Fitness
8 obstacle and endurance events you'll want to do with your mates
Whatever your level, you can bet there's a challenge involving mud, fire, hills, rivers, swings and pain aplenty with your name on.
If you’re going to challenge yourself, do it properly. A 10K is fine, yes, but how about 10 miles of fire and water and hills and rope swings? Sounds like hell, right? Well, maybe it’s only by braving the fires of hell that we become stronger, fitter, faster. And the Instagram pictures will look cool, too.
With that in mind, here are the best UK obstacle races you can take part in - whatever your ability.
01
Beginner
The Mighty Deerstalker
Located in the Scottish borders, the chief obstacle in the UK’s biggest night race is the fact that it takes place after the sun has gone down, which can transform even an ordinary slog into an extra-sensory experience. Thankfully, this is no ordinary slog, though. You’ll cross rivers, navigate forests and scale a mountain (or two) in the chill of a March night. The full length is a punishing 10km, but there’s an option to duck out halfway through. Although that first sip in the beer tent won’t seem half as rewarding if you’ve not ran the whole distance.
Next race: 6 July 2024
Tough Mudder 5K
Yes, it’s only 5K, but we’re not talking about a stroll to the shop here. Far from it. With 10+ obstacles including climbs, jumps, swings, sprints and trying not to cry, this is the best way to ease yourself in to the world of enduring pain for fun. Events take place from March, in London, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh. And did we mention there’s also street food and craft beer to help you recuperate afterwards?
Next race: Pippingford Park, 6-7 April 2024
02
Intermediate
Tough Guy
Think you're tough, huh? Well this 12km race will put any tough guy (or gal) through their paces. You’ll race alongside 2,500 participants through the Wolverhampton countryside and under it too, through tunnels of mud and water. There are also obstacles to climb, ropes to swing on, and hills to clamber up. Essentially, it’s one large play area. And you can even sign up with your mates and get a discount.
Next race: 21 January 2024
Mud Monster Run
Let’s face it: obstacle races are all about mud, and the Mud Monster Challenge packs in plenty of that. With 5km, 10km, and 20km races available, this award-winning race takes you across bogs, up steep hills, through freezing rivers and generally through more sludge than you can shake a crusty shoe at. The event takes place a few times per year in West Sussex. There are 130+ obstacles all in all on the largest race, but try not to let that distract you from the beautiful woodland surroundings.
Next race: 22 June 2024
The Dirty Devil Stampede
Taking place in January, this relatively new winter race will again test all levels with 5km, 10km and 15km runs around Bovington Camp – the only tank training ground in the country. There are no man-made obstacles here, only those made by tanks. Expect it to get hot, gritty and muddy as you race through tank tire tracks and craters and over hills, sand pits and through freezing water.
Next race: Portland Coastal Marathon 2024, 11 February 2024
03
Seasoned pro
Europe's toughest Mudder
Billed as “probably the toughest event on the planet”, the full-length course is designed to test your physical strength, stamina, and mental grit over 10-12 miles at locations across the country. The event is renowned for its innovative obstacle set-up, with 20+ world class obstacles, over 500,000 litres of mud and 40 tonnes of ice. Cross the finishing line and you’ll receive a new sense of your place in the world (and a T-shirt and headband). Toughmudder.co.uk
Next race: Broughton, Skipton, 27 July 2024
The Nuts Challenge
Sure to send even a seasoned ultra athlete's legs aquiver, this military-themed course in Surrey packs in over 100 obstacles per 7km lap. You’ll crawl under obstacles, scale river banks, shimmy across ropes, climb cargo nets and more. For those looking for a bigger challenge, you can add laps to make it 14km, 21km or 28km. Sadly, there’s no drill sergeant to yell encouragement – you’ll have to summon that within.
Summer Nuts: 7 September 2024
Winter Nuts: 2 March 2024
Spartan Race
With three difficulty classes from “sprint” to “super” to “beast”, the Spartan race is the ideal place to get competitive with obstacle events. Taking place across the south of England and in Ireland, the first asks you to navigate 20 obstacles over 5km, the second ups the ante to 25 obstacles over 13km, while the third throws 30 obstacles at you over a half marathon-plus distance. But if all of that sounds like a walk in a park, you can sign up for one of the ultra-endurance races, including the Ultra Beast (41+km, 60+ obstacles) and the Hurricane Heat 12 Hour (12 hours of physically and mentally draining work), or the Agoge, a 60-hour event that might just flatten your resolve.
Next race: 11 May 2024, London West Spartan Trifecta Weekend 2024