Fitness
The first challenge, get yourself over the Irish Sea, second, take on some mud, fire, hills, rivers, swings and pain aplenty with your name on.
If you’re going to challenge yourself in 2021, 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. Better still, you get a good Instagram and a great holiday out of it.
With that in mind, here are the best UK obstacle races you can take part this year, whatever your ability.
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. Ratrace.com
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 street food and craft beer to help you recuperate afterwards? Toughmudder.co.uk
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. Toughguy.co.uk
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. Mudmonstersrun.co.uk
The Dirty Devil Stampede
Taking place in January, this relatively new winter race will celebrate its fourth year 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. Bustinskin.com
Badass Mucker
These 5km and 12km events take place in Nether Kellet, Lancaster. You’ll tackle 40+ obstacles including ice cold water sections, waist-deep mud and sprint sections. The course is a figure of eight, meaning those who don’t fancy completing the whole thing can (shamefully) duck out around the 6km. Don’t let it be you. Badassmucker.com
Seasoned pro
Tough 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
The Nuts Challenge
Voted “Toughest Obstacle Course” two years running, this military-themed course 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. Thenutschallenge.co.uk
Spartan Race
With three difficulty classes from “sprint” to “super” to “beast”, the Spartan race is the ideal place to get competitive in 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. Spartanrace.uk
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