This is an updated story from the version in Wednesday, March 23's paper. Also check out the video here, part 1 of a tour with Tough Mudder construction revealing this year's obstacles.
The 10 to 12 miles of running, climbing, trudging through ice water, slogging through mud and more, known as Tough Mudder, is fast approaching for its second year in Santa Rosa County. As new and returning Mudders prepare for this year’s event, the organization has released new obstacles for which no one can prepare. Jodi Kovacs, Tough Mudder Communications Associate, provided the details.
First on the list is “The Block Ness Monster.” Kovacs described the obstacle as “a series of three massive rotating blocks submerged in a pool of waist-deep muddy water. Teamwork is a absolutely essential to making it over this one. When tested at a few events in 2015, it was the highest rated obstacle by participants over any obstacle in Tough Mudder history.”
Kovacs also detailed two returning obstacles, “Cage Crawl” and “Pyramid Scheme.” “Cage Crawl,” she said, “is an enclosed tank filled with water and covered by a chain link fence. Participants must use the fence above them to pull themselves through the tightly confined space.”
“Pyramid Scheme,” Kovacs said, “requires participants to literally build a human pyramid and ladder over each other to ascend over this slippery, A-framed slope.”
Those who made it through last year will surely remember “Arctic Enema.” The run through icy water is back in a second version including “a high speed entry slide and center wall you must scale to escape the 10 tons of ice we jam into this frigid dumpster dive,” according to the Tough Mudder website.
Daniel Hahn, plans chief for Santa Rosa County Emergency Management participated last year and said he plans to take part in Tough Mudder every year he can. “The Tough Mudder can be a race if you want it to be. It can be a competition if that's what you're looking for. It can be a team building event. It can be an individual challenge. It can be exercise. The Tough Mudder is going to be whatever it is going to be to every participant, but the one thing that it is to all participants, is fun,” he said.
Having made it through the course once, Hahn is officially considered a Tough Mudder ‘Legionnaire.’ For the Legionnaires, Kovacs relayed obstacles available to them only.
Up first for Legionnaires is another upper-body challenge. “An updated twist on the A-frame shaped “The Liberator,” ‘Backstabber” requires you to use one peg and just three holes to hoist yourself over this structure,” Kovacs said.
Second, the “Rain Man”, Kovacs said is like an upgraded “Cage Crawl.” She said the obstacle is “more challenging and requires more mental grit as water will be spraying at participants' faces as they make their way through this tightly enclosed tank. The water is filled to the top of the cage so it's an obstacle that evokes a bit of fear since participants are in such a confined space.”
Finally, Legionnaires can end the course with “The Frequent Flyers’ Club.” Kovacs said. “All new in 2016 is this brand-new finisher obstacle only for Legionnaires that allows them to bypass the infamous Electroshock Therapy. Instead of taking more than 10,000 volts of electricity, jump from 15' above towards the finish line and land on the crash pad below.”
As last year, children from ages 7 to 12 can take part in getting dirty with the Fruit Shoot Mini Mudder both days of the event. Kovacs described it as a one-mile obstacle course of 10 challenges designed to teach kids about getting muddy, working as a team and experiencing the thrill of adventure.
Right now, one event ticket costs $139 and includes a headband, finisher tee shirt, beer, and free photography. Those who haven’t purchased their ticket should do so before March 31 when the price will go up again.
Keep up with the Santa Rosa Press Gazette for more Mudder news as the event approaches.
WHAT: ToughMudderGulfCoast
WHEN? April 9 and 10,
WHERE? Ates Ranch, 6110 Jeff Ates Road, Milton
COST: $139 for 1 event ticket including headband, tee shirt, finisher beer, free photography. $149 includes registration protection. Cost increases March 31.
WHAT TO BRING: Waivers, tickets, photo ID, and cash.
WHAT TO WEAR: normal running shoes, gloves, hat, warm/dry clothing for changing after the event, sunscreen and hydration system filled with water.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa County prepares to get muddy again