If you’ve been working your butt off in the gym sweating to the oldies (or you know, just sweating) and you’re looking to kick it up a notch (or 12), mud runs may be for you. No, a mud run is not the same as that time your 120-pound dog dragged you through some back trails on a rainy day.
Mud runs are a growing fitness trend that have multiplied over the past few years, featuring fear-defying obstacles and a truckload of…mud. (If you don’t like to get down and dirty, these may be for you.) Warning: these are not for the faint of heart.
1. Tough Mudder
Created the British Special Forces to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project, Tough Mudder has races all over the world including Canada, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. With an iconic orange sweatband, Tough Mudders trek across 18-20km of obstacles for a pint of beer as reward…and the glory!
2. Mud Hero
With mud runs across the Great White North from Red Deer, Alberta to Ottawa to Halifax, Nova Scotia, this Canadian-owned and operated obstacle course is essential for your bucket list.
3. Warrior Dash
50 locations worldwide to get down and dirty and earn the infamous Warrior helmet with the world’s largest obstacle race series. Three to four miles long with 12 extreme obstacles, Warriors can raise money for the St. Jude’s Children Hospital and earn a turkey leg post-race!
4. Spartan Race
Sponsored by Reebok, Spartan Races can be found across Canada, the United States, and Europe. Around since 2005, there are four different races to tackle: the Spartan Sprint, the Super Spartan, the Spartan Beast, or if you dare – the Ultra Beast Marathon.
5. Dirty Girl Mud Run
No boys allowed! This 5-kilometre ladies-only mud run is a fun and empowering, but challenging obstacle course. Founded in 2011, Dirty Girl Mud Runs can be found in 25 cities across the United States. Are you dirty enough, girl?
6. Mud Run (Mud Dash)
Named “Canada’s Dirtiest Trail Run”, the Mud Run has a 10-kilometre and 5-kilometre obstacle course for the brave Canuck. Mud Run also embraces that mud-loving kiddie – there’s a 1.5-kilometre trail run for kids!
7. The Stampede
Australia’s leading obstacle course event series has people “running wild” through a 5-kilometre or 10-kilometre obstacle course. Like dashing through live wires coursing with 10,000 volts? Then this is your race!
8. Zombie Evacuation
If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead or wish to practice for a potential zombie apocalypse, this race is all you. Race through obstacles in the UK for 5-kilometres with zombies on your tail. This great is race for beginners – the founders are self-proclaimed “not-the-fittest geeks!”
9. 5K Foam Fest
For the clean freaks out there, the 5K Foam Fest has races across the United States. Featuring lots of difficult obstacles, this dirty run has a chance for you to clean off at the end of the race with a life-size washing machine filled with foam, called the Body Washer.
10. The Death Race
This is pretty much as intense as it sounds. Do you think you can survive a 48-plus hour adventure?