It is the World’s Toughest Mudder: the 24-hour obstacle race that is the culmination of the Tough Mudder season and the only true competition on the company’s schedule. This year, it’s coming to Las Vegas.
A World's Toughest Mudder 2013 competitor swings through the night.
On November 15, 2014, the grueling, daylong event will set up at Lake Las Vegas in Henderson (where Tough Mudder held its 2014 Vegas race), challenging men, women and team competitors to complete as many laps as they can in 24 hours on a tough, 5-mile course that includes rolling hills, lake swims and of course, 20-25 Tough Mudder obstacles.
Like all Tough Mudders, the obstacles will require racers to help each other; unlike other Tough Mudders—which are billed as challenges, not races—this is a competition. Winners will be named and cash prizes awarded, with $10,000 going to the first-place men and women.
What will it take to own that top spot? Last year’s women’s winner, Deanna Blegg, finished 17 laps (85 miles) in a time of 24:58:23. Men’s winner Ryan Atkins completed 20 laps (or 100 miles) in 23:02:41, setting a new WTM record.
As the Tough Mudder website warns, “Only those who are in top physical condition, maintain (or are willing to initiate) a regular workout regime—and most all, who have completed multiple Tough Mudders or events of comparable difficulty—should even consider registering.” (The site goes on to suggest that if you’re not willing show up as the “best version of yourself,” you might want to spend the $375-$500 entry fee at Bed Bath & Beyond instead.)
If you think 24 hours of running, crawling through mud and climbing over and under various obstacles with limited rest sounds like a good time, registration is open now. And training? Well, your competition has already started.
