Tough Mudder Obstacle Course

Tough Mudder runners make their way across slicked monkey bars over cold water in the hills near Temecula.

Tough Mudder runners make their way across slicked monkey bars over cold water in the hills near Temecula.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

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The Tough Mudder is billed as “the toughest event on the planet.” It is a more extreme example of the trend of muddy assault courses. The 11-mile course includes greased monkey bars, dangling live power lines and masses of mud. Tough Mudder events are hard-core runs designed by British Special Forces to test all-around strength, stamina, mental grit and camaraderie.

Tough Mudders

After being sprayed with a fire hose, runners slide down the hill during the “greased lightning” course in Temecula.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

Tough Mudder competitor David Duong, right, of Los Angeles, lets out a yell as he falls in the mud after being shocked in the “electroshock therapy” course.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

A masked David Duong of Los Angeles gives a victory shout as he finishes the Temecula hills course.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

A Tough Mudder runners can get help from teammates to scamble up a ramp.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

One competitor doesn’t need help as he makes a running leap up the ramp.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

A Tough Mudder runner celebrates making it to the top after a running leap up a near-vertical ramp.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

Tough Mudder runners make their way over water in the “spread eagle” wall course.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

A competitor endures shocks as he runs through the mud, water and hay bales.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

After getting shocked, a runner tumbles into the mud.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

Teamwork gets runners over a rope wall.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

Members of the Mud Flaps team help each other cross the rope wall.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

Carrying heavy logs up and down a hill is part of the competition.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

A Tough Mudder runner celebrates making it to the top of the “cliff hanger” course, where they are sprayed with water as they climb a hill near Temecula.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

A competitor gets a mud bath after sliding down the hill on the “greased lightning” course.  (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Tough Mudders

Exhaustion shows at the end of the “electroshock therapy” obstacle.   (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)