WHAT OBSTACLES WILL I FIND IN A MUD RUN

Spartan Race, Tough Mudder, Savage Race, all of these mud runs, have their own signature obstacles. Every obstacle is designed to challenge you physically and mentally.

Although not an exhaustive list, this article will give you an idea as to what obstacles you will be facing in four of the most popular Obstacle Course Races (OCR). Learn what to expect on race day, so you are better prepared to conquer these challenging obstacles.

SPARTAN RACE

Spartan, is famous for its 30 burpee penalty for unsuccessful obstacle completion. Has placed itself as the leading entity for the OCR sport. With more than 55 obstacles across their different distances, you will most definitely find a challenging obstacle that will keep you coming for more.

Spear Throw:

The Spear Throw is the one obstacle you will see in every race, it is the most iconic obstacle in the Spartan Race series. This seemingly easy obstacle it’s not a matter of strength or endurance or speed, but purely technical and some luck. This deceitful obstacle consists in, you guessed right, throwing a spear through to a target with a helmet on it. You have only one chance to hit the target and if you miss, get ready to pump your 30 burpees.

Barbed Wire

The Barbed Wire is another obstacle you will see in almost every race, sometimes twice. I recommend you to crawl as low as you can to the ground to avoid getting caught on the wire. You will be crawling on the grass, rocks, mud, and don’t forget the thorns.

Rope Climb

The Rope Climb is another staple of the Spartan Race obstacles. The goal here is very simple, climb your way up the 12-16 feet rope and hit the bell. I have seen Spartans muscling up the rope, to save energy, I recommend instead using the “hook” technique.

Rolling Mud/ Dunk Wall

The Rolling Muds’ will slow you down not to mention it will refresh you with a water/mud bath. They are normally in groups of three followed by the “Dunking Wall” another signature obstacle of the Spartan Race.

Multi Rig

The Multi Rig was my nemesis for a long time before I could complete it. This is an awesome obstacle worth trying. This will test your grip endurance and coordination.

Twister

The Twister could be an intimidating obstacle. Since its inception, this obstacle has accumulated thousand of burpees from Spartan challengers, I included. In his obstacle, you have to hang on handles that are fixed to a rotating pole through 20 to 30 feet long. Every time you transition to the next handle the pole rotates.

Olympus

The Olympus Wall is a fun obstacle especially when it’s wet. Spartan challengers must navigate across a slanted wall to hit the bell on the opposite side. You have 3 different types of holds: chains, rock climbing holds, and holes.

TOUGH MUDDER

Since its inception in 2010 Tough Mudder has drawn millions of participants to try their sometimes insane obstacles. Depending on the distance, you will be running through 13 to 25 single signature obstacles. Some of the obstacles you will face in the Tough Mudder races are designed to be completed in teams or with the help of someone. Here is a list of some of the obstacles you will face on race day.

Entrapment

The Entrapment obstacle will remind you to stay low to the ground or risk being zapped, Tough Mudder for some reason loves zapping people. This low crawl obstacle it’s about 30 feet long.

Leap of Faith

The Leap of Faith obstacle will have you jumping to a cargo net suspended over a water pit. From there you will have to transition to a slanted pole and slide down to safety. This sounds easy but you will need dexterity, upper body strength, and faith in your abilities.

Funky Monkey

The Funky Monkey is Tough Mudder tougher variation of the so loved monkey bars obstacle. You will begin going up on the ascending runs, in the beginning, switching to a variation of spinning wheels and/or descending pipes at the end. Do not forget, you will be suspended over the water pit. This obstacle will challenge your grip, upper body strength.

Everest 2.0

The Everest 2.0 it’s a team-based obstacle. You have to run up a muddy and slippery ramp.

Blockness Monster

The Blockness Monster it’s just a pure fun obstacle. Climb over this moving block to the other side. You and your team will need communication and momentum to get over this wet obstacle.

Black Widow

The Black Widow obstacle will have you walking on multiple slacklines-type ropes, over and across a water pit. This obstacle will challenge your balance, core, and coordination. Do not take this obstacle lightly or you will get wet.

SAVAGE RACE

I participated in a Savage Race event a few years ago and I was not disappointed. They offer something a little different than other obstacle course races. Savage Race has two different distances, 5k and 10k with 15-27 obstacles respectively. The obstacles are more tightly pack which is great for those who do not like running so much. Here is a list of some of the obstacles you will face on race day.

Twirly Bird

Twirly Bird will challenge your grip and coordination. You will swing from ring grips to a mop-like rope. Careful not to touch the ground or you will have to start again.

Holy Sheet

Holy Sheet will challenge your grip and coordination. From a hanging position, travel across a suspended sheet to a series of cannonball grips. Careful not to touch the ground or you will have to start again.

Inversion Therapy

Inversion Therapy is a fun and challenging obstacle. As you are hanging in a vertical position a few inches from the ground, you have to travel along a fixed pipe to a spinning pipe and finally to a hanging rope ladder.

Savage Rig

Savage Rig claims to have a 50% completion rate and I believe them. To throw you off your game this obstacle will change the position of their rigs, ropes, and hold. You never know what to expect. Enjoy!

Wheel World

Wheel World will test your grip and coordination. Keep the momentum going as you swing from wheel to wheel all the way to the end.

Battering Ram

Battering Ram is basically a pole within a pole. Then, shimmy your way and slide across the obstacle until you hit the bell.

Davy Jones Locker

Stand on the Davy Jones Locker platform, suspended at 15-foot, and take the plunge to a 15-foot deep pool. If you do not how to swim and/or you are afraid of height move on to the next one.

RUGGED MANIAC

Rugged Manias is the most beginner-friendly race on this list. Do not be full, these obstacles will challenge you and give you a great time. You can do the obstacles as many times as you want to with no penalties. I was so proud of my daughter and sister, soon after they completed their first Rugged Maniac. Here is a list of some of the obstacles you will face on race day.

Off the Rails

Off the Rails will test your speed, grip, and coordination. This obstacle requires you to run to a rope, use this momentum to slide on an uphill zip line-like obstacle all the way to the bell.

Vertigo

Vertigo is one of the new 2020 Rugged Maniac obstacles. It’s basically, a massive, 16-foot high cargo net. Good luck getting all the way up there.

Warped Wall

The Warped Wall obstacle will test your determination. Sprint as fast as you can to get to the top of this warped wall and reach out for a helping hand.

Rinse and Repeat

Rinse and Repeat is one of the new 2020 Rugged Maniac obstacles. This is a water obstacle that will have you going over and under a log and a barrier. after you are done, repeat.

Barzan

Barzan will test your grip and coordination. In this obstacle you have to navigate, hanging over a pool of water, across a series of pipes to safe ground.

Pull your Weight

Pull your Weight will test your grip, core, and coordination. Grab the rope and pull to lift a 30-pound barrel all the way to the top.

Go and have FUN

Whatever race you sign up for, you will not be disappointed. So choose a race, grab a friend, go out there and get dirty. Hopefully, I will see you there.