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Thousands test endurance in 'world's best' mud run

Rachel CandlinBBC News, West of England
News imageTough Mudder A bearded man in a black t-shirt up to his neck in mud in a large container. He is grabbing onto the handrail, and his eyes are screwed shut, and his mouth is open wide with an expression of surpriseTough Mudder
Many of the Tough Mudder obstacles are very muddy

Thousands of people are to take part in a famously muddy obstacle course to test their endurance and teamwork.

Tough Mudder is returning to South Gloucestershire on Saturday, at the Badminton Estate - the venue of the Badminton Horse Trials.

Participants can choose between the "hardcore" 15 km (9 miles) course with 30 obstacles and a gentler 5 km (3 miles) course with 13 hurdles.

"The uniqueness about Badminton Estate is that it's our flattest course, so it's perfect for those who are looking to take their first steps in Tough Mudder," said brand marketing manager Emelye Ferguson.

News imageTough Mudder Four men in black t-shirts and leggings running through an obstacle together, with their heads down and arms linked, and all smiling. They are jumping over a hay bale with streamers falling down around them within a steel roof. There are spectators in the backgroundTough Mudder
The event is non-competitive and emphasises teamwork and endurance

"However, a large number of participants do Tough Mudder events over and over again - we've got two people this weekend who will be doing their 100th.

"A lot of our courses are very muddy and they change each year, so you get different venues, different experiences and different challenges."

The obstacles include the Mudderhorn - a 40ft (12m) high net - and the Mud Mile - a series of 10ft (3m) deep, rolling mud mountains.

News imageTough Mudder Participants lined up in black t-shirts and leggings or shorts on a lawn behind a steel-latticed structure, ready to scale it. Badminton House is in the backgroundTough Mudder
The Badminton Estate event is the flattest course in the Tough Mudder calendar

"It's not your typical mass participation event as it's non-competitive and we very much emphasise the teamwork element and challenging fears," Ms Ferguson added.

"You'll be running through electricity, scaling heights, experiencing claustrophobia and going through tight spaces underground; working as a team to get through it."

News imageTough Mudder Debbie in an event top and leggings, climbing out of a mud bath onto a platform, grabbing on with her hands. She's surrounded by other participants, some of whom are in a bath of mud up to their necksTough Mudder
Regular Tough Mudder participant, Debbie Crew, said she was "excited" to take on the Badminton course again

Debbie Crew, one of the regular participants, said she always enjoyed the South West course.

"The scenery is beautiful, and it's nice and flat. With the heat, I am especially looking forward to cooling off in an ice bath multiple times tomorrow," she said.

"It's something people should always give a go once, as it's always great muddy fun."

Founded in 2010, Tough Mudder now has six million participants worldwide, hosting 130 challenges and endurance events annually in 10 countries, raising money for charity.

The Tough Mudder's sister event, Spartan, takes place on Sunday.

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