each obstacle really.

The other issue is the mud. Tough Mudder mud smells like no other mud. There is a distinct unnatural not just mud smell if you get where I’m coming from. I have done a vast number of OCR’s and the only time I’m ever ill (funny tummy) is after a Tough Mudder. All three in fact. Can’t just be a coincidence.

Also when finished and head to toe in mud they hand you your finishers shirt & freebies. I am very grateful for all these and I know there is an issue regarding waste & plastic but please could you put them in a bag so they’re not covered in mud as soon as we get them.

One last thing is the shower station. Fantastic. Not sure if it is but always feels warm and plenty of them, so very easy to wash down before the drive home.

In all a great event if not always first on my yearly list.

This was my eighth tough mudder but first time at the Midlands course. Set round Belvior Castle it doesn't lack for views and it was a very enjoyable course! 

Sign up is easy to do and your start time gets sent out a couple of weeks before the date, once there on the day sign in is quick and easy and there are plenty of signs pointing you in the right direction if your driving to the course. The volunteer signing in was very kind in letting me start in an earlier wave as I had misjudged how long it would take me to get there. 

Plenty to do in the race village before and after the race plus a well manned bag drop and changing tents next to the rinse station which is very handy afterwards. The course itself was great with plenty of new obstacles this year which were fun to have a go at. Level up lanes were also a choice for those who wanted a little extra challenge. Plenty of aid stations out on course - all offered water and lucozade and some offereing bananas or flapjacks. Also toilets are availabile out on course. It's very well signed and all the marshals were great, very friendly, shouting encouragement and always offering free hugs!

Tough Mudders are always fun as they not a race but a challenge and it is always nice to get to know people out on the course. I may have signed up to this run alone but I definietly didn't run it alone!

This was my first Tough Mudder - I really enjoyed mixing it up; I usually do more conventional running events so it was great to challenge myself more!  The ice obstacle was the only one I wouldn't love to do again(!) but otherwise everything was doable for me if you attacked it and all worked together.  There were 2 obstacles I genuinely couldn't do as I'm physically not big enough (at 4'10 I didn't have the reach for the monkey bars!)

The warm up and start line briefing were great - covered the important safety stuff without being dull, and really set us on our way!  Not the cheapest event but would definitely recommend :)

Completed my 2nd Tough Mudder on the 12th May. This infamous event has, electric shocks and ice baths but the standout element is the teamwork and camaraderie around the course. There is no focus on time. Just having fun and helping other when possible. Over ten miles with some of the toughest obstacles this is no joke. Despite this it's the most fun I've ever had at an OCR race. Highly recommended.