Funky Monkey. Sweati Yeti. Ball Shrinker. Death March. The only thing more impressive than the names of the obstacles in the Tough Mudder racing series are the number of athletes willing to subject themselves to their torture: 180,000 this year alone. “We bill ourselves as Ironman meets Burning Man,” says Tough Mudder founder Will Dean, a former counterterrorism officer in the UK. “Endurance sports don’t have to be boring.” Indeed, in the past five years, adventure races and their old-school endurance cousins, marathons and triathlons, have morphed into amenity-laced parties. There are pre-race meals at Tavern on the Green (New York City Marathon), in-race live music (Austin Triathlon), and post-race parties with barbecue feasts and knife-throwing contests (Warrior Dash). And the best reason to sign up? They’ll break you out of your fitness rut in a way that Crossfit, P90X, and Zumba never will. Just take our crash course in each discipline, then select an event from our list of favorites. Suffering shouldn’t be this much fun.
As painful as it is popular: Tough Mudder's Kiss of Mud. Photographer: Dmitry Gudkov
Comments
The AuSable River Canoe Marathon? http://www.greatlakesguru.com/2011/07/no-sleep-til-oscoda-following-ausable.html
Flag ThisI am disappointed in Outside's use of the term Adventure Race to describe events like the Tough Mudder, Warrior Dash, etc. To me they are obstacle courses with beer at the end. Not to take anything away from them because I know they are challenging and fun, but to me they are NOT adventure races. In the article on page 82 of the current issue titled "Adventure Races..." there isn't one mention of a TRUE adventure race...like the Odyssey Endorphin Fix, or Untamed New England, or American Adventure Sports Lionheart, or Expedition Idaho. I think even Mark Burnett would be disappointed that races like Tough Mudder have the same label as his Eco Challenge.
Flag ThisAndy Bacon sums it up perfectlyBut po
Flag ThisI agree with Andy and Charlie. The races depicted in this article are in no way equivalent in nature or required disciplne as a TRUE adventure race.
Flag ThisI agree with Andy and Charlie. The races depicted in this article are in no way equivalent in nature or required disciplne as a TRUE adventure race.
Flag ThisI think we can all agree the aforementioned races are not as challenging as the say the “Eco-Challenge”, however, as someone who has not only competed in and completed the Metro Dash, Warrior Dash, Tough Mudder, Spartan Race and others, I would say that you are comparing apples to oranges. For the everyday weekend warrior, who can’t take extended time off of work to compete in an “Eco-Challenge” I think calling the events listed in this article, adventure races, is appropriate.
Flag ThisI think we can all agree the aforementioned races are not as challenging as the say the “Eco-Challenge”, however, as someone who has not only competed in and completed the Metro Dash, Warrior Dash, Tough Mudder, Spartan Race and others, I would say that you are comparing apples to oranges. For the everyday weekend warrior, who can’t take extended time off of work to compete in an “Eco-Challenge” I think calling the events listed in this article, adventure races, is appropriate.
Flag Thisyeh those are definetely two completely different kinds of races. rough nature hike, or a race that pits individuals at there maximum physical output for a specific period of time to see whos a man
Flag Thisyeh those are definetely two completely different kinds of races. rough nature hike, or a race that pits individuals at there maximum physical output for a specific period of time to see whos a man
Flag ThisI definately don't like the term "adventure races" being used to describe obstacle courses. A true adventure race should have orienteering or at least map reading. Although the Eco-Challenge is very time consuming there are numerous 4-8 hour adventure races around.
Flag ThisI definately don't like the term "adventure races" being used to describe obstacle courses. A true adventure race should have orienteering or at least map reading. Although the Eco-Challenge is very time consuming there are numerous 4-8 hour adventure races around.
Flag ThisAgreed... They are a weekend warrior race.. And as a IRONMAN.. These so called adventure races are walk in the park.. And NO WAY should be compared to an IRONMAN.. I assure you when I finish 140.6 miles there is not a kegger not to mention I'm not finishing an IRONMAN. In 2 hrs .. They should compare these races to a half marathon on dirt
Flag ThisHaving done some single day adventure races composed of mountain biking, orienteering and boating, as well as the events like Tough Mudder and Warrior Dash...the appropriate name for latter is the much more casual "mud run." It takes no skill or talent, and not even any particularly advanced level of physical fitness.
Flag ThisAdventure racing is pretty much defined world wide as off road orienteering usually involving trail running, mountain biking and kayaking. It doesn't help the promotion of adventure racing to confuse the term with mud runs and obstacle courses.
Flag This"Outside" hasn't mentioned the (Australian) Brooklyn to Sydney 100 mile cross-country run... One of its highlights is the fact that no US Navy SEAL teams have managed yet to complete this race, despite having started several times over the years.. Last heard from , the Search&Rescue parties were still out looking for them !
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