When was the last time you did something for the first time? 

New Tough Mudder Challenges are here. While many of you are gearing up and calling your crew, some of you may be wondering what exactly you’re committing to when you sign up for a Tough Mudder Challenge. 

Just like a Tough Mudder Classic or 5K, Tough Mudder Challenges are designed to push you physically and mentally, bring you together with other teammates, and hold you accountable to being the best version of yourself. 

When you sign up for a Tough Mudder Challenge, you are committing to three weeks of physical activities that will challenge your strength, endurance, and mental grit. 

What Will The Challenges Involve? 

When you sign up, you will receive information about the first 4 challenges. These are all mandatory activities that you will complete over the course of three weeks, with the option to level up (if you like a little extra burn). 

Then, each week, you will receive 4 more activities, 2 of which you choose to complete. This means that over the course of three weeks, you will complete 10 physical and mental challenges to earn that shiny new headband, a 10th anniversary headband, finisher tee, and a new challenges coin. 

What Do Participants Need?

While each challenge is created to require little to no equipment, it helps to have a few of the things listed below:

A Tracking App:

Tough Mudder Challenges are designed with FitRankings and pair well with most fitness trackers. Whether you use an Apple Watch, Fitbit, Galaxy Fit, Strava, or others, it’s important to track your progress, especially if you want that finisher headband. Each piece of the challenge comes with certain distance requirements so having a way to track your progress is key. 

Accountability:

While you don’t need a team to complete this challenge, it helps to have a friend or buddy to check in on your progress. We all have days we don’t want to push through the workout, but having somebody to check in on you will always make it a little easier. Join the Challenges group on Facebook, post your progress, and stay motivated for the length of this challenge. Or sign up with a friend and get tougher together.  

A Little Creativity:

Unlike other virtual races we’ve seen popping up recently, Tough Mudder Challenges take a different approach. Rather than simply running and tracking your miles, Tough Mudder Challenges poses activities that will push your mental and physical grit. They will push your endurance and even require your problem-solving skills. 

Each week in your inbox, you will find a new set of activities that are designed to push you in unique ways that are fun, engaging, and just a little bit sadistic. 

You might also want to stock your fridge with hot sauce, but more on that later. 

Happy Challenges, team. If you have not yet accepted your challenge, click “challenge accepted” below and make today the day you commit to trying something new.

We Are Tougher Together, Even While Apart.  

Mudder Nation, we miss seeing your beautiful, shining faces covered in mud. While we can’t be together right now on course, that doesn’t mean we can’t come together virtually to challenge ourselves. On June 6, we will be hosting a Tougher Together virtual challenge event that utilizes creativity, community, and connection. Register here.

What Is Tougher Together? 

Tougher Together is a 3 hour live event happening on Saturday June 6, from 1pm EST to 4PM EST. We’ll move through a series of home obstacle challenges, running, music, prizes, and fun. Make sure to sign up for Strava in advance so you can track your run and see how you match up against others. 

Who Can Join Thougher Together? 

Anybody can sign up for the Tougher Together live event. You don’t have to be a legionnaire or have previously completed a Tough Mudder. From Sean Corvelle’s start speech until the Happy Hour dance party and music from Coach T. Mud, all are welcome. 

Where Is It Happening?

Virtually, online, right here. We’re conducting the event via Zoom, where we will do challenges both on and off camera. Prizes, giveaways, competitive contests, music, dancing, and more are on the agenda, so come prepared and come ready to move. 

How Do I Participate?

Each obstacle can be made with ordinary household objects found in your living room, kitchen, junk drawer, and elsewhere. They require a short setup, so we encourage you to sign up in advance so you can have a headstart in completing the obstacles. Register here.

Want More?

If you are interested in participating, click here to register, sign the waiver, and lock in your spot. Once you have registered and are ready to CRUSH IT, you can scoot on over to this link for the full set of instructions, what you’ll need, and where you can access the online event. See you there, Mudder Nation.

Sign up here and don’t forget to share your challenges online with #TougherTogether.

Update May 14, 2020

As cities, states and countries begin to implement their path toward reopening and the road to getting back to the things we love, we wanted to share how we’re evaluating the upcoming events that are on the Tough Mudder calendar around the world for the remainder of 2020. 

But first, let’s all acknowledge that quarantine sucks. We can’t be together, much of our way of life is disrupted, and while it was necessary in the immediate arrival of the virus to help governments and healthcare systems establish a response, we know we can’t be quarantined forever. 

Returning to normalcy from the COVID pandemic, and being able to host mass gatherings again is uncharted territory.  No one has done this before, and our understanding of the science and policy around reopening is changing on a daily basis.  Different parts of the country and the world have had different experiences over the past three months, and much of that may influence how you feel about the timeline and approach to reopening. 

At TMHQ, we’ve dedicated our focus for the past few months to solving this puzzle, and laying the groundwork for what our new normal will look like when we are back in the mud again. 

We’ve currently postponed (either to later in 2020 or 2021) all events globally through July, and are looking at the following factors to inform decisions about events in August through the remainder of the year:

• Government Policy: Many of the states and countries we operate in are just starting to roll out their reopening plans, and some of them are addressing policy around mass gatherings more prescriptively than others. We’re watching this closely and coordinating with permitting authorities and government partners in each market we’re in.
• Safety: Due to the volume of participants and high-contact nature of our events, reducing the likelihood of exposure or outbreak at a Tough Mudder event is an important consideration.  Our team is working on a number of mitigation measures that will ultimately result in significant changes to the on-site experience, which we’ll share in more detail over time.  You should expect that these measures evolve over time, as we continue to learn more about the virus, how it spreads, and how effective certain prevention and sanitation  measures can be. 
• Our Team: We have an incredibly dedicated team at TMHQ, who want nothing more than to get back out there and produce the events you love. Many of our US team live in the NYC area, and our UK team in the London area– two of the hardest hit epicenters that are still experiencing the impact. In order to deliver your event, they need to be able to travel practically and safely for planning and event execution, which continues to be limited and restricted in many ways. 
• Experience: At our core, Tough Mudder prides ourselves on delivering quality, unconventional experiences for our community. We’re all going to need to be a bit more flexible in the new world post-COVID, but we’re mindful that you may be wary of attending an event that is bare of the obstacles and festival experience you love.

Taking all of these factors into consideration, we’ve committed to informing you no less than sixty days prior to your event about its status. If your event has to be postponed, your ticket and any add-ons will be automatically transferred to the rescheduled event, and we’re happy to facilitate no-cost transfers to a different event or another person through 31 December 2020, or a Flex ticket that allows you to decide which event you want to attend well down the road.

In addition to addressing the above planning for our 2020 season and launching a full slate of 2021 events, our team is hard at work developing a series of virtual challenge experiences (complete with swag!) that we’ll be launching in the coming weeks, new content and digital offerings to keep you fit, healthy and sane, and a new community engagement platform that we’re pretty excited about. 

Event Postponement Announcements

Twin Cities – July 10 & 11, 2021

Chicago – August 14 & 15, 2021

Toughest Chicago – August 14 & 15, 2021

Toronto – September 18 & 19, 2021

Colorado – Date TBD, 2021

Virginia – Date TBD, 2021

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Update April 30, 2020

Mudder Nation:

Our world is facing an unprecedented obstacle.  Many of us find ourselves quarantined at home, caring for our kids, trying to stay connected, concerned for our livelihood. Many more of us bravely exited our front door this morning– as teachers, healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, civil servants– into a world that is seemingly changing by the minute.  We’re all likely feeling a little anxious, a little fearful– and uncertain of what is to come. 

Many of you have conquered a Tough Mudder course before. And some of you likely stood at our start line– feeling a little anxious, maybe a little fearful and uncertain of what was to come. You heard the words of Sean Corvelle reminding you– that with teamwork, courage and a heavy dose of mental grit, you could face your fears and get it done. Together. As a team. 

This is a time that Tough Mudder values ring more true than ever.

The only way to defeat this pandemic is by working together – and Mudders know how to do that better than anyone else. In this strange time, in many ways, we have an opportunity to be even more connected. 

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing the best of our inspirational stories, at-home fitness plans, recipes to try while you’re quarantined, contests, DIY backyard obstacles– and the occasional meme to lighten the mood. Join us @toughmudder on Facebook and @tough_mudder on Instagram to be a part of the conversation.

We’re working to proactively push the start of our season back into the summer to ensure that we’re doing our part to help #FlattenTheCurve. Our scheduled US season kickoff in Virginia May 30-31 will be postponed until August 29-30, and we now plan to start the season in Twin Cities in July. All registered Virginia participants have received an email  this morning confirming new details. Please be patient with our Mudder Services team, who are all working remotely and managing customer care for multiple rescheduled events around the world.

A few months from now, we’ll all be back in the mud, leaving our everyday stresses behind and connecting with teammates and strangers alike. Set your sights on our start line as the light at the end of this tunnel.  

We are Tougher Together.
Kyle McLaughlin
CEO

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Update March 5, 2020

Tough Mudder continues to closely monitor developments around the world relating to the spread of Coronavirus/COVID-19. We work closely with local authorities for our events and note the updates and advice given by local Governments, the World Health Organization and other relevant public bodies.

We’d like to assure you that the safety of our participants, spectators, team members, volunteers and partners remains our number one priority.

We’ve been working with local authorities as well as talking to our community and, following careful consideration, have decided to postpone our Tough Mudder Virginia event until August 29-30, 2020. The location for the event remains unchanged. 

If you have already purchased tickets for Virginia, you’ve been automatically transferred into the Tough Mudder Virginia event to be held on August 29-30, 2020. In the event that this new date does not work for you, we will waive all transfer fees to allow you to choose another 2020 event or defer your entry to Virginia 2021 (date and venue tbd, however our aim is to host this event in Q2 of 2021). All Virginia ticket holders have received an email with more details. If you still have questions or concerns, please contact Mudder Services for additional information.

All other events for the North America 2020 season are scheduled to continue as planned. In the event that your event is postponed or cancelled, we will waive the transfer fee for you to register for a future event.

We will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep the community updated. 
Please contact Mudder Services with any additional questions.

Keep calm and wash your hands,
TMHQ

Fellow Mudders:

The past 50 days have felt like both a marathon and a sprint, all at the same time. Here in New York City where Tough Mudder is based, and around the US and the world, we’ve seen the magnitude of seemingly endless hardship and tragedy, and each and every one of us have been impacted in some form by COVID-19. My heart goes out to all of the members of our community who are grieving, adapting or overcoming– and know that the strength of our global Tough Mudder community is with you. 

These unprecedented challenges we’ve all faced for the past few months continue to highlight for me what we’ve always believed at TMHQ:  with teamwork, mental grit and courage– we can overcome any obstacle in front of us.  A few weeks ago, we launched our #HelpAHundred campaign to recognize the incredible efforts of our community, and have been humbled and inspired by the selfless spirit seen in the works of Mudders around the world. If you haven’t got on board yet– my mission to you: find your own way to help 100 people during this time of shared need, just as if you were on top of Everest, extending that helping hand down to a fellow Mudder. 

As most of the country has turned the corner and embarks on the road to recovery, we’re itching to get back out in the mud again.  But we’re also fully aware that recovery is going to take some time, and want to ensure that when we do return to holding events– we can do it in a way that minimizes the risk to you, our volunteers and our staff, and doesn’t create a burden for the communities that host us. 

We’ve been hard at work developing what our “new normal” will look like, and you should expect that there will be substantial changes to the on-site event experience that allow us to adhere to local government guidelines. We have also been in close contact with the venues and local governments that host us, determining what their timelines look like to begin hosting events again.  It is too early to tell when we will be able to resume hosting, but our commitment to you is that we’ll communicate status on your event no less than 60 days out, so you can adjust your plans accordingly. 

If your event is not able to be held this year due to safety restrictions or you’re uncomfortable attending, all participants are able to transfer your ticket to a later 2020 event or 2021 event at no cost to you. We’ve also suspended all previously scheduled ticket price increases until further notice. We anticipate launching the full 2021 season in June, with 20+ Tough Mudder weekends in the works. 

In the meantime, we’ve been creating a full other suite of offerings to keep you fit, healthy, inspired and entertained at home.  Check out your inbox and our Facebook and Instagram for daily live workouts, as well as nutrition tips, mindfulness activities, and inspiring stories from the community. We’ve added a number of new products to Gear.ToughMudder.com, including neck tubes and masks to rep your TM pride if you live in a state that requires face covering. Be on the lookout for more exciting announcements from us in the coming weeks on new digital offerings, virtual challenges and product deals from our partners. 

There are still obstacles ahead for many of us, but remember: you’ve been training for this.  You’ve got this, and we’ve got your back. 

Stay safe, stay healthy and (hopefully) see you soon,

Kyle McLaughlin

CEO

During these unprecedented times, we’d like to thank our corporate partner GoGo squeeZ for their involvement in our #HelpAHundred campaign. When we pledged to affect a million lives at the start of this quarantine period, we knew it was going to be a lofty goal. But as partners, legionnaires, and community heroes stepped forward, we started to see it was much more achievable when we take it in bite-sized doses. One of those partners we want to highlight is GoGo squeeZ for their involvement with community food banks around the country.

Materne North America, Tough Mudder partner and manufacturers of GoGo squeeZ applesauce, has partnered with non-profit Move For Hunger to help supply frontliners across the US with much needed snacks to fuel their days.  GoGo squeeZ applesauce is a staple in most family homes and they have committed to donating $1.5 million worth of product in this time of need.  In the past 3 weeks the duo has collectively delivered to over 415 individual organizations, in 11 states and counting, for a total of over 400K pouches to date.  To further the cause some giving folks in NY (WeRok in Valley Cottage, an Amazon store), LA (MONK Provisions, a craft cocktail manufacturer) and Atlanta (Gate Group, an airline food packaging company) have all graciously offered up storage space to help facilitate these product drops.

It takes a village and they have managed to incorporate all of their favorite chiefs and mama bears to execute this heart felt project.  Spearheaded by the GoGo squeeZ Squad team, who normally handles events and sampling, like many other companies, their vision flipped to help out all of those who are most in need. Instead of PTA events and community field day activations, they have stabilized their internal networks and created these vast giving communities in support of all of our first responders, school districts and Food Banks struggling right now.  The entire team and company are so thankful to be part of this movement.

“The mission of GoGo squeeZ is to make it easier for our customers to be healthier and happier every day, and Move For Hunger has made it possible for us to accomplish this for families in need across the country during this unique and challenging time,” said Alex Schned, Partnerships Director at Materne NA. “We are extremely appreciative of Move For Hunger for their help in delivering joy to our community, whether that be families experiencing food insecurity during the pandemic, children needing nutritious snacks while at home from school, or the heroic doctors, nurses and healthcare workers looking for a treat while working tirelessly day-after-day. Our entire organization is deeply grateful to all the workers at Move For Hunger who have made this partnership possible.

So many Food banks across the nation are in dire need right now for supplies and food. Move For Hunger is a national non-profit organization that has created a sustainable way to reduce food waste and fight hunger. We have mobilized the leaders of moving, relocation, and multi-family industries to provide their customers, clients, and residents with the opportunity to donate their food when they move. Members of Move For Hunger also organize community food drives, participate in awareness campaigns, and create employee engagement programs.

Materne NA manufactures proudly in the US in Michigan and Idaho.  GoGo squeeZ is the leading squeezable pouch made from 100% fruit.  Available in over 20 varieties, GoGo squeeZ’s pouches make it easier for kids to explore, play, and just be kids. GoGo squeeZ makes Fruit, Fruit and VeggieZ, YogurtZ, and SmoothieZ in pouches and has been available in the US for over 10 years. You can follow their work on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Every year at Tough Mudder we honour well-deserving members or groups within Mudder Nation with awards recognizing their contribution within the community and their embodiment of the Tough Mudder values. Nominations and voting are open to every legionnaire and take place before World’s Toughest Mudder so the awards can be given at the famous brunch celebration following this epic 24 hour event. 

We don’t think we’ve shouted enough about our worthy 2019 champions, so we want to put this right. Over the next few weeks we’ll be bringing you the winners in each category; Mental Grit, Fun, Teamwork, Personal Accomplishment, Tribe and new for 2019 – Hall of Fame.

The Courage to Continue

Growth. Resilience. Integrity. Tenacity. At Tough Mudder we are in awe of the number of Mudders who personify what mental grit is. The nominees and winner of this category have all persevered through challenging circumstances and despite the odds have conquered every obstacle put in their way. 

Before we announce the winner, we’d like to recognise the shortlisted nominations for this award, in the words of those who nominated them.

These were: 

• Dave Didier for having a huge fighting spirit, a heart the size of a lion and coming back to conquer World’s Toughest Mudder after beating illness 
• Jules Estes for being a complete badass and being one of the strongest race format contenders in her field all whilst managing type 1 diabetes 
• Will Cattermole for overcoming an injury and coming back stronger than ever
• Grant Polson for embodying the 3rd pledge line: ‘I do not whine, kids whine’ and smashing all obstacles put in his way on course

The Winner of the ‘Mental Grit’ Award is…

The 2019 Mental Grit award winner is…… pause for dramatic effect ……. Michelle Carney.

Michelle is one of many inspirations to the Tough Mudder community, and us at TMHQ. This is what she had to say when we asked her about Tough Mudder and the award. 

How did You First Get Involved with Tough Mudder?

At the end of June 2017 I was finally able to get out of an abusive relationship that I had been in for 20 year since being a teenager. After various court battles etc I was just starting to get settled with my two teenage children when at the end of the year I received some news about my health that meant I would need to have some quite drastic and draining medical procedures. I knew that I needed something to focus on as a goal and to encourage me to keep fighting and had heard about Tough Mudder so signed up to do my local one in Yorkshire. As my grandfather had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer I decided to take up the challenge whilst raising money for Cancer Research UK. I initially signed up alone as everyone thought I was crazy and didn’t want to join me but at the last minute a friend decided she was crazy enough to come along.

What Keeps You Coming Back to Tough Mudder?

It’s quite simple really – the community does! I’ve found my Tribe, my Mud Family and a place where I feel like I truly belong. I never before experienced teamwork and camaraderie like I have out on course and that continues within the community off course too. The extent that complete strangers will go to in order to help each other overcome the obstacles and their fears both on and off course cannot be described unless you have experienced it yourself. This is backed and actively encouraged in every aspect by every person at TMHQ who truly believe in the values of the company and in changing people’s lives through the experiences they help them have. It has come to be a physical representation of the struggles I have faced in life, the obstacles that need to be overcome and the amazing people who help you do that in order to achieve your goals.

During the last couple of years I’ve experienced many ups and downs with my health. The various medical treatments I required lowered my immune system drastically and at the start of last year I contracted pneumonia in both lungs which then resulted in abscesses and in turn issues with my heart. Despite this I was determined to still complete the latest fitness challenges I’d signed up to which included a Half Marathon, World’s Highest Indoor Bungee Jump, Yorkshire 3 Peaks, Snowdon, 4 Tough Mudder Classics and 1 x Tough Mudder 5K. Many people outside of the community didn’t understand my need to do these things and it caused quite a few arguments. The support I received from within the community though was overwhelming. Obviously everyone wanted me to be careful but also offered every bit of support they could to the extent that some even offered to carry me to the finish line if needed (fortunately for them I am far too stubborn to ever allow that).

My goal for this season is to complete all Tough Mudders within the UK including Europe’s Toughest Mudder (eek) and to complete as many volunteer shifts as I can too!

I have truly made lifelong bonds with people who have become more like family than friends and shared some amazing memories and experiences with them that I never would have found without Tough Mudder. We are so much more than a group of people who run through the mud together and I look forward to more and more adventures with them all as well as helping more people experience their first Tough Mudder.

What Does Winning the Mental Grit Award Mean to You?

Just to have been nominated for the award was an honour I cannot describe and I am truly, truly humbled to have been selected, I literally cried for days and the thought still makes me emotional now. What makes it so much more special though is that the nominations came from the community itself. There are so many amazing people within the Tough Mudder circle who have so many amazing stories. I am still very new to this family and admire so many people within it. Although I have been welcomed with open arms I always find myself looking at the people with their 25x, 50x and even 100x headbands in awe. To have been selected by these people who I admire so much, to be given such a prestigious award is something I will never ever forget. I honestly didn’t have a clue that I had been nominated let alone was a finalist so the shock when the awards were announced at the World’s Toughest Mudder Brunch floored me for days. 

I would like to thank the community for helping me to obtain it though, as it wasn’t just my mental grit that got me here. As cheesy as it may sound it was very much the grit that I borrowed from so many of my friends that got me to where I am so the award very much belongs to each and every one of them too and as such truly is a community award.

Like us, Michelle truly values the support from the Tough Mudder community. We know Mudder Nation is amazing at making a difference in people’s lives, that’s why we launched the #HelpAHundred project. We want to reach 1 million acts of kindness during these uncertain times. Get involved and share your acts of kindness with us on social media using #HelpAHundred and make a difference in people’s lives. 

We’ll also be bringing you the other 2019 Community Award winners over the next few weeks. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up to date.

As Tough Mudder comes up on our 10 year anniversary, we’re reflecting on our origins and the values that started it all.

Before the seeds for Tough Mudder were planted, it started with an idea. The company’s founder was mid-triathlon and found himself in a tricky position when a zipper jammed. Despite repeated asks for help, no other participant would stop, solely focused on their own achievement. That experience sparked an idea that grew into the teamwork-focused challenges we love today. 

Much has happened in the time since the initial days of Tough Mudder. But what hasn’t changed is our vision to bring inclusive teamwork challenges to an industry that previously had focused on the fastest, fittest, and first competitors. We’re proud to have been the catalyst that created the boom of obstacle course challenges we see today. 

In the past 10 years, our industry has changed greatly.

Copycats and competitors rushed in, offering lesser experiences at lower prices. Many of those companies have come and gone. But across the industry, the race for lower prices (and thus lower costs) has led to constant sales and promotions—and a lack of focus on customer service and clear communication.

In 2019 we went back to our roots and heavily invested in the on-site experience. We brought new obstacles on challenging courses, with great enhancements to the festival, all supported by a bigger-than-ever slate of partners. At our foundation, Tough Mudder is an experience company—and we’re inspired every day by our incredible community around the world.

In 2020, we’re making a firm commitment to best-in-class customer experience. You should expect to receive the same high-quality experience pre-event as you do on the course.  Here are just a few ways we plan to achieve that.

1. Transparent Ticket Pricing

Like most in the OCR industry, we’ve had a confusing mix of high prices with steep discounts, promotions, and sales that left you wondering if you were getting the best price. Starting now, pricing will be transparent; what you see on the website is what you’ll pay, and we’ll publish the schedule of when prices will increase so you can decide when to buy. No more monthly promotions—but you may find a surprise sale at a few key moments throughout the year (lookin’ at you, Black Friday).

2. Add-Ons

We’ve heard your feedback about the additional costs involved in doing a Tough Mudder. In the U.S. and Canada, gear check is now $5 (when purchased online) and Mudder Village passes for your spectators are $10 (when purchased online) and $15 (on-site). Mini Mudder will also be $10 (online) and $15 (on-site). Be on the lookout for special offers around season passes for parking and gear check to launch in the coming week. 

3. Customer-Focused Policies

We’ve outlined a revised set of customer policies to better accommodate you when life gets in the way. A few headlines:

–Refunds: A new, no questions asked, 48-hour window to request a refund after purchase.
–Transfers: Flat $15 transfer fees to transfer your ticket to another person or a future event, without the impact of the price difference. Learn more about the details here. 

4. The Best Team in the Business

For over six years, the front line of our customer service response has been outsourced to a third-party company, which meant that you may have dealt with an auto-responder and three different people to solve your problem. Beginning in January, we’re bringing all of our customer service in-house as full-time TMHQ team members. In most cases, the first person you talk to will be able to resolve your issue in one email. Be on the lookout for the launch of phone-based service, Facebook and Instagram chat, and other tools to better help you have a frictionless experience.

5. Start Times

We’re developing a more transparent process for start time selection and assignment, which we’re aiming to launch in Q1 2020. Stay tuned for updates on a more straightforward system that will allow you to select your start time when you buy your ticket. 

6. New ToughMudder.com

Later this fall, we’ll be launching a brand new website with improved navigation, detailed event information, and a platform to highlight all the great content created by our community.

7. New Ambassador Program

Tough Mudder Ambassadors embody our values of teamwork, courage, and personal accomplishment, and they support our community in so many ways. The new program expands the focus beyond recruiting, and we’ve opened 500 slots for 2020 Ambassadors. Apply here.

Our mission for 2020? Deliver the best customer experience in the events industry, on and off the course.  It’s been an incredible 2019 season, and we can’t wait to see you in the mud next year.

Last year TMHQ made a commitment to putting obstacle innovation back at the heart of everything we do, that means talking about out-of-the-box obstacles ideas, on-course upgrades, and mid-year surprises all year round.

The big brains have been drawing on the walls again but there’s only one way to truly find out if an obstacle can work IRL and that’s alpha testing.

WHAT IS ALPHA TESTING?

Alpha testing is where we put a brand new obstacle, or part of an obstacle, out on course so Mudders can try them and let us know what they think.

These obstacles, or aspects of obstacles will then be adopted, changed, updated, or ditched completely based on how they perform under thousands of muddy feet.

WHAT DID ALPHA TESTING 2018 BRING US?

In 2018, Alpha Test obstacles sprung up on courses right here in the United States where we debuted a version of what became Tight Squeeze.

And we weren’t having all the fun: You can thank Mudders in Germany for their feedback on 2019’s Texas Hold ‘Em and runners in England for Spread Eagle’s shaking straplines and the shockingly good Entrapment.

Overall, alpha and beta testing helped our Obstacle Innovation Lab unveil epic new obstacles for 2019, including 10 new or updated obstacles to every single Tough Mudder Classic and four new obstacles to Tough Mudder 5K.

HOW CAN YOU BE PART OF ALPHA TESTING?

This year’s U.S. Alpha testing will be at our… *drumroll please*… Seattle Tough Mudder 5K and Tough Mudder Classic on September 21 and 22. Register for our Seattle event to be the first to try out what our mad scientists in the Obstacle Innovation Lab are cooking up for the 2020 season.

Not able to attend? We’re still listening. You can give us your feedback via social media, the post-event survey, to Tough Mudder Ambassadors, or to a member of TMHQ at an event. Basically, our ears are open.

We have some epic news: Mudder Nation is hitting Italy for the first time ever this year. Say hello to world-class obstacles in the land of sun, culture, style and also…good pizza!

Tough Mudder has finally reached the land where real ancient legionnaires were born. Check out Tough Mudder Italy on Facebook and Instagram and get psyched to experience a tough challenge in the shadow of the Coliseum. Wanna feel like Russell Crowe in Gladiator? Here’s your chance to have the greatest Tough Mudder experience ever.

Treat your loved ones to a weekend of carb-loading on Italy’s finest foods, conquer an epic mud-soaked course, and celebrate in Milan (the fashion capital) or in Rome, the city of romance. Here are the epic details:

Tough Mudder Classic & 5K – Milan: 14 & 15 September 2019

This charming Italian city has a vibe that balances old-world romance and history with urban grit and cosmopolitanism. Plus, it’s surrounded by some of central Europe’s most beautiful countryside. From the architecture to the food, there’s a full list of reasons to visit this unique city:

1. For the beautiful and diverse architecture
2. For the masterpiece art works
3. To enjoy aperitivo in the city of its origin
4. To stand on the roof of a cathedral
5. Because of its fashion heritage
6. Because of its design heritage
7. Because it’s a great base for exploring the rest of northern Italy
8. And, of course, to do a Tough Mudder

Tough Mudder’s first venue location in Italy is just 20 minutes away from this vibrant city, in the beautiful Parco del Ticino.

So, why not plan your next Tough Mudder experience in this extraordinary place?

Tough Mudder Classic & 5K – Rome: 26 & 27 October 2019

On October 26 and 27, Tough Mudder’s second Italy event will take place just few miles away from beautiful Rome. It would take more than one lifetime to see everything the Eternal City has to offer, so if you’re planning to have your next Tough Mudder experience here, we’ve compiled a handy list of seven favorites you absolutely can’t miss during your trip. This would be your best reward, after all your efforts!

1. Ancient Ruins
2. Seat of the Papacy
3. The Sistine Chapel
4. Roman Street Food: supplì, fried cod, sandwich with “porchetta” (roast pork)
5. La Dolce Vita
6. Pizza and original pasta alla carbonara
7. Explore the city on top of a vintage Vespa

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Didn’t think Tough Mudder was a spectator sport? Think again. Attending a Tough Mudder will leave you with a lasting memory, even if you don’t get dirty in the process. Tough Mudder spectators are welcome to soak in the on course energy—as Mudder athletes conquer obstacles—and participate in all of the on-site activities available in the Mudder Village Festival.

Tough Mudder Spectator Tips

If you’re planning to cheer on your team from the sidelines, check out these Tough Mudder spectator tips first in order to make it through event day from the other side of the ropes.

Check the Map

We’ll have Google Maps set up with the course layout, spectator route, obstacles, and—maybe most important—the Mudder Village Festival.

Know Before You Go

Pick a few obstacles to meet your team at for prime photo-taking opportunities. The facial expressions you’ll catch at Mud Mile, Arctic Enema, Augustus Gloop 2.0, Everest, and Electroshock Therapy are ones you’ll never want to forget.

Explore Mudder Village Festival

Did we mention how epic the Mudder Village Festival is going to be this year? From mouthwatering local eats and frosty cold beer (a freebie is included with every spectator ticket) to killer live entertainment, lawn games, and awesome giveaways, you may be tempted to skip the “spectator” part and just hang out. 

Tough Mudder 5K, Tough Mudder Classic, Tougher Mudder, and Mini Mudder

Running a Tough Mudder Classic could take a team upwards of 3 hours to complete. Wear comfortable shoes that can withstand a bit of mud, pack a few snacks, and get ready to experience something you’ve never seen before.

Toughest Mudder

Toughest Mudder is a 12-hour race through the night, from 8:00 pm Saturday to 8:00 am Sunday. You’re not just a spectator at this event, you’re officially a pit crew member. This means in addition to what you would bring to a normal Tough Mudder, you need to be ready to motivate your athlete through one of the hardest experiences of their lives. Pack appropriately for overnight conditions. Also snacks. This is your test run for the ultimate pit crew experience: World’s Toughest Mudder.    

World’s Toughest Mudder

World’s Toughest Mudder is the most extreme, insane, pulse-pounding, heart-stopping 24-hour obstacle course challenge on the planet. For this event, you’re either a committed pit crew member, or a day-time spectator.   

Spectator: A day-time spectator at World’s Toughest Mudder doesn’t need any more preparation than a normal Tough Mudder spectator. There are plenty of options for food and drinks in the Mudder Village Festival. World’s Toughest is a 5 mile loop, so all of the obstacles are within a reasonable distance from the Mudder Village Festival.  

Pit Crew: As a member of the carefully selected (up to) four-person pit crew for your World’s Toughest Mudder athlete, you’re responsible for a slew of things: constant motivation, fueling your runner with plenty of snacks and drinks, stretching them and keeping them warm in between laps, and really anything else they need. Remember, they’re the ones running for 24 hours straight after all…