Tough Guy

Year of the Great War Horse

Now in its 27th year, the Tough Guy Challenge has been widely described as "the toughest race in the world", this gruelling marathon, come obstacle course, zig-zags across a 600 acre farm in rural Staffordshire, England. Tough Guy is the brain child of former battalion barber and Grenadier Guard; Billy Wilson, who, on a day-to-day basis, now runs the farm as a horse sanctuary.

Nonetheless, on the last Sunday of January, often in freezing winter conditions (this year it never stopped raining), around 5000 runners attempt to finish the 12 kilometre course, which features 25 obstacles, including a slalom run (up and down a hill), ditches, jumps, freezing water pools and blazing fire pits!

The organisers claim the risks involve; barbed wire, cuts, scrapes, burns, dehydration, hypothermia, acrophobia, claustrophobia, electric shocks, sprains, twists, joint dislocation and broken bones - and that's just what us photographers can expect! God help the runners!

Although the course is adjusted each year, its main features are: Stalag Escape, Death Plunge, Battle of the Somme and Dead Leg Swamp.

Entry fees start low, but increase every time 300 people sign up. Entrants must sign their own "death warrant", which acknowledges the risks and dangers involved. Yes, fatalities have been known. Despite all this the event regularly attracts fields of up to 5,000 competitors from all around the world.

Despite the windy and wet conditions Sundays event went well and I even managed to get several good images. The miserable weather kept a lot of spectators away (and a few photographers too), but those who made it had a great time.

My Names Not Susan, but thanks for stopping by.