Many male competitors join in on the unique nature of this event by dressing up (or down) in Mankinis, dresses and Thongs etc to show how really tough they are. Even Top Gears ‘Stig’ was there with his white suit and helmet. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun, despite the gruelling challenges ahead.

 Once the elite runners set off, the rest of us charged down the fields to the sight and sound of fireworks and expecting an 8 mile run before hitting the challenges. But after 500m we were faced with a series of 2m trenches filled with sludgy muddy water. Some ropes or the hand of other runners were necessary to climb out of each one and as soon as you’re out of one, it’s into another, and another, and another! At this early stage we were all so caked in mud and wet through from head to toe that avoiding anything to come was pointless.  The camaraderie amongst the runners was fantastic with everyone giving a helping hand.The expected 8 miles run turned out to be around 4miles before we run through a bit of fire (as you do!) and hit the slalom hills. The hills are very steep and very muddy, so sliding down on your bum was the preferred, and sometimes only, method. The route took us up and down 8 times.  This is where the bottle neck to all the challenges started, and it was clear that racing this event, for all but the elite front runners,  would be impossible and, more importantly, missing the point of it all. This was about facing challenges and having a lot of fun.

After crawling under a few cargo nets and clambering over hay bails, we hit the business end of the run -The Killing Fields! This was the start of around 30 army-style challenges including huge wooden A-frames to climb over, with gaps in between to cross using parallel ropes, trenches of mud and water up over your head, running through lines of burning hay, crawling through concrete tunnels, swimming in a muddy lake and having to dunk under a series of logs.  At one point we were in and out of 3m trenches full of sludgy water up to our chests about 20 times consecutively! The challenges were tough, relentless, and involved an awful lot of water and thick, slimy and stagnant mud! You couldn’t possibly be wetter or muddier. But it was so much fun. Everyone had smiles on their faces, even after completing the course of obstacles, and had to do it all again!

 After 3.5 hours I crossed the line and found myself funnelled into another hay barn where I collected my well earned medal and silver blanket. Then a quick cup of tea and you’re walking through a huge communal bath and shower area. Everyone is so wet, so muddy and so tired it’s hilarious! I’ve come away with a few scrapes and bruises and sore quads, but also the memory of one of the most exhilarating and fun things I’ve ever done. It was fantastic and I’m doing it next year! Please look at the pictures, taken by my wife Alice, which capture the essence of the event much better than I can describe it. 

Anyone fancy a dirty weekend next year? !