The original and oldest obstacle race will play host to the first Tough Guy World Championship on February 1st with the World Champion Jon Albon to take part to battle it out with Europe’s top Elites.
Based in Wolverhampton, the prize pot is thought to be around £2,000 but yet to be confirmed and with rumours that Inov-8 will sponsoring the event in some capacity.
An eight mile course, runners will battle the icy cold cross country course faced with numerous plunge pools and the infamous Killing Fields Assault course, in the final few miles.
Speaking to Muddy Race Jon commented:
I’m not sure whether I am looking forward to Tough Guy or not - I still get nasty memories of the cold. The weather on the day has a huge role to play and I am far more prepared this time around with suitable clothing. I’m sure I will have fun no matter what
Although Jon Albon will be the favourite going into the race, Muddy Race’s Conor Hancock (8th place at the OCR World Championships) will also be fighting for the top spot and touted as one of Jon’s main rivals. Having won the Tough Guy marathon in April 2014 Conor completed four laps of the Tough Guy so will know the course well.
Conor spoke to us:
I’ll be out training and testing clothes in the current conditions to see what works best. The Tough Guy marathon was hard and hilly but it was quite warm, so the cold will be a new obstacle, but I quite like running in the cold!
James Appleton will join the fight with the Spartan Beast win in his back pocket from last year and his previous Tough Guy winning experience will be vital. The top spots will be challenged by the Germans who last year dominated the show with more top 100 finishes than any other nationality.
Last year’s front runners heading to the infamous Killing Fields assault course
The previous winner of last year, Charles Franzke, will be flying over with his team Getting Tough ready to retain his crown. With these four battling it out, it will be a day to watch – Muddy Race will be doing its famous live on the day broadcasting keeping you up to date
Lucy Martlew the UK ladies champion, will be attempting her first podium finish at Tough Guy and has been training in the Hastings sea with coach Richard Pringle ready for the cold weather.
The dreaded muddy Torture Chamber
Lucy, a Spartan and OCR World Championship Elite finisher will also be up against the Germans in a bid to finish first lady, although may be starting from the back. Clare Miller, of team Inov-8 will also be challenging the ladies at the front, Many competitors have adjusted their training to specifically cope with the cold using wet suits and other aids to simulate the race conditions.
Lucy commented:
Training has been somewhat different, every session I’m either in a wetsuit or wearing a weighted vest to prepare myself for the weight and restrictions caused by the wetsuit. I figured although I’ll be slower in a wetsuit I won’t be cold, cold people don’t run very fast either! I just want to finish having completed the challenge.
Tough Guy is on 1st February with the event coverage happening from 10am - follow us on Facebook, twitter and Instagram to keep up!