Tough Mudder: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Athletic endurance event series}} |
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{{COI|date=February 2013}} |
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{{Use American English|date=May 2017}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}} |
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{{Infobox organization |
{{Infobox organization |
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| image = Tough Mudder SoCal 2013 Walk the Plank.jpg |
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|name = Tough Mudder |
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| caption = A participant completes the Walk the Plank obstacle at the SoCal 2013 Tough Mudder event. |
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| logo = Logo tough-mudder.png |
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|image = |
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| logo_alt = Official Tough Mudder logo |
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| logo_caption = Official Tough Mudder logo |
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| type = Mud run [[obstacle course racing|obstacle course race]] endurance events |
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| headquarters = Brooklyn, NY |
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|type = Endurance race |
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| name = Tough Mudder |
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|website = http://toughmudder.com/ |
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| website = {{plainlist| |
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|former name = |
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* {{URL|http://tmhq.com}} |
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* {{URL|https://toughmudder.com}} |
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* {{URL|http://toughmudder.co.uk}} |
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* {{URL|https://toughmudder.com.au}} |
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* {{URL|http://toughmudder.de}} |
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* {{URL|https://toughmudder.ie}} |
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'''Tough Mudder''' is an endurance event series in which individuals or teams seek to complete 10-12 mile long muddy obstacle courses designed to test strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie. In 2013, 53 Tough Mudder events are planned in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, and Germany. Roughly 500,000 people worldwide participated in a Tough Mudder event in 2012. |
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'''Tough Mudder''' is an endurance event series in which participants attempt {{convert|10|to|12|mi|km|adj=mid|-long}}<ref>{{cite news|date=12 November 2015|title=How to build a $100 million company out of mud|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/11/12/smallbusiness/tough-mudder-endurance-sport/|newspaper=CNN Money}}</ref> [[obstacle course]]s. It was co-founded by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|title=How Two Englishmen Turned A Grueling Endurance Competition Into A Global Craze|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/how-two-englishman-turned-a-grueling-endurance-competition-into-a-global-craze-2014-7 |date=11 July 2014 |newspaper=Business Insider}}</ref> The obstacles often play on common human fears, such as fire, water, electricity and [[fear of heights|heights]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Brian Kilmeade Gets Dirty in the Tough Mudder Challenge on 'Fox and Friends' Set|url=http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/05/18/watch-brian-kilmeade-gets-dirty-in-the-tough-mudder-challenge-on-fox-and-friends-set/|date=18 May 2012|newspaper=Fox News|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512003229/http://foxnewsinsider.com/2012/05/18/watch-brian-kilmeade-gets-dirty-in-the-tough-mudder-challenge-on-fox-and-friends-set/|archive-date=12 May 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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[[File:ToughMudderPlank.jpg|thumb|200px|Walk the Plank obstacle during the Tough Mudder Tri-State 2010.]] |
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[[File:ToughMudderFunkyMonkey.jpg|thumb|200px|The Funky Monkey obstacle at Tough Mudder Tri-State 2010]] |
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The first Tough Mudder challenge was held in the United States in 2010,<ref>{{cite news|title=The Tough Mudder: 'The Toughest Race on the Planet' |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Travel/tough-mudder-toughest-race-planet/story?id=15451677&page=2 |newspaper=ABC Nightline}}</ref> on a ski hill in [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=updated |first=Kate Johnson last |date=2016-09-16 |title=Tough Mudder Founder Will Dean On Building An Empire |url=https://www.coachweb.com/careers/5773/tough-mudder-founder-will-dean-on-building-an-empire |access-date=2023-06-27 |website=coachmaguk |language=en}}</ref> As of 2016, more than three million people worldwide have participated in Tough Mudder events.<ref>{{cite news |title=Inside Tough Mudder's Content Strategy |url=http://digiday.com/brands/inside-tough-mudders-content-strategy/ |date=17 May 2016 |newspaper=[[Digiday]]}}</ref> |
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[[File:Turd's Nest obstacle at World's Toughest Mudder 2011.jpg|thumb|200px|Turd's Nest obstacle at World's Toughest Mudder 2011.]] |
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In January 2020, the Tough Mudder was petitioned for involuntary [[Chapter 11 bankruptcy]] by creditors Valley Builders LLC, Trademarc Associates Inc. and David Watkins Homes Inc.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tough-mudder-creditors-seek-push-182139518.html |title=Tough Mudder Creditors Try to Put Race Company in Bankruptcy |publisher=Yahoo! Finance |language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McNeely |first1=Allison |last2=Church |first2=Steven |title=Tough Mudder Creditors Try to Put Race Company in Bankruptcy |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-07/tough-mudder-creditors-seek-to-push-race-company-into-bankruptcy |website=Bloomberg |accessdate=14 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200112145026/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-01-07/tough-mudder-creditors-seek-to-push-race-company-into-bankruptcy |archive-date=12 January 2020 |date=7 January 2020}}</ref> |
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[[Spartan Race]] acquired Tough Mudder, which had been forced into involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, in February 2020. Spartan Race purchased Tough Mudder assets for $700,000 and the assumption of debts, including honoring prepaid tickets, which was approved by the bankruptcy court for the [[United States District Court for the District of Delaware|District of Delaware]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Church |first1=Steven |title=Tough Mudder Sold in Bankruptcy to Rival, Spartan |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-25/tough-mudder-runs-again-with-bankruptcy-sale-to-rival-spartan |website=Bloomberg |access-date=1 April 2021}}</ref> As of January 2024, 19 Tough Mudder events were scheduled for the remainder of the year in the United States and Canada.<ref name="TMevents">{{cite web |title=Events |url=https://toughmudder.com/events/ |website=Tough Mudder |access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Bear-creek.JPG|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Bear Creek Mountain Resort]] in [[Macungie, Pennsylvania]], where 4,500 participants gathered for the first Tough Mudder event on May 2, 2010]] |
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Tough Mudder was co-founded in 2010 by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone, both British. Dean and Livingstone launched the first Tough Mudder event on May 2, 2010 at [[Bear Creek Ski and Recreation Area|Bear Creek Ski Resort]] near Allentown, PA. The event had 4,500 participants and raised more than $200,000 for their official charity partner, the Wounded Warrior Project.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bloomberg Enterprise|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AJQiJQsxVs&list=UUg79vIcf0XmsoFm2IJz6aMg&index=7&feature=plcp|newspaper=Bloomberg Enterprise}}</ref> Two additional 2010 events were held in Northern California and New Jersey, followed by 14 events in 2011 in other US states.<ref>{{cite news|title=Office Workers Run Amok|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303918204577446943747331290.html|newspaper=Wall Street Journal}}</ref> For 2013 Tough Mudder has scheduled 53 events in the U.S., U.K. Australia, Canada, and Germany.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tough Mudder|url=http://www.toughmudder.com|publisher=Tough Mudder}}</ref> |
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Tough Mudder was co-founded in 2010 by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone, both British subjects living in [[New York City|New York]]. Dean, a former British counter-terrorism officer, had developed the idea for the company while studying at Harvard Business School, where the concept was a semifinalist in the school's annual business plan competition.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="nytimes1">{{cite news|title=Playing with Fire, Barbed Wire and Beer|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/29/sports/29mudder.html?_r=2& |
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|newspaper=The New York Times |date=April 29, 2010|first=John|last=Branch}}</ref> It has been noted that Will Dean took the idea from Billy Wilson and his [[Tough Guy]] races staged in [[England]] since 1987.<ref>{{cite news|title=Playing Dirty|url=http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/multisport/Playing-Dirty-November-2012.html}}</ref> Dean and Livingstone, a former corporate lawyer, held the first Tough Mudder event on May 2, 2010 at [[Bear Creek Mountain Resort]] near [[Allentown, Pennsylvania]]. Promoted exclusively through [[Facebook]] advertising and word of mouth, the event drew more than 4,500 participants.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="nytimes1"/> |
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On May 2, 2013, Tough Mudder announced that it had reached one million total registrations since it started in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |author=Max Rivlin-Nadler |url=http://gothamist.com/2013/04/29/dumbo_gets_an_arctic_enema_tomorrow.php |title=DUMBO Gets An "Arctic Enema" Tomorrow |publisher=Gothamist |date=2013-04-29 |accessdate=2013-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928034743/http://gothamist.com/2013/04/29/dumbo_gets_an_arctic_enema_tomorrow.php |archive-date=September 28, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The company had more than 700,000 participants in 2013, with events in the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, and Germany.<ref name="new yorker cold mud" /> The [[Mudderella]], created in 2013, is a 5-7 mile long obstacle course series targeted toward women.<ref>{{cite web|title=’Fox & Friends’ tackles Mudderella|url=http://video.foxnews.com/v/2684097083001/fox--friends-tackles-mudderella/|publisher=foxnews.com|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> |
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The Tough Mudder website says it is a fact that [[Marathon|Marathon]] running is boring. <ref>{{cite web|title=Tough Mudder|url=http://toughmudder.com/about/|publisher=Tough Mudder}}</ref> The website also claims that road-running may give you a healthy set of lungs, but will leave you with as much upper body strength as [[Keira Knightley|Keira Knightley]]. The Tough Mudder website also encourages its "Mudders" (participants) not take themselves too seriously. <ref>{{cite web|title=Tough Mudder|url=http://toughmudder.com/about/|publisher=Tough Mudder}}</ref> |
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In 2014 the company also expanded to Ireland and New Zealand,<ref name="new yorker cold mud">{{cite news|title=In Cold Mud|url=https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2014/01/27/140127fa_fact_widdicombe|newspaper=The New Yorker |date=January 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Tough Mudder Norcal 2014 |url=http://toughmudder.com/events/norcal-2014/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919045914/http://toughmudder.com/events/norcal-2014/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 19, 2013 |date=March 7, 2014}} </ref> with an {{convert|18|to|20|km|adj=on|order=flip}} military obstacle course in [[Auckland]], NZ. |
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In 2015, Tough Mudder hosted more than 50 events in seven countries across three continents.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tough Mudder's Will Dean brings in the tear gas to keep us hooked|date=February 27, 2015|url=http://www.afr.com/real-estate/commercial/hotels-and-leisure/tough-mudders-will-dean-brings-in-the-tear-gas-to-keep-us-hooked-20150224-13neon|publisher=Australian Financial Review}}</ref> |
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In April 2016, Tough Mudder announced a partnership with international sports management company [[IMG (company)|IMG]] to bring its events to [[Asia]] and the [[Middle East]], beginning with [[China]] and [[United Arab Emirates]] in 2016. Tough Mudder also announced a partnership with media and technology investment firm Seroja Partners to host an event in [[Bali]], [[Indonesia]] in October 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder targets Asia and Middle East with IMG partnership|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c39ceb30-fffb-11e5-ac98-3c15a1aa2e62.html|newspaper=Financial Times|date=April 11, 2016|last1=Bond|first1=Shannon}}</ref> |
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On October 1, 2016 in Jimbaran Hijau, [[Bali]], Indonesia, Tough Mudder held its first event in Asia, drawing 1500 competitors from more than 37 countries including Indonesia, Singapore and Australia.<ref name="Run Society">{{Cite news|url=https://www.runsociety.com/races/tough-mudder-makes-asia-debut-on-the-island-of-the-gods/|title=Tough Mudder Makes Asia Debut On the Island of the Gods|accessdate=December 6, 2016|work=Run Society|date=December 2016|first=Goh|last=Jie}}</ref> On December 9–10, 2016, up to 5,000 participated in Tough Mudder's first event in the [[Middle East]] that took place at the [[Hamdan Sports Complex]].<ref name="The National">{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenational.ae/business/the-life/tough-mudder-in-dubai-meet-the-former-diplomat-who-made-100-million-out-of-mud|title=Tough Mudder in Dubai Meet the Former Diplomat Who Made 100 Million Out of Mud|accessdate=February 22, 2017|work=The National|date=February 2017|first=Sean|last=Conin}}</ref><ref name="Gulf News">{{Cite news|url=http://gulfnews.com/leisure/health/tough-mudder-in-the-uae-the-mudder-of-obstacle-races-1.1944175|title=Tough Mudder in the UAE|accessdate=February 22, 2017|work=Gulf News|date=February 2017|first=Dwynn|last=Trazo}}</ref> Tough Mudder CEO Will Dean revealed that the company will seek to launch a chain of fitness boutiques in the [[United States]] in 2017 to expand the brand beyond Obstacle Course Racing events.<ref name="Sports Business Journal">{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2016/12/12/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Tough-Mudder.aspx |
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|title=Marketing and Sponsorship/Tough Mudder |accessdate=December 12, 2016|work=Sports Business Journal|date=December 2016|first=Ben|last=Fischer}}</ref> |
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In March 2017, Tough Mudder announced it was continuing its international expansion to New Zealand with Sports Media and Entertainment 360 (SME360) as the official licensee of Tough Mudder events in that country. The first event will held on November 4–5, 2017 at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park. Tough Mudder expanded its 2016 partnership deal with IMG to include Australia for 2017 and 2018 seasons, adding to events already slated in China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates.<ref name="Media Post">{{Cite news|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/296638/tough-mudder-expands-sports-brand-internationally.html|title=Tough Mudder Expands Sports Brand Internationally |accessdate=March 7, 2017|work=MediaPost|date=March 2017|first=Tanya|last=Gazdik}}</ref><ref name="Deadline">{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/channel-4-national-treasure-robbie-coltrane-julie-walters-royal-television-society-nominations-tough-mudder-espn-deals-international-1202038298/|title=Tough Mudder Inks Global Partnership Deals with ESPN, SME360 |accessdate=March 7, 2017|work=Deadline|date=March 2017|first=Diana|last=Lodderhose}}</ref><ref name="Cynopsis 2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cynopsis.com/030717-bt-sport-named-champions-nbc-continues-racing-run-espns-march-marathon/|title=Tough Mudder Unveils Global Expansion Deals with ESPN, SME360 |accessdate=March 7, 2017|work=Cynopsis2|date=March 2017}}</ref> |
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In December 2019, Joe Desena of [[Spartan Race]] stated he had options on Canadian and German Tough Mudder events via an interview on Obstacle Racing Media. Joe also indicated Spartan was trying to acquire the entire Tough Mudder brand. Tough Mudder shut down all online registration in December 2019, and co-founder Will Dean stated it was because of a dispute with its online registration partner Active (debts, lawsuit). Obstacle Racing Media posted on December 31, 2019 that Tough Mudder Canada filed for bankruptcy. |
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==Event types== |
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{{multiple image |
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| width = 200 |
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| image1 = Tough Mudder obstacle Arctic Enema.jpg |
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| alt1 = Arctic Enema |
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| caption1 = Arctic Enema |
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| image2 = Tough Mudder obstacle Electroshock Therapy 2.xcf |
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| alt2 = Electroshock Therapy |
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| caption2 = Electroshock Therapy |
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}}{{multiple image |
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| width = 200 |
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| image1 = Tough Mudder obstacle Funky Monkey.jpg |
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| alt1 = Funky Monkey |
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| caption1 = Funky Monkey |
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| image2 = Tough Mudder obstacle Everest.jpg |
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| alt2 = Everest |
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| caption2 = Everest |
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}} |
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===Tough Mudder Classic=== |
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The typical Tough Mudder Classic course is 8–10 miles long and features 25 obstacles. Terrain type varies from course to course; natural features of the land at each venue are incorporated into the course design.<ref>{{cite news|title=Getting tough in the Black Diamond mud with Tough Mudder this weekend|url=http://www.maplevalleyreporter.com/community/171390371.html|newspaper=Maple Valley Reporter}}</ref> Past venues have included [[ranch]]es, [[motocross]] tracks, and [[ski resort]]s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder: Mud, Sweat & No Tears|url=http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/tough-mudder-mud-sweat-no-tears-20121030|newspaper=Men's Journal|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329190719/http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/tough-mudder-mud-sweat-no-tears-20121030|archive-date=March 29, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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The list of obstacles also varies from course to course, though there are several "signature" obstacles at almost every event,<ref>{{cite news|title=One Tough Mudder|url=http://vtsports.com/one-tough-mudder-why-do-more-than-12000-people-risk-hypothermia-and-exhaustion-could-be-the-free-beer|newspaper=Vermont Sports}}</ref> including: |
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* Arctic Enema – Participants plunge into a [[dumpster]] filled with ice water, dunk underneath a plank that crosses the dumpster, and pull themselves out on other side.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder's 20 Most Badass Obstacles: Arctic Enema|url=http://www.mensfitness.com/training/endurance/tough-mudders-20-most-badass-obstacles?page=5|newspaper=Men's Fitness}}</ref> |
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* Electroshock Therapy – Live wires hang over a field of mud which participants must traverse.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder's 20 Most Badass Obstacles: Electroshock Therapy|url=http://www.mensfitness.com/training/endurance/tough-mudders-20-most-badass-obstacles?page=8|newspaper=Men's Fitness}}</ref> |
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* Funky Monkey – A set of incline and decline [[jungle gym|monkey bars]] over a pit of cold water. The bars are slicked with a mixture of butter and mud.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder's 20 Most Badass Obstacles: Funky Monkey|url=http://www.mensfitness.com/training/endurance/tough-mudders-20-most-badass-obstacles?page=9|newspaper=Men's Fitness}}</ref> |
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* Everest – Participants run up a [[quarter pipe]] slicked with mud and grease. |
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===Tough Mudder 5K=== |
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At 5 kilometres long, Tough Mudder Half events are just under half the distance of a typical Tough Mudder challenge. The courses feature signature Tough Mudder obstacles including Block Ness Monster, Kiss of Mud, and Everest; however, they do not include any obstacles with fire, ice, or electric shocks.<ref name="time.com">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder to Unveil Slightly Less Tough Alternative |
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|url=http://time.com/4101934/tough-mudder-half/|newspaper=TIME Magazine}}</ref> |
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===Tougher Mudder=== |
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Tougher Mudder, a timed, competitive start wave at the beginning of Tough Mudder events that will be held at select venues with prize money to the top 3 finishers. The OCR World Championships team confirmed that Tougher Mudder will be a qualifier for the OCR World Championships.<ref name="MudRunGuide.com">{{cite news|title=Tougher Mudder Competitive Series Debuts in New Orleans|url=http://www.mudrunguide.com/2017/03/tougher-mudder-competitive-series-debuts-new-orleans/ |
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|newspaper=MudRunGuide.com}}</ref> |
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In September 2017, Tough Mudder announced that it was launching the $50,000 Tougher Mudder Championship Race Series, which was streamed live on Facebook Watch (see below under Facebook Watch).<ref name="TheWrap.com">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thewrap.com/tough-mudder-teams-up-with-facebook-watch-for-exclusive-content-live-event-streaming/|title=Tough Mudder Teams Up with Facebook|accessdate=September 25, 2017|work=TheWrap.com|date=September 25, 2017}}</ref> The series kicked off on Oct. 7 at Tougher Tri-State in Englishtown, New Jersey, and culminated with the Championship on Nov. 4 in Lake Elsinore, California.<ref name="Cynopsis">{{Cite news|url=http://www.cynopsis.com/092717-the-nfl-and-facebook-are-partnering-up-for-a-global-content-distribution-deal/|title=The NFL and Facebook Team UP for Global Content Distribution Deal|accessdate=September 27, 2017|work=Cynopsis|date=September 27, 2017}}</ref> The race featured some of the world's top extreme athletes, functional fitness athletes and endurance runners as they tackled 20 plus obstacles on a 10-mile course. .<ref name="Media Post2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/307751/tough-mudder-to-deliver-programming-on-facebook-wa.html|title=Tough Mudder to Deliver Programming on Facebook Watch|accessdate=September 25, 2017|work=Media Post|date=September 25, 2017}}</ref> |
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===Tough Mudder 5K Urban=== |
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Tough Mudder 5K is 3.1 miles or 5K in length. Tough Mudder announced in October 2017, that it will be bringing the 5K to London, Manchester, and Edinburgh in the Summer of 2018 and will offer an "Up-Late" special Friday Evening 5K event as a way for people to kick off their weekends.<ref name="ManchesterEveningNews">{{Cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/tough-mudder-manchester-heaton-tickets-13775184|title=Tough Mudder is coming to Heaton Park in 2018|accessdate=October 18, 2017|work=Manchester Evening News|date=October 18, 2017}}</ref><ref name="The Edinburgh Reporter">{{Cite news|url=http://www.theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2017/10/5k-tough-mudder-course-announced-for-edinburgh/|title=Tough Mudder Course Announced for Edinburgh|accessdate=October 18, 2017|work=Manchester Evening News|date=October 18, 2017}}</ref> Tough Mudder expanded its 5K event to more than 25 cities in the US and more than five countries globally including Germany, Canada, and Oman in 2018.<ref name="ORM101">{{Cite news|url=http://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/tough-mudder-5k-events/|title=Tough Mudder 5K Events|accessdate=February 8, 2018|work=Obstacle Racing Media|date=February 8, 2018}}</ref><ref name="MAT101">{{Cite news|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/tough-mudder-to-enter-the-country-this-july-2018/391395/|title=Tough Mudder to Enter the Country This July 2018|accessdate=April 8, 2018|work=Manila Times|date=April 8, 2018}}</ref> The 5K features 10 obstacles. Tough Mudder held its first 5K in the UK on March 23, 2018 in Stratford. Soap Opera actress Jorgie Porter ran the event.<ref name="Verge101">{{Cite news|url=http://vergemagazine.co.uk/are-you-a-tough-mudder/|title=Are You a Tough Mudder|accessdate=March 12, 2018|work=Verge Magazine|date=March 12, 2018}}</ref><ref name="WYD101">{{Cite news|url=http://whateveryourdose.com/fun-fitness-events-for-your-diary-in-march/|title=Fun Fitness Events for Your Diary|accessdate=March 12, 2018|work=Whatever Your Dose|date=March 12, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Handbook101">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehandbook.com/blog/2018/03/worlds-toughest-endurance-event-comes-london/|title=World's Toughest Endurance Event Comes to London|accessdate=March 14, 2018|work=The Handbook|date=March 14, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Redbull101">{{Cite news|url=https://www.redbull.com/ie-en/best-obstacle-endurance-races-tough-mudder|title=Best Obstacle Endurance Races: Tough Mudder|accessdate=January 22, 2018|work=Redbull.com|date=January 22, 2018}}</ref> |
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===Toughest Mudder=== |
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In 2016, Tough Mudder, Inc. announced it will debut a new series, Toughest Mudder, in 2017.<ref name="obstacleracingmedia.com">{{cite news|title=tough-mudder-creates-tv-show-racing-series|url=http://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/tough-mudder-creates-tv-show-racing-series/|newspaper=Obstacle Racing Media}}</ref> The series will be six events held in the US, UK and Canada. Each will be eight hours in length, that will lead into the entry into the "Contender Category" for World's Toughest Mudder 2017. |
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===Tough Mudder X=== |
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Tough Mudder X is a mix of Tough Mudder, strength-based Cross-Fit exercises and road racing to determine "Fittest, Fastest Athletes in the World". The event has 200 selected athletes (one must apply to be considered for the event) competing in heats of 12 on a one-mile course that includes 10 Tough Mudder obstacles and 10 "Functional Fitness Workout Zones" with such exercises as pull-ups, box jumps, and wall balls. All obstacles and workout zones must be finished. The top 24 male and female finishers of preliminary heats move on to the finals. Winning purse is $50,000—the men's and women's winners each take home $25,000. This new event aired on [[CBS]] (see below under [[CBS Sports]]) in August and September in 2017.<ref name="USAToday.com">{{cite news|title=CBS and Tough Mudder Expand Partnership|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2017/06/01/cbs-tough-mudder-expand-partnership/102375010/l|newspaper=USAToday.com}}</ref><ref name="Deadline.com">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Muscles Up With New CBS Deal|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/tough-mudder-cbs-schedule-2017-1202105452/|newspaper=Deadline.com}}</ref><ref name="ObstacleRacingMedia.com">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Goes Extremely Short|url=http://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/tough-mudder-goes-extremely-short/|newspaper=ObstacleRacingMedia.com}}</ref><ref name="CBSSports.com">{{cite news|title=Looking for Something Crazier Than Tough Mudder|url=http://www.cbssports.com/general/news/looking-for-something-crazier-than-tough-mudder-how-about-tough-mudder-x-on-cbs/|newspaper=CBSSports.com}}</ref> In 2018, the qualifier and open competitions took place Sunday, March 25, in Sacramento, California; and Sunday, April 8, in Miami, with the finale to be held in Richmond, Virginia, on Friday, June 8.<ref name="CBSSports5">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Unveils Bigger, Badder Obstacles for 2018, Will Return to CBS|url=https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/tough-mudder-unveils-bigger-badder-obstacles-for-2018-will-return-to-cbs/|newspaper=CBSSports.com}}</ref> |
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===Mini Mudder=== |
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In 2015, Tough Mudder debuted Fruit Shoot Mini Mudder, an obstacle course challenge for children.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder and Britvic partner for Mini Mudder events|url=http://www.eventmagazine.co.uk/tough-mudder-britvic-partner-mini-mudder-events/venues/article/1332651 |date=5 February 2015 |newspaper=Event Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Fruit Shoot launches kids' version of Tough Mudder endurance event|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/buying-and-supplying/fruit-shoot-launches-kids-version-of-tough-mudder-endurance-event/513363.article|date=9 February 2015 |newspaper=The Grocer}}</ref> Mini Mudder events are designed for children aged five to twelve (as of 2019), and are about a mile long, including of four laps of a loop that has 10 obstacles.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder launches new kids' obstacle course to run alongside adult events |
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|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/family/tough-mudder-launches-new-kids-5091568|newspaper=The Mirror}}</ref> |
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===Urban Mudder=== |
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The five-mile course featured obstacles including "Rock and a Hard Place" and "Rooftop Series"; the event also featured a live DJ, festival area, and beer garden.<ref>{{cite news|title=Treating Myself to a Full Course 'Meal' at the Inaugural Urban Mudder|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-seo/treating-myself-to-a-full_b_7939298.html|date=5 August 2015 |newspaper=Huffington Post}}</ref> |
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===World's Toughest Mudder=== |
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{{multiple image |
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| width = 200 |
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| footer = The first and second place finishers of World's Toughest Mudder 2012 |
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| image1 = Junyong Pak WTM 2012.xcf |
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| alt1 = Junyong Pak |
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| caption1 = Junyong Pak |
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| image2 = Amelia Boone WTM 2012.xcf |
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| alt2 = Amelia Boone |
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| caption2 = Amelia Boone |
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}} |
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The competition consists of a {{convert|5|mi|km|adj=on}} looped course, which participants continuously run through for 24 hours. The participant who completes the most laps is declared the winner. The winners receive the title of "World's Toughest Mudder" and a $10,000 prize for the winning solo male and female and a $12,000 prize for the winning team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toughmudder.com/events/worlds-toughest-mudder |title=World's Toughest Mudder site |publisher=ToughMudder.com |date=2015-04-09 |accessdate=2015-04-09}}</ref> |
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World's Toughest Mudder was first held in 2011 at [[Old Bridge Township Raceway Park|Raceway Park]] in New Jersey. The team competition was introduced in 2012; a team from Pennsylvania calling themselves "Nine Inch Males" took first place. There were over 1,200 competitors in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=The toughest obstacle course on earth: 24 hours of hell in New Jersey, US |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/7a80e610-603d-11e2-b657-00144feab49a.html#slide0|newspaper=Financial Times}}</ref> |
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World's Toughest Mudder in 2014 was held at Lake Las Vegas in Nevada and was a 5-mile course with obstacles such as a 35-foot drop into a lake during the day and swimming 300 yards while keeping a torch lit at night. Top finishers in 2014 were Ryan Atkins (19 laps, 95 miles, male solo), Amelia Boone (15 laps, 75 miles, female solo), and Team Wolf Pack (15 laps, 75 miles, team). |
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In 2016, about 1500 competitors from around the world converged on Lake Las Vegas for the third year in a row to compete in the World's Toughest Mudder. New to the 6th annual running of the event was a $100K bonus prize for the first team to pass the 100-mile mark. In addition, all three men's finalists surpassed the 100-mile mark (another event milestone) with first place going to Trevor Cichosz who also completed 105 miles. Stefanie Bishop, who signed up for the event at the last minute, took the Women's lead early and never lost it, taking the Women's crown by completing 85 miles.<ref name="MudRunGuide.com" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder:The Cliff CBS Broadcast|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2016/12/20/tough-mudder-the-cliff-cbs-broadcast/95666586/|newspaper=USA Today}}</ref> In 2017, Ryan Atkins and Rea Kolbl captured the World's Toughest Mudder titles for Men and Women.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rya Atkins and Rea Kolbl Win 2017 World's Toughest Mudder|url=http://www.mudrunguide.com/2017/11/ryan-atkins-rea-kolbl-win-2017-worlds-toughest-mudder/|newspaper=MudRunGuide (2017)}}</ref> |
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==World's Toughest Mudder results== |
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;2014 results |
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:Men |
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# Ryan Atkins – 95 miles – 23:30:46 |
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# Jarrod Pace – 95 miles – 25:47:15 |
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# Trevor Cichosz – 90 miles – 24:14:07 |
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:Women |
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# Amelia Boone – 75 miles – 24:57:52 |
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# Allison Tai – 70 miles – 25:34:48 |
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# Fraya Bartuska – 65 miles – 23:55:46 |
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;2015 results |
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:Men |
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# Chad Trammell – 95 miles – 24:00:10 |
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# Trevor Cichosz – 95 miles – 24:17:34 |
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# Brad Carron-Arthur – 90 miles – 24:35:02 |
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:Women |
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# Amelia Boone – 75 miles – 24:10:17 |
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# Sara Knight – 70 miles – 24:40:02 |
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# Deanna Blegg – 70 miles – 25:08:11 |
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;2016 results |
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: Men |
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# Trevor Cichosz - 105 miles - 24:00:15 |
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# Austin Azar - 100 miles - 22:43:51 |
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# Kristopher Mendoza - 100 miles - 24:45:17 |
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: Women |
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# Stefanie Bishop - 85 miles - 25:05:52 |
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# Susanne Kraus - 80 miles - 24:02:13 |
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# Morgan McKay - 80 miles - 24:08:53 |
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: Team |
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# Team Goat Tough - 105 miles - 24:02:48 |
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# Team America - 100 miles - 24:52:20 |
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# Team Mayhem - 90 miles - 24:26:35 |
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;2017 results |
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: Men |
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# Ryan Atkins - 110 miles - 22 Laps |
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# Robert Kilian - 105 miles - 21 Laps |
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# Trevor Cichosz - 95 miles - 19 Laps |
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: Women |
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# Rea Kolbl - 90 miles - 18 Laps |
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# Allison Tai - 85 miles - 17 Laps |
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# Michelle Ford - 80 miles - 16 Laps |
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: Team |
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# 3 Guys and a Spartan - 120 miles - 24 Laps |
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# North America GOAT Tough - 120 miles - 24 Laps |
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# Germany - 110 miles - 22 Laps |
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===All-Time World's Toughest Mudder Winners=== |
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====Men==== |
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* 2023: Austin Azar (105 miles) |
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* 2022: DJ Fox (105 miles) |
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* 2021: Mark Batres (115 miles) |
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* 2019: Trevor Cichosz (105 miles)<ref name="2019 results">{{Cite web|url=https://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/worlds-toughest-mudder-results-2019/|title = World's Toughest Mudder Results 2019|date = November 21, 2019}}</ref> |
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* 2018: Kristopher Mendoza (100 miles) |
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* 2017: Ryan Atkins (110 miles) |
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* 2016: Trevor Cichosz (105 miles) |
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* 2015: Chad Trammell (95 miles) |
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* 2014: Ryan Atkins (95 miles) |
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* 2013: Ryan Atkins (100 miles) |
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* 2012: Junyong Pak (95 miles) |
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* 2011: Junyong Pak (56 miles) |
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====Women==== |
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* 2023: Kris Rugloski (90 miles) |
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* 2022: Kris Rugloski (100 miles) |
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* 2021: Katie Knight (90 miles) |
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* 2019: Morgan McKay (80 miles)<ref name="2019 results"/> |
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* 2018: Rea Kolbl (75 miles) |
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* 2017: Rea Kolbl (90 miles) |
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* 2016: Stefanie Bishop (85 miles) |
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* 2015: Amelia Boone (75 miles) |
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* 2014: Amelia Boone (75 miles) |
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* 2013: Deanna Blegg (85 miles) |
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* 2012: Amelia Boone (90 miles) |
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* 2011: Juliana Sproles (48 miles) |
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====Teams==== |
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* 2023: D-Fit Black (90 miles) |
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* 2022: USOCR Midwest (95 miles) |
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* 2021: Two Lokos (125 miles) |
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* 2019: Muddy Canucks (105 miles)<ref name="2019 results"/> |
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* 2019: German Toughest Mudders (85 miles)<ref name="2019 results"/> |
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* 2018: Lindsay's Angels (80 miles) |
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* 2018: Team Atomik (75 miles) |
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* 2017: Fitone Gettingtough (85 miles) |
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* 2017: Team United States (120 miles |
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* 2016: Team Goat Tough (105 miles) |
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* 2015: Synergy Sports (80 miles) |
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* 2014: Wolfpack Spartan (75 miles) |
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* 2013: 3AM Waterfalls (80 miles) |
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* 2012: Nine Inch Males (60 miles) |
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==Tough Mudder Bootcamp== |
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In May 2017, Tough Mudder launched a studio fitness brand extension, Tough Mudder Bootcamp. The first two franchises, in [[Las Vegas]] and [[Burlington, Massachusetts]], opened in April 2018.<ref name="LVRJ417">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Launches Indoor Training Gym in Las Vegas|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/health/tough-mudder-launches-indoor-training-gym-in-las-vegas/|newspaper=ReviewJournal.com |date=2017-08-04 |accessdate=2017-08-04}}</ref><ref name="Burlington417">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Bootcamp to Open on Cambridge Street|url=http://burlington.wickedlocal.com/news/20180212/tough-mudder-bootcamp-set-to-open-on-cambridge-street-in-burlington-this-spring|newspaper=Burlington.WickedLocal.com |date=2018-02-12 |accessdate=2018-02-12}}</ref> Franchises cost $50,000 with total startup cost ranging from $200K to $300K.<ref name="SBD417">{{cite news|title=Time to Get Dirty: Tough Mudder Launches Boutique Fitness Clubs|url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2017/05/17/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Tough-Mudder.aspx|newspaper=SportsBusinessDaily.com |date=2017-05-17 |accessdate=2017-05-17}}</ref> Ten franchises have been sold and more than 65 have been reserved across the USA.<ref name="MediaPost417">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Expands into Studio Fitness Industry|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/304617/tough-mudder-expands-into-fitness-studio-industry.html|newspaper=MediaPost.com |date=2017-07-20 |accessdate=2017-07-20}}</ref> The Bootcamps provide 45-minute HIIT classes for up to 24 participants each and are designed to be done with a partner. Classes are instructor-led with assistance from a proprietary technology platform that guides participants through each class station.<ref name="FoxBusiness417">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Targets Middle America with New Bootcamp Franchise|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tough-mudder-targets-apos-middle-122800253.html|newspaper=FOXBusiness.com |date=2017-08-04 |accessdate=2017-08-04}}</ref> |
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==Mudder Legion== |
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A person who successfully finishes a Tough Mudder event is deemed a "Legionnaire," Tough Mudder collectively calls all its finishers the "Mudder Legion".<ref>{{cite news|title=Mudder Legion Unleashes Rainbow Warriors|url=http://obstacleracingmedia.com/editorial/mudder-legion-unleashes-rainbow-warriors/|newspaper=Obstacle Racing Media}}</ref> Each finisher receives a headband for completing a Tough Mudder.<ref>{{cite news|title=Elusive black headband may be key to lifelong happiness|url=http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/opinion/columns/column-elusive-black-headband-may-be-key-to-lifelong-happiness/article_0c5632d4-d022-11e3-8b35-001a4bcf6878.html|newspaper=Northwestern Georgia News}}</ref> Tough Mudder created a handcrafted steel headband for the first legionnaire, Jim Campbell, who completed 100 Tough Mudders.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jim Campbell Da Goat Becomes Da Legend|url=http://obstacleracingmedia.com/ocr-news/jim-campbell-da-goat-becomes-da-legend/|newspaper=Obstacle Racing News}}</ref> |
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<ref>{{cite news|title=Last Week in Obstacle Course Racing|url=http://www.mudrunguide.com/2016/09/last-week-ocr-september-12th-edition/|newspaper=Mud Run Guide 2016}}</ref> |
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==Innovation== |
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In 2012, Tough Mudder founded an off-site "Obstacle Innovation Lab" in New Jersey, where the company designs and tests new obstacles.<ref>{{cite news|title=Obstacles Test Athletes' Grit|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/19/sports/spartan-race-at-fenway-park-tests-athletes-grit.html|newspaper=The New York Times | first=Dina|last=Kraft|date=2012-11-18}}</ref> |
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In January 2015, Tough Mudder announced "Tough Mudder Redefined," an initiative to revamp its courses by adding many new obstacles and updating the remaining ones.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder just got even tougher|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/active/11341098/Tough-Mudder-just-got-even-tougher.html|newspaper=The Telegraph}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder unveils all new obstacles|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2015/01/13/tough-mudder-unveils-all-new-obstacles/|newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder 2015: What to Expect|url=http://www.mensjournal.com/adventure/races-sports/tough-mudder-2015-what-to-expect-20150114|newspaper=Men's Journal}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder adds new challenges for 2015|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/videos/tough-mudder-adds-new-challenges-for-2015/|newspaper=CBS This Morning}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Is Changing in 2015—Here's What To Expect|url=http://www.self.com/flash/fitness-blog/2015/01/tough-mudder-new-obstacles-mud-runs/|newspaper=Self}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Arctic Enemas' and tear gas: How Tough Mudder concocts its brutal courses|url=http://mashable.com/2015/01/16/tough-mudder-courses/#9Kq8ln62SPkD|newspaper=Mashable}}</ref> |
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In January 2016, Tough Mudder unveiled several new obstacles for 2016, including Block Ness Monster, a series of rotating blocks floating in waist-deep water, designed to require teamwork to conquer.<ref>{{cite news|title=The mudlark who made punishment pay|url=http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/business/workinglife/article4670123.ece|newspaper=The Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=How Tough Mudder comes up with its evil obstacles|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/the-filter/how-tough-mudder-comes-up-with-its-evil-obstacles/|newspaper=The Telegraph}}</ref> This obstacle received the highest participant rating of any obstacle in Tough Mudder history while in testing.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder reveals new obstacle inspired by Loch Ness Monster for scary endurance event|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/tough-mudder-reveals-new-obstacle-7165527#MDzdQCdwvDyRrxG3.97|newspaper=The Daily Record}}</ref> Tough Mudder also revealed three new obstacles for 2016 that are exclusive to participants who have completed more than one Tough Mudder event: Backstabber, an inclined wall ascent using pegs; Rain Main, a watery passage underneath a chain-link fence while water drips down; and Frequent Flyers' Club, a jump from a height onto a crash mat.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Announces 6 New, Popular Obstacles In 2016|url=http://womensrunning.competitor.com/2016/01/news/tough-mudder-announces-5-new-insane-obstacles_52626|newspaper=Women's Running}}</ref> |
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Tough Mudder introduced six new obstacles for 2017 season in November 2016. Obstacles include: Augustus Gloop, ascend up a vertical tube with water gushing down; Funky Monkey: The Revolution – an update on the original obstacle with series of revolving wheels to be traversed dangling over water; Arctic Enema: The Rebirth – another update on a classic – slide head first down a tube into icy water and submerge again under a wall to escape; Black Hole – an update on the original Birth Canal obstacle – one must crawl their way through a gauntlet of 100 lb. water-filled barriers in total darkness; The Reach Around – 20 foot wall that one must then go beyond vertical to scale over; and Kong – 30 foot high obstacle that participants swing from ring to ring at increasing further distant like Tarzan.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder New Obstacles 2017|url=https://www.si.com/edge/2016/11/10/tough-mudder-new-obstacles-2017-worlds-toughest-mudder|newspaper=Sports Illustrated}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder 2017 New Insane Obstacles 2017|url=https://www.si.com/edge/2016/11/10/tough-mudder-new-obstacles-2017-worlds-toughest-mudder|newspaper=Crave Online}}</ref> |
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In January 2018, Tough Mudder introduced its new obstacles for the year which include Kong Infinity and Happy Ending.<ref name ="CBSSports106">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Unveils Bigger, Badder Obstacles for 2018, Will Returns to CBS|url=https://www.cbssports.com/general/news/tough-mudder-unveils-bigger-badder-obstacles-for-2018-will-return-to-cbs/|newspaper=CBSSports.com}}</ref><ref name ="SI106">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder New Obstacles for 2018|url=https://www.si.com/edge/2018/01/11/tough-mudder-new-obstacles-2018-happy-ending-kong-infinity|newspaper=SI.com}}</ref> |
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==Safety== |
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At the April 20, 2013 Tough Mudder Mid-Atlantic event in [[Gerrardstown, West Virginia]], 28-year-old participant Avishek Sengupta died following an incident on the "[[Walking the plank|Walk the Plank]]" obstacle.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mid-Atlantic 2013 incident statement |url=http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/mid-atlantic-2013-incident-statement_03.pdf |date=April 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211002936/http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/mid-atlantic-2013-incident-statement_03.pdf |archive-date=December 11, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=Jenni Vincent and Rachel Molenda |url=http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/593648/One-dies-after-participating-at----.html |title=One dies after participating at Tough Mudder |publisher=[[The Journal (West Virginia newspaper)|The Journal]] |location=Martinsburg |date=2013-04-22 |accessdate=2013-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515150746/http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/593648/One-dies-after-participating-at----.html |archive-date=May 15, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Witnesses told the [[Berkeley County, WV|Berkeley County]] sheriff's office, which investigated the death, that he was submerged in water for between five and 15 minutes. A coroner ruled the death an accidental drowning and the sheriff's office concluded it did not warrant criminal charges.<ref name="baltimorenewsjournal1">{{cite news|url=http://www.baltimorenewsjournal.com/2013/04/22/towson-university-graduate-dies-in-w-va-tough-mudder-endurance-event/ |title=Towson University graduate dies in W.Va. 'Tough Mudder' endurance event |publisher=Baltimorenewsjournal.com |date=2013-04-22 |accessdate=2013-09-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211002323/http://www.baltimorenewsjournal.com/2013/04/22/towson-university-graduate-dies-in-w-va-tough-mudder-endurance-event/ |archive-date=December 11, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Witnesses describe wait for Tough Mudder rescue |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/09/02/witnesses-describe-wait-for-tough-mudder-rescue/ |date=September 2013}}</ref> This was the first fatality in Tough Mudder's history.<ref name="baltimorenewsjournal1"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20130422/us-tough-mudder-death/?ir=green |title=W.Va. investigating death of Md. man |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |accessdate=2013-09-01 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}</ref> |
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In 2014, ''[[The Atlantic]]'' reported on an incident at an October 2012 Tough Mudder event in [[Beatty, Nevada]]. There, three military personnel were admitted to the [[Nellis Air Force Base]] medical center with vomiting and bloody diarrhea. All had fallen face-first in mud on the Tough Mudder course on a nearby cattle ranch a week before. Subsequent investigations linked 22 cases "most likely caused by infection with the [[fecal–oral route|fecally transmitted bacterium]] ''[[Campylobacter coli]]''," possibly from water contaminated by livestock.<ref>{{cite news|author=James Hamblin |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2014/05/tough-mudder-feces-in-mouth/361588/ |title=Another Solid Reason Not to Do a Mud-Obstacle Run |publisher=[[The Atlantic]]|date=2014-05-02 |accessdate=2018-02-05}}</ref> |
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Statements released by Tough Mudder since the incident have discussed the company's commitment to safety,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/mid-atlantic-2013-incident-statement_03.pdf |title=Mid-Atlantic 2013 Incident Statement |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130531232856/http://toughmudder.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/mid-atlantic-2013-incident-statement_03.pdf |archive-date=May 31, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> and Tough Mudder CEO Will Dean has stated that Tough Mudder events are about 20 times safer than triathlons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/21/tough-mudder-safety_n_5358489.html |title=Tough Mudder CEO: Our Challenges are 20 Times Safer Than Triathlons |publisher=HuffPost Live |date=2013-05-21 |accessdate=2013-06-02}}</ref> |
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According to study by Canadian researchers and published in the [[Emergency Medicine Journal]] in 2016,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://emj.bmj.com/content/early/2016/09/15/emermed-2016-206012.abstract |title=Obstacle Course Runs: Review of acquired injuries and illnesses at a series of Canadian events|publisher=Emergency Medicine Journal |date=2016-09-15 |accessdate=2016-09-15}}</ref> serious injuries are rare at obstacle course races like Tough Mudder. Only about 1 percent of participants are injured during obstacle course races, and most of the injuries are minor and only require first aid. Lead author of the study, Dr. Alana Hawley, of McMaster University in Hamilton, said "The health risks of participating in such obstacle courses are minimal, however, and are comparable to the injury risks at any mass gathering event." Most of those injured - 89 percent - in the study group of more than 45,000 people participating in eight mud runs returned to the event without needing any further medical care.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/obstacle-course-1.3778126 |title=Serious injuries rare at obstacle course races like Tough Mudder, study suggests |publisher=CBC|date=2016-09-25 |accessdate=2016-09-25}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-injuries-obstacle-courses-idUSKCN11T2K5 |title=Serious injuries rare at obstacle course races |publisher=Reuters|date=2016-09-23 |accessdate=2016-09-23}}</ref> |
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==Charity affiliations== |
==Charity affiliations== |
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===Team Rubicon=== |
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Tough Mudder donates to various charities that focus on support for veterans returning from the battlefield, including the [http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ Wounded Warrior Project] in the U.S., [http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/ Help for Heroes] in the U.K., and [http://www.legacy.com.au/Home Legacy] in Australia. During the company's first three years, Tough Mudder participants raised more than $5 million for the Wounded Warrior Project alone.<ref>{{cite news|title=What Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Olympic Athletes. And Vice Versa.|url=http://www.forbes.com/sites/naveenjain/2012/07/24/what-entrepreneurs-can-learn-from-olympic-athletes-and-vice-versa/|newspaper=Forbes}}</ref> |
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In June 2016, Tough Mudder named its new charity partner [[Team Rubicon]], the veteran first responder organization, TEAMRUBICONUSA.org.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.today.com/video/how-tough-mudder-team-rubicon-build-bonds-among-vets-and-first-responders-736615491784 |title=How Tough Mudder Team Rubicon Builds Bonds Among Vets and First Responders |publisher=Today}}</ref> |
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Tough Mudder also is partnered with [[Help for Heroes]] (in the United Kingdom), and Soldier On (in Australia).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.executivestyle.com.au/sheer-ballshrivelling-awfulness-why-do-mud-racers-do-it-gh50vc |title='Sheer ball-shrivelling awfulness': why do mud racers do it? |publisher=Executive Style |date=2015-05-20 |accessdate=2015-09-14}}</ref> |
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==World's Toughest Mudder== |
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[http://muddernation.com/profiles/blogs/wtm-2012-official-video World’s Toughest Mudder] is the final event of each Tough Mudder series calendar year. Different from traditional Tough Mudder events, World's Toughest Mudder is a 24-hour race for men, women, and four-person teams. Participants must qualify for the event by completing a regular Tough Mudder event during the year and submitting an application for entry. World's Toughest Mudder 2012 was held at Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ on November 17 and 18.<ref>{{cite news|title='World's Toughest Mudder' competition lets N.J. tough guys, stalwart women show their grit|url=http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/12/englishtown_worlds_toughest_mu.html|newspaper=New Jersey Star Ledger}}</ref> |
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In the United States, none of the revenue generated from Tough Mudder admissions sales goes directly to any charity.<ref>{{cite web|title=Where does the money go? - Mudder Nation|url=http://muddernation.com/forum/topics/where-does-the-money-go}}</ref> However, participants are incentivized by the Tough Mudder organization<ref>{{cite web|title=Wounded Warrior Project Tough Mudder Charity|url=https://toughmudder.com/wounded-warrior-project|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529183600/https://toughmudder.com/wounded-warrior-project|archive-date=May 29, 2014|df=mdy-all}}</ref> to raise money through their participation in a Tough Mudder event for donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. As of February 2014, Tough Mudder reports that their yearly revenue is approximately $75 million, and that participants have raised around $6.5 million total for the US Wounded Warrior Project since Tough Mudder's inception in 2010.<ref>{{cite news|title=Q & A with Carol Kruse, New Global CMO of Tough Mudder|url=http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/carol-kruse-named-global-cmo-tough-mudder/245412/|newspaper=Ad Age}}</ref> |
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==Television== |
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==Media commentary== |
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* [http://mycrains.crainsnewyork.com/40under40/ Forty under 40, Crain's New York, 2012] |
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* [http://vegasseven.com/feature/2012/07/26/best-fitness-trend Best Fitness Trend, Vegas Seven, 2012] |
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* [http://www.stevieawards.com/pubs/awards/403_2654_21617.cfm Maverick of the Year: Silver, American Business Awards (the Stevies), 2012] |
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* [http://travlete.com/2012/01/09/2011-best-adventure-series/ Best Adventure Series, Travlete, 2011] |
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* [http://toughmudder.com/about/ Tough Mudder About Page, 2013] |
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* [http://toughmudder.com/about/ Tough Mudder About Page, 2013] |
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* [http://www.austinfitmagazine.com/article/afms-best-of-2012 Best Adventure Race, Austin Fit Magazine, 2011] |
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* [http://www.forbes.com/need-to-know/need_to_know_lander.html Forbes 50 Names You Need To Know, Forbes, 2011] |
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* [http://travlete.com/2010/12/28/year-in-review Travlete Best Adventure Race, Travlete, 2010] |
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*[http://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=4779892 Still having fun slogging your 5k Run/Walks or are you ready for TOUGH MUDDER] |
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== |
===CBS Sports=== |
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In 2016, [[CBS Sports]] and Tough Mudder, Inc. announced a programming deal that will span across broadcast, cable and OTT/Streaming/OnDemand platforms that will offer an inside look at World's Toughest Mudder as competitors vie for a $100K prize.<ref>{{cite news|title=CBS Toughest Mudder Deal Digital|url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/cbs-toughest-mudder-deal-tv-digital-1201797005/|newspaper=Deadline}}</ref> |
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* [[Ironman Triathlon]] |
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* [[Marathons]] |
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* [[Triathlons]] |
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In December 2016, [[CBS Sports]] aired two shows - ''Road to the World's Toughest Mudder'', on December 15 on CBS Sports Network,<ref>{{cite news|title=World's Toughest Mudder Comes to Las Vegas|url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/world-s-toughest-mudder-comes-las-vegas-weekend|newspaper=Las Vegas Review Journal}}</ref> which provided a comprehensive look at Tough Mudder leading up to the 2016 World's Toughest Mudder event in Las Vegas. CBS televised ''World's Toughest Mudder'' on December 25, followed by a post-event roundtable show on CBS Sports Network that featured the top competitors from the 2016 event. |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|refs= |
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In 2017, CBS Sports Network will air coverage from each of the six-event "Toughest Mudder Series", going behind-the-scenes as teams train and compete in the new event. CBS Sports again will air on CBS the "2017 World's Toughest Mudder". CBS Sports Digital will feature live streaming coverage of Toughest Mudder events on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports apps for mobile and connected TV devices, along with on-demand video content available across CBS Sports digital and social platforms.<ref>{{cite news|title=CBS Tough Mudder CBS Sports|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/tough-mudder-cbs-sports-1201828133/|newspaper=Variety}}</ref> |
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<!--add refs here--> |
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In June 2017, CBS Sports and Tough Mudder expanded their partnership with a new programming deal for the new Tough Mudder X event. As part of the expansion, CBS Sports has moved all Tough Mudder programming to debut on the CBS with repeats to air on CBS Sports Network in primetime and on CBS' digital platforms. |
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}} |
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===The CW=== |
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In 2016, [[The CW]] and Tough Mudder, Inc. announced a six-part series, multi-platform programming deal to run on CW Seed (the CW's digital network/streaming platform) and The CW network in 2017.<ref name="Tough Mudder CW Network CW Seed">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder CW Network CW Seed|url=https://deadline.com/2016/10/tough-mudder-cw-network-cw-seed-1201841917/|newspaper=Deadline}}</ref> The docu-series focused on "everyday heroes" attempting to run and complete a Tough Mudder including their personal stories and training for the grueling obstacle course that tests teamwork skills, physical abilities and "mental grit.<ref name="variety.com">{{cite news|title=CW Orders Tough Mudder Unscripted Digital Series|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/cw-orders-tough-mudder-unscripted-digital-series-1201899339/|newspaper=Variety}}</ref> Episodes one through five entitled "The Challenge Within" debuted on CW Seed on Feb. 2, 2017. The hour-long finale featured the team tackling the course and was broadcast on The CW Network on Feb. 14, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=CW's Seed Will Showcase Tough Mudder|url=http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/287628/cws-seed-will-showcase-tough-mudder.html|newspaper=MediaPost}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=CW Goes Multi-Platform Tough Mudder|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/cw-goes-multi-platform-tough-mudder/408636|newspaper=MultiChannel News}}</ref> The five part series entitled "The Challenge Within" debuted on CW Seed on Feb. 2, 2017 with the hour-long finale airing The CW Network on Feb. 14, 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=TV News Roundup|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/tv-news-roundup-raquel-welch-food-network-cw-1201964134/|newspaper=Variety}}</ref><ref name="Deadline105">{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder, Tougher Mudder, Together Special on CW|url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/tough-mudder-tougher-together-special-cw-airdate-1202298759/|newspaper=Deadline}}</ref> In 2018, the CW ran a second, six part series entitled "Tough Mudder: Tougher Together." The first five episodes debuted on CW Seed on March 8, with the one-hour finale airing on the CW Network on March 15.<ref name="Deadline105"/> Flatbush Pictures and [[Judd Ehrlich]], the documentary team behind ''We Could Be King'', the 2014 [[Emmy Award]]-winner for Outstanding Sports Documentary and recipient of a [[Grand Clio]], served as executive producers of the series, along with Jesse Bull and Jennifer Nelson of Tough Mudder and independent documentary producer Carlin Cwik.<ref name="IMDB">{{cite news|title=IMDB Full Credits|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6475246/fullcredits/|newspaper=IMDB}}</ref><ref name="Tough Mudder CW Network CW Seed"/><ref name="variety.com"/><ref name="Deadline105"/> |
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===Sky Sports=== |
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[[Sky Sports]] and Tough Mudder announced in early January 2017 that on 24 January 2017 Sky Sports Mix would run Road to World's Toughest Mudder followed by coverage of the 2016 World's Toughest Mudder on 26 January 2017. In addition, Sky Sports Mix will also carry The Challenge Within later in the year.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder's Partnership with Sky Sports |url= http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/01/20/tough-mudders-partnership-with-sky-sports-wake-up-call-brands-move-mass|newspaper=The Drum}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Marketing and Sponsorship Tough Mudder |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Global/Issues/2017/01/23/Marketing-and-Sponsorship/Tough-Mudder-Sky.aspx|newspaper=Sports Business Daily}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=BAME Led TV Company too Produce Top Sky TV Show |url=http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/bame-led-tv-company-set-produce-top-sky-tv-show |newspaper=The Voice Online}}</ref> The partnership is Tough Mudder's first broadcast/video content partnership in the UK and includes content on across Sky Sports' apps for [[mobile devices]] and connected devices, as well as on skysports.com and across Sky's [[social media]] channels in January 2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=How Tough Mudder Went from Harvard Business to TV |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/how-tough-mudder-went-from-harvard-business-to-tv-show-on-sky-and-cbs-2017-1/|newspaper=Business Insider}}</ref> |
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===ESPN=== |
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[[ESPN]] media distribution was named Tough Mudder's international media distribution partner in March 2017 for all of Tough Mudder's global digital and linear broadcast rights (except for the UK and the US) to the brand's competitive event series and original video offerings. Programming includes World's Toughest Mudder, Toughest Mudder, The Challenge Within and Mission Mudder (see CBS Sports, CW, Sky Sports above).<ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Expands Sports Brand Internationally |url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/296638/tough-mudder-expands-sports-brand-internationally.html|newspaper=Media Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder ESPN Deal |url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/channel-4-national-treasure-robbie-coltrane-julie-walters-royal-television-society-nominations-tough-mudder-espn-deals-international-1202038298/ |newspaper=Deadline}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Tough Mudder Partners with ESPN's Rights Agency Division to Accelerate Global TV Deals |url=http://www.thedrum.com/news/2017/03/08/tough-mudder-partners-with-espns-rights-agency-division-accelerate-global-tv-deals|newspaper=The Drum}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Morning Buzz |url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Morning-Buzz/2017/03/07/tough-mudder.aspx|newspaper=Sports Business Daily}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Cynospsis 3/07/17 |url=http://www.cynopsis.com/030717-bt-sport-named-champions-nbc-continues-racing-run-espns-march-marathon/|newspaper=Sports Business Daily}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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* ''[[American Ninja Warrior]]'' (TV series) |
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* [[Battlefrog College Championship]] |
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* [[Rugged Maniac]] |
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* [[Spartan Race]] |
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* [[Tough Guy Competition]] |
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* [[Warrior Dash]] |
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==References== |
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{{reflist|30em}} |
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==External links== |
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[[Category:Endurance sports]] |
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* {{Official website|http://www.toughmudder.com/}} |
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[[Category:Running competitions]] |
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* [https://archive.today/20130412001950/http://www.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,2133931-1,00.html "Triathlons Are for Wimps"] on ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' |
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[[Category:Running]] |
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* [http://www.inc.com/magazine/201302/issie-lapowsky/the-way-i-work-will-dean-tough-mudder.html "The Way I Work: Will Dean, Tough Mudder"] on ''[[Inc. (magazine)|Inc.]]'' |
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* [http://mycrains.crainsnewyork.com/40under40/profiles/2012/will-dean Profile of Will Dean in ''Crain's New York Business'' "40 Under 40" feature] |
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* [http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/f92d57c4-1ded-11e2-8e1d-00144feabdc0.html "The start-up facing its own obstacle course"] on the ''[[Financial Times]]'' |
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* [http://obstacleracingmedia.com/organizer/tough-mudder/ "Tough Mudder Information"] |
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[[Category:2010 establishments in the United States]] |
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[[de:Tough Mudder]] |
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[[Category:Obstacle racing]] |
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Latest revision as of 07:16, 15 October 2024
 Official Tough Mudder logo | |
 A participant completes the Walk the Plank obstacle at the SoCal 2013 Tough Mudder event. | |
| Type | Mud run obstacle course race endurance events |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Brooklyn, NY |
| Website | |
Tough Mudder is an endurance event series in which participants attempt 10-to-12-mile-long (16 to 19 km)[1] obstacle courses. It was co-founded by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone.[2] The obstacles often play on common human fears, such as fire, water, electricity and heights.[3]
The first Tough Mudder challenge was held in the United States in 2010,[4] on a ski hill in Allentown, Pennsylvania.[5] As of 2016, more than three million people worldwide have participated in Tough Mudder events.[6]
In January 2020, the Tough Mudder was petitioned for involuntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy by creditors Valley Builders LLC, Trademarc Associates Inc. and David Watkins Homes Inc.[7][8]
Spartan Race acquired Tough Mudder, which had been forced into involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, in February 2020. Spartan Race purchased Tough Mudder assets for $700,000 and the assumption of debts, including honoring prepaid tickets, which was approved by the bankruptcy court for the District of Delaware.[9] As of January 2024, 19 Tough Mudder events were scheduled for the remainder of the year in the United States and Canada.[10]
History
[edit]
Tough Mudder was co-founded in 2010 by Will Dean and Guy Livingstone, both British subjects living in New York. Dean, a former British counter-terrorism officer, had developed the idea for the company while studying at Harvard Business School, where the concept was a semifinalist in the school's annual business plan competition.[2][11] It has been noted that Will Dean took the idea from Billy Wilson and his Tough Guy races staged in England since 1987.[12] Dean and Livingstone, a former corporate lawyer, held the first Tough Mudder event on May 2, 2010 at Bear Creek Mountain Resort near Allentown, Pennsylvania. Promoted exclusively through Facebook advertising and word of mouth, the event drew more than 4,500 participants.[2][11]
On May 2, 2013, Tough Mudder announced that it had reached one million total registrations since it started in 2010.[13] The company had more than 700,000 participants in 2013, with events in the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, and Germany.[14] The Mudderella, created in 2013, is a 5-7 mile long obstacle course series targeted toward women.[15]
In 2014 the company also expanded to Ireland and New Zealand,[14][16] with an 11-to-12-mile (18 to 20 km) military obstacle course in Auckland, NZ.
In 2015, Tough Mudder hosted more than 50 events in seven countries across three continents.[17]
In April 2016, Tough Mudder announced a partnership with international sports management company IMG to bring its events to Asia and the Middle East, beginning with China and United Arab Emirates in 2016. Tough Mudder also announced a partnership with media and technology investment firm Seroja Partners to host an event in Bali, Indonesia in October 2016.[18]
On October 1, 2016 in Jimbaran Hijau, Bali, Indonesia, Tough Mudder held its first event in Asia, drawing 1500 competitors from more than 37 countries including Indonesia, Singapore and Australia.[19] On December 9–10, 2016, up to 5,000 participated in Tough Mudder's first event in the Middle East that took place at the Hamdan Sports Complex.[20][21] Tough Mudder CEO Will Dean revealed that the company will seek to launch a chain of fitness boutiques in the United States in 2017 to expand the brand beyond Obstacle Course Racing events.[22]
In March 2017, Tough Mudder announced it was continuing its international expansion to New Zealand with Sports Media and Entertainment 360 (SME360) as the official licensee of Tough Mudder events in that country. The first event will held on November 4–5, 2017 at Hampton Downs Motorsport Park. Tough Mudder expanded its 2016 partnership deal with IMG to include Australia for 2017 and 2018 seasons, adding to events already slated in China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates.[23][24][25]
In December 2019, Joe Desena of Spartan Race stated he had options on Canadian and German Tough Mudder events via an interview on Obstacle Racing Media. Joe also indicated Spartan was trying to acquire the entire Tough Mudder brand. Tough Mudder shut down all online registration in December 2019, and co-founder Will Dean stated it was because of a dispute with its online registration partner Active (debts, lawsuit). Obstacle Racing Media posted on December 31, 2019 that Tough Mudder Canada filed for bankruptcy.
Event types
[edit]
Tough Mudder Classic
[edit]The typical Tough Mudder Classic course is 8–10 miles long and features 25 obstacles. Terrain type varies from course to course; natural features of the land at each venue are incorporated into the course design.[26] Past venues have included ranches, motocross tracks, and ski resorts.[27]
The list of obstacles also varies from course to course, though there are several "signature" obstacles at almost every event,[28] including:
- Arctic Enema – Participants plunge into a dumpster filled with ice water, dunk underneath a plank that crosses the dumpster, and pull themselves out on other side.[29]
- Electroshock Therapy – Live wires hang over a field of mud which participants must traverse.[30]
- Funky Monkey – A set of incline and decline monkey bars over a pit of cold water. The bars are slicked with a mixture of butter and mud.[31]
- Everest – Participants run up a quarter pipe slicked with mud and grease.
Tough Mudder 5K
[edit]At 5 kilometres long, Tough Mudder Half events are just under half the distance of a typical Tough Mudder challenge. The courses feature signature Tough Mudder obstacles including Block Ness Monster, Kiss of Mud, and Everest; however, they do not include any obstacles with fire, ice, or electric shocks.[32]
Tougher Mudder
[edit]Tougher Mudder, a timed, competitive start wave at the beginning of Tough Mudder events that will be held at select venues with prize money to the top 3 finishers. The OCR World Championships team confirmed that Tougher Mudder will be a qualifier for the OCR World Championships.[33]
In September 2017, Tough Mudder announced that it was launching the $50,000 Tougher Mudder Championship Race Series, which was streamed live on Facebook Watch (see below under Facebook Watch).[34] The series kicked off on Oct. 7 at Tougher Tri-State in Englishtown, New Jersey, and culminated with the Championship on Nov. 4 in Lake Elsinore, California.[35] The race featured some of the world's top extreme athletes, functional fitness athletes and endurance runners as they tackled 20 plus obstacles on a 10-mile course. .[36]
Tough Mudder 5K Urban
[edit]Tough Mudder 5K is 3.1 miles or 5K in length. Tough Mudder announced in October 2017, that it will be bringing the 5K to London, Manchester, and Edinburgh in the Summer of 2018 and will offer an "Up-Late" special Friday Evening 5K event as a way for people to kick off their weekends.[37][38] Tough Mudder expanded its 5K event to more than 25 cities in the US and more than five countries globally including Germany, Canada, and Oman in 2018.[39][40] The 5K features 10 obstacles. Tough Mudder held its first 5K in the UK on March 23, 2018 in Stratford. Soap Opera actress Jorgie Porter ran the event.[41][42][43][44]
Toughest Mudder
[edit]In 2016, Tough Mudder, Inc. announced it will debut a new series, Toughest Mudder, in 2017.[45] The series will be six events held in the US, UK and Canada. Each will be eight hours in length, that will lead into the entry into the "Contender Category" for World's Toughest Mudder 2017.
Tough Mudder X
[edit]Tough Mudder X is a mix of Tough Mudder, strength-based Cross-Fit exercises and road racing to determine "Fittest, Fastest Athletes in the World". The event has 200 selected athletes (one must apply to be considered for the event) competing in heats of 12 on a one-mile course that includes 10 Tough Mudder obstacles and 10 "Functional Fitness Workout Zones" with such exercises as pull-ups, box jumps, and wall balls. All obstacles and workout zones must be finished. The top 24 male and female finishers of preliminary heats move on to the finals. Winning purse is $50,000—the men's and women's winners each take home $25,000. This new event aired on CBS (see below under CBS Sports) in August and September in 2017.[46][47][48][49] In 2018, the qualifier and open competitions took place Sunday, March 25, in Sacramento, California; and Sunday, April 8, in Miami, with the finale to be held in Richmond, Virginia, on Friday, June 8.[50]
Mini Mudder
[edit]In 2015, Tough Mudder debuted Fruit Shoot Mini Mudder, an obstacle course challenge for children.[51][52] Mini Mudder events are designed for children aged five to twelve (as of 2019), and are about a mile long, including of four laps of a loop that has 10 obstacles.[53]
Urban Mudder
[edit]The five-mile course featured obstacles including "Rock and a Hard Place" and "Rooftop Series"; the event also featured a live DJ, festival area, and beer garden.[54]
World's Toughest Mudder
[edit]
The competition consists of a 5-mile (8.0 km) looped course, which participants continuously run through for 24 hours. The participant who completes the most laps is declared the winner. The winners receive the title of "World's Toughest Mudder" and a $10,000 prize for the winning solo male and female and a $12,000 prize for the winning team.[55]
World's Toughest Mudder was first held in 2011 at Raceway Park in New Jersey. The team competition was introduced in 2012; a team from Pennsylvania calling themselves "Nine Inch Males" took first place. There were over 1,200 competitors in 2012.[56]
World's Toughest Mudder in 2014 was held at Lake Las Vegas in Nevada and was a 5-mile course with obstacles such as a 35-foot drop into a lake during the day and swimming 300 yards while keeping a torch lit at night. Top finishers in 2014 were Ryan Atkins (19 laps, 95 miles, male solo), Amelia Boone (15 laps, 75 miles, female solo), and Team Wolf Pack (15 laps, 75 miles, team).
In 2016, about 1500 competitors from around the world converged on Lake Las Vegas for the third year in a row to compete in the World's Toughest Mudder. New to the 6th annual running of the event was a $100K bonus prize for the first team to pass the 100-mile mark. In addition, all three men's finalists surpassed the 100-mile mark (another event milestone) with first place going to Trevor Cichosz who also completed 105 miles. Stefanie Bishop, who signed up for the event at the last minute, took the Women's lead early and never lost it, taking the Women's crown by completing 85 miles.[33][57] In 2017, Ryan Atkins and Rea Kolbl captured the World's Toughest Mudder titles for Men and Women.[58]
World's Toughest Mudder results
[edit]- 2014 results
- Men
- Ryan Atkins – 95 miles – 23:30:46
- Jarrod Pace – 95 miles – 25:47:15
- Trevor Cichosz – 90 miles – 24:14:07
- Women
- Amelia Boone – 75 miles – 24:57:52
- Allison Tai – 70 miles – 25:34:48
- Fraya Bartuska – 65 miles – 23:55:46
- 2015 results
- Men
- Chad Trammell – 95 miles – 24:00:10
- Trevor Cichosz – 95 miles – 24:17:34
- Brad Carron-Arthur – 90 miles – 24:35:02
- Women
- Amelia Boone – 75 miles – 24:10:17
- Sara Knight – 70 miles – 24:40:02
- Deanna Blegg – 70 miles – 25:08:11
- 2016 results
- Men
- Trevor Cichosz - 105 miles - 24:00:15
- Austin Azar - 100 miles - 22:43:51
- Kristopher Mendoza - 100 miles - 24:45:17
- Women
- Stefanie Bishop - 85 miles - 25:05:52
- Susanne Kraus - 80 miles - 24:02:13
- Morgan McKay - 80 miles - 24:08:53
- Team
- Team Goat Tough - 105 miles - 24:02:48
- Team America - 100 miles - 24:52:20
- Team Mayhem - 90 miles - 24:26:35
- 2017 results
- Men
- Ryan Atkins - 110 miles - 22 Laps
- Robert Kilian - 105 miles - 21 Laps
- Trevor Cichosz - 95 miles - 19 Laps
- Women
- Rea Kolbl - 90 miles - 18 Laps
- Allison Tai - 85 miles - 17 Laps
- Michelle Ford - 80 miles - 16 Laps
- Team
- 3 Guys and a Spartan - 120 miles - 24 Laps
- North America GOAT Tough - 120 miles - 24 Laps
- Germany - 110 miles - 22 Laps
All-Time World's Toughest Mudder Winners
[edit]Men
[edit]- 2023: Austin Azar (105 miles)
- 2022: DJ Fox (105 miles)
- 2021: Mark Batres (115 miles)
- 2019: Trevor Cichosz (105 miles)[59]
- 2018: Kristopher Mendoza (100 miles)
- 2017: Ryan Atkins (110 miles)
- 2016: Trevor Cichosz (105 miles)
- 2015: Chad Trammell (95 miles)
- 2014: Ryan Atkins (95 miles)
- 2013: Ryan Atkins (100 miles)
- 2012: Junyong Pak (95 miles)
- 2011: Junyong Pak (56 miles)
Women
[edit]- 2023: Kris Rugloski (90 miles)
- 2022: Kris Rugloski (100 miles)
- 2021: Katie Knight (90 miles)
- 2019: Morgan McKay (80 miles)[59]
- 2018: Rea Kolbl (75 miles)
- 2017: Rea Kolbl (90 miles)
- 2016: Stefanie Bishop (85 miles)
- 2015: Amelia Boone (75 miles)
- 2014: Amelia Boone (75 miles)
- 2013: Deanna Blegg (85 miles)
- 2012: Amelia Boone (90 miles)
- 2011: Juliana Sproles (48 miles)
Teams
[edit]- 2023: D-Fit Black (90 miles)
- 2022: USOCR Midwest (95 miles)
- 2021: Two Lokos (125 miles)
- 2019: Muddy Canucks (105 miles)[59]
- 2019: German Toughest Mudders (85 miles)[59]
- 2018: Lindsay's Angels (80 miles)
- 2018: Team Atomik (75 miles)
- 2017: Fitone Gettingtough (85 miles)
- 2017: Team United States (120 miles
- 2016: Team Goat Tough (105 miles)
- 2015: Synergy Sports (80 miles)
- 2014: Wolfpack Spartan (75 miles)
- 2013: 3AM Waterfalls (80 miles)
- 2012: Nine Inch Males (60 miles)
Tough Mudder Bootcamp
[edit]In May 2017, Tough Mudder launched a studio fitness brand extension, Tough Mudder Bootcamp. The first two franchises, in Las Vegas and Burlington, Massachusetts, opened in April 2018.[60][61] Franchises cost $50,000 with total startup cost ranging from $200K to $300K.[62] Ten franchises have been sold and more than 65 have been reserved across the USA.[63] The Bootcamps provide 45-minute HIIT classes for up to 24 participants each and are designed to be done with a partner. Classes are instructor-led with assistance from a proprietary technology platform that guides participants through each class station.[64]
Mudder Legion
[edit]A person who successfully finishes a Tough Mudder event is deemed a "Legionnaire," Tough Mudder collectively calls all its finishers the "Mudder Legion".[65] Each finisher receives a headband for completing a Tough Mudder.[66] Tough Mudder created a handcrafted steel headband for the first legionnaire, Jim Campbell, who completed 100 Tough Mudders.[67] [68]
Innovation
[edit]In 2012, Tough Mudder founded an off-site "Obstacle Innovation Lab" in New Jersey, where the company designs and tests new obstacles.[69]
In January 2015, Tough Mudder announced "Tough Mudder Redefined," an initiative to revamp its courses by adding many new obstacles and updating the remaining ones.[70][71][72][73][74][75]
In January 2016, Tough Mudder unveiled several new obstacles for 2016, including Block Ness Monster, a series of rotating blocks floating in waist-deep water, designed to require teamwork to conquer.[76][77] This obstacle received the highest participant rating of any obstacle in Tough Mudder history while in testing.[78] Tough Mudder also revealed three new obstacles for 2016 that are exclusive to participants who have completed more than one Tough Mudder event: Backstabber, an inclined wall ascent using pegs; Rain Main, a watery passage underneath a chain-link fence while water drips down; and Frequent Flyers' Club, a jump from a height onto a crash mat.[79]
Tough Mudder introduced six new obstacles for 2017 season in November 2016. Obstacles include: Augustus Gloop, ascend up a vertical tube with water gushing down; Funky Monkey: The Revolution – an update on the original obstacle with series of revolving wheels to be traversed dangling over water; Arctic Enema: The Rebirth – another update on a classic – slide head first down a tube into icy water and submerge again under a wall to escape; Black Hole – an update on the original Birth Canal obstacle – one must crawl their way through a gauntlet of 100 lb. water-filled barriers in total darkness; The Reach Around – 20 foot wall that one must then go beyond vertical to scale over; and Kong – 30 foot high obstacle that participants swing from ring to ring at increasing further distant like Tarzan.[80][81]
In January 2018, Tough Mudder introduced its new obstacles for the year which include Kong Infinity and Happy Ending.[82][83]
Safety
[edit]At the April 20, 2013 Tough Mudder Mid-Atlantic event in Gerrardstown, West Virginia, 28-year-old participant Avishek Sengupta died following an incident on the "Walk the Plank" obstacle.[84][85] Witnesses told the Berkeley County sheriff's office, which investigated the death, that he was submerged in water for between five and 15 minutes. A coroner ruled the death an accidental drowning and the sheriff's office concluded it did not warrant criminal charges.[86][87] This was the first fatality in Tough Mudder's history.[86][88]
In 2014, The Atlantic reported on an incident at an October 2012 Tough Mudder event in Beatty, Nevada. There, three military personnel were admitted to the Nellis Air Force Base medical center with vomiting and bloody diarrhea. All had fallen face-first in mud on the Tough Mudder course on a nearby cattle ranch a week before. Subsequent investigations linked 22 cases "most likely caused by infection with the fecally transmitted bacterium Campylobacter coli," possibly from water contaminated by livestock.[89]
Statements released by Tough Mudder since the incident have discussed the company's commitment to safety,[90] and Tough Mudder CEO Will Dean has stated that Tough Mudder events are about 20 times safer than triathlons.[91]
According to study by Canadian researchers and published in the Emergency Medicine Journal in 2016,[92] serious injuries are rare at obstacle course races like Tough Mudder. Only about 1 percent of participants are injured during obstacle course races, and most of the injuries are minor and only require first aid. Lead author of the study, Dr. Alana Hawley, of McMaster University in Hamilton, said "The health risks of participating in such obstacle courses are minimal, however, and are comparable to the injury risks at any mass gathering event." Most of those injured - 89 percent - in the study group of more than 45,000 people participating in eight mud runs returned to the event without needing any further medical care.[93][94]
Charity affiliations
[edit]Team Rubicon
[edit]In June 2016, Tough Mudder named its new charity partner Team Rubicon, the veteran first responder organization, TEAMRUBICONUSA.org.[95]
Tough Mudder also is partnered with Help for Heroes (in the United Kingdom), and Soldier On (in Australia).[96]
In the United States, none of the revenue generated from Tough Mudder admissions sales goes directly to any charity.[97] However, participants are incentivized by the Tough Mudder organization[98] to raise money through their participation in a Tough Mudder event for donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. As of February 2014, Tough Mudder reports that their yearly revenue is approximately $75 million, and that participants have raised around $6.5 million total for the US Wounded Warrior Project since Tough Mudder's inception in 2010.[99]
Television
[edit]CBS Sports
[edit]In 2016, CBS Sports and Tough Mudder, Inc. announced a programming deal that will span across broadcast, cable and OTT/Streaming/OnDemand platforms that will offer an inside look at World's Toughest Mudder as competitors vie for a $100K prize.[100]
In December 2016, CBS Sports aired two shows - Road to the World's Toughest Mudder, on December 15 on CBS Sports Network,[101] which provided a comprehensive look at Tough Mudder leading up to the 2016 World's Toughest Mudder event in Las Vegas. CBS televised World's Toughest Mudder on December 25, followed by a post-event roundtable show on CBS Sports Network that featured the top competitors from the 2016 event.
In 2017, CBS Sports Network will air coverage from each of the six-event "Toughest Mudder Series", going behind-the-scenes as teams train and compete in the new event. CBS Sports again will air on CBS the "2017 World's Toughest Mudder". CBS Sports Digital will feature live streaming coverage of Toughest Mudder events on CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports apps for mobile and connected TV devices, along with on-demand video content available across CBS Sports digital and social platforms.[102]
In June 2017, CBS Sports and Tough Mudder expanded their partnership with a new programming deal for the new Tough Mudder X event. As part of the expansion, CBS Sports has moved all Tough Mudder programming to debut on the CBS with repeats to air on CBS Sports Network in primetime and on CBS' digital platforms.
The CW
[edit]In 2016, The CW and Tough Mudder, Inc. announced a six-part series, multi-platform programming deal to run on CW Seed (the CW's digital network/streaming platform) and The CW network in 2017.[103] The docu-series focused on "everyday heroes" attempting to run and complete a Tough Mudder including their personal stories and training for the grueling obstacle course that tests teamwork skills, physical abilities and "mental grit.[104] Episodes one through five entitled "The Challenge Within" debuted on CW Seed on Feb. 2, 2017. The hour-long finale featured the team tackling the course and was broadcast on The CW Network on Feb. 14, 2017.[105][106] The five part series entitled "The Challenge Within" debuted on CW Seed on Feb. 2, 2017 with the hour-long finale airing The CW Network on Feb. 14, 2017.[107][108] In 2018, the CW ran a second, six part series entitled "Tough Mudder: Tougher Together." The first five episodes debuted on CW Seed on March 8, with the one-hour finale airing on the CW Network on March 15.[108] Flatbush Pictures and Judd Ehrlich, the documentary team behind We Could Be King, the 2014 Emmy Award-winner for Outstanding Sports Documentary and recipient of a Grand Clio, served as executive producers of the series, along with Jesse Bull and Jennifer Nelson of Tough Mudder and independent documentary producer Carlin Cwik.[109][103][104][108]
Sky Sports
[edit]Sky Sports and Tough Mudder announced in early January 2017 that on 24 January 2017 Sky Sports Mix would run Road to World's Toughest Mudder followed by coverage of the 2016 World's Toughest Mudder on 26 January 2017. In addition, Sky Sports Mix will also carry The Challenge Within later in the year.[110][111][112] The partnership is Tough Mudder's first broadcast/video content partnership in the UK and includes content on across Sky Sports' apps for mobile devices and connected devices, as well as on skysports.com and across Sky's social media channels in January 2017.[113]
ESPN
[edit]ESPN media distribution was named Tough Mudder's international media distribution partner in March 2017 for all of Tough Mudder's global digital and linear broadcast rights (except for the UK and the US) to the brand's competitive event series and original video offerings. Programming includes World's Toughest Mudder, Toughest Mudder, The Challenge Within and Mission Mudder (see CBS Sports, CW, Sky Sports above).[114][115][116][117][118]
See also
[edit]- American Ninja Warrior (TV series)
- Battlefrog College Championship
- Rugged Maniac
- Spartan Race
- Tough Guy Competition
- Warrior Dash
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External links
[edit]