Race Recap: Tough Mudder X World Championship

Well folks, it’s officially a wrap on the Tough Mudder X 2018 season. The World Championship event went down in Richmond, Virginia on June 8th, and saw some of the best athletes in the world come out to compete in what truly turned out to be the toughest mile on the planet. And if you didn’t get to see the epic event IRL, don’t worry—tune in to CBS at 1:00pm on July 14, 21, and 28 to see watch how it all unfolded.

On the men’s side, perennial champion Hunter McIntyre backed up his braggadoccio leading up to the event with a dominating performance, leaving no doubt that he is the man to beat in this new sport going into next year. Hunter pulled away from the pack early on with a blistering pace on the run and managed to beat a strong competitive field that included Jacob Heppner, Dakota Rager, Patrick Vellner, and Isaiah Vidal. In the race for second place, top challenger Isaiah Vidal was nipping at Hunter’s heels all the way to the final obstacle, at which point the cumulative effect of the day’s effort may finally have taken its toll. Vidal stalled out while racing Jacob Heppner on the final rope climb just a few hundred feet from the finish, allowing for the pack of athletes just behind to pass him in the final stretch. While heartbreaking for Vidal, it was an inspiring effort and one that no one present will soon forget.

Tough Mudder X Top 10 – Men

1. Hunter McIntyre

2. Jacob Heppner

3. Dakota Rager

4. Patrick Vellner

5. Bobby Noyce

6. Streat Hoerner

7. Isaiah Vidal

8. Matthew Kempson

9. Jordan Troyan

10. Dylan Miraglia

On the women’s side, newcomer Emma Chapman surprised the field with a calm and steady performance that landed her atop the podium, upsetting reigning champion Corinna Coffin and a stacked field of female competitors. Carolyne Prevost, who had posted the fastest time in the previous round and went into the final as a potential favorite to win, saw her hopes dashed halfway through the course when she fell from Kong – Infinity while in the lead, and was passed by much of the field while going back to complete the obstacle. With the fastest time through both workout zones, Chapman cruised to victory and a $25,000 payday, followed by Corinna Coffin in 2nd and Cassidy Lance-Mcwherter in 3rd. For many of the female competitors, including Cassidy Lance-Mcwherter, this was their first obstacle course race. Looking forward to the 2019 Tough Mudder X season, we expect to see some amazing competition on the female side as Coffin looks to regain her spot atop the podium.