Tough GuyHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (93 votes). | The big picture (93 votes) | | Overall score | | 90% | | How many would do it again? | | 86% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 77% | | PB potential | | 29% | | Atmosphere | | 94% | | Organisation | | 72% | | Value | | 57% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 56% |
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2008 race reviewed by: Mad Baron Bis
 | | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: a great challenge for many reasons
Date of review: January 31, 2012
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2009 race reviewed by: Mad Baron Bis
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Mental and Physical Challenge - not a race
Date of review: January 31, 2012
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2011 race reviewed by: Ian Barnes
| | Overall score | | 40% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 20% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: 8 Previous Events - Never again... read more!!!
In full: Hi all, never reviewed before but this year the Tough Guy has got my goat.....
After completing 8 previous summer and 1 winter tough guy, a week ago I would have said I was a veteran and stallwart tough guy fanatic.....
Alas this is no more, every year prices have gone up and up which in times gone by I wouldn't have minded, as you used to get entry to the event, parking, spectator passes and a glorious medal to wear in the pub and the bath (which you need) when you get home.
However this year I was disappointed when after getting my veteran discount of a measly £10 of £100!!! I received my entry envelope containing no car park pass (now £10 - £20 each on the day)) no spectator pass (now £10 - £20 each on the day)and most annoyingly of all instructions to donate over £20 squiddly winks for adding another medal to my collection.
My friend and I (previous 2007 team winners!!!!!) won't be doing it again and to be honest would advise others the same.. Don't get me wrong if you have a burning desire to do it and have large amounts of £10 and £20 notes stashed under your pillow it is fun, it is hard and there are few more grueling events to be done. But in our opinion they urinating on veterans and newbies alike.
Rant over - good luck if you doing 2012 winter - I'll see you in mud!
Date of review: January 14, 2012
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2009 race reviewed by: youdontknowbigdave
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In short: To the limits and Beyond
Date of review: February 25, 2010
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2009 race reviewed by: Antony Barlow
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
Date of review: April 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Andrew Singleton
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Incredible
In full: Avoid like the plague if you feel the cold / are afraid of heights / can’t swim / are claustrophobic / don’t like hills/mud/fire…!!! Best atmosphere of any “race” I’ve ever competed in.
Date of review: February 5, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Racing Potato
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: “The true man wants two things: danger and play."
In full: You get them in this. I saw two serious accident on this course so Mr Mouse's cavalier reference to mortal danger shouldn't be disregarded! Rather than rehash other people's reviews my tips are:
Head gear – a swim cap is a great way of handling the total immersion obstacles like the Water Tunnel.
Gloves – I found the neoprene Tough Guy mitts both warm, light and extremely robust. Highly recommended.
Full body cover is a must for us less than tough guys.
At the end of the Behemouth you can slide down the diagonal poles if you don’t fancy another parrallel rope section (where I saw faller - hope she's OK).
Date of review: February 4, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: NorthernBloke
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | No | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 40% | | Value | | 40% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A good race but could have been better!
In full: Having completed 2 previous ‘Tough Guy’ Events I was looking for to this year’s ‘race’ as the weather promised to make it that much more of a challenge. I was not led down.
The ‘run’ has varied in length over recent years and now appears to be in the region of 8 miles but significant obstacles are encountered within the first mile. Hence to describe it as a cross country run is an understatement. Plan to get wet (very wet) within the first mile and you will be fine, however there is a decent period of running later which warmed everyone up to such an extent hats and gloves were thrown to the side by some front runners who clearly felt the weather was turning in their favour (big mistake).
The assault course remains pretty much as it has for the last couple of years but the water obstacles really took it out of me due to the cold. My one real bug bear here is marshals were directly a lot of competitors around the water obstacles and then letting them rejoin the race further run the course, hence getting a huge advantage and collecting a much prized ‘tough guy’ medal without doing the hard stuff. I might be being a bit harsh here but I thought the whole point was to complete the course, if you didn’t through injury or ‘weakness’ then you went home with some amazing memories and a determination to return and only your race number on your head to show off your efforts.
Admin at the end was a bit chaotic with not enough hot tea available and the free drinks which had been provided by ‘For Goodness Shakes’ had been left out prior to the race and taken by people who didn’t need them (I saw spectators and kids drinking them!).
Car parking is a bit manic, esp at the end and we waited a good 45 mins in the car to get off the field on the way home. More exit routes and maybe even a bit of traffic control might not go amiss.
However, it is a truly unique event – if you have never tried it then I would strongly recommend you have a go, but complete the whole course because you and your medal will know the truth otherwise!
Training tips:
Hill reps (there are 8 cheeky and v steep 75 m gradients)
Core Fitness.
A sense of humour (get used to running when wet, muddy and cold).
Date of review: February 3, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Jamie Oliver
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: This was my second Tough Guy and you will see form my rating below that I loved it last time. And it was even better this year.
In full: This was my second Tough Guy and you will see form my rating below that I loved it last time. And it was even better this year. Organisation was good and I had alot of help from Mr Mouse and co. as I was organising a team of 100 runners (Loughborough, and we were all in pink). It was much colder and longer, with more obstacles making this year much much Tougher. Lots of injuries and problems with the cold, but I think they were dealt with well. I may be back....
Date of review: February 2, 2009
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2009 race reviewed by: Chris Protheroe 2
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 20% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Absolutely INSANE!! Soo cold...took me to my limits.
In full: With -5 wind chill, my feet were like ice blocks and I couldn't feel my hands. The cold seizes your whole body, even after jumping in several ice cold lakes for my training! The comradery was exceptional, with guys giving you a boost from behind as you tried to drag your body out of the trenches, and you'd turn around and drag them out. This happened all the way through. I collapsed at the end in a delirious heap and some lady dragged my shirt off and dressed me in my jumpers, so thanks to her! I was still shaking an hour and a half later. Awesome event. I'll be back every year!
Date of review: February 2, 2009
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