On Saturday 21^st June 2014, 8 RPM’ers showed their true mettle by competing in the Auckland Tough Guy/ Tough Gal competition at Woodhill Equestrian Centre. The pre-race socialising built good spirits and team motivation. Mr Incredible was even on hand to photobomb the team photos.

        

Ready for the off, with the 10 second countdown seemingly lasting for ever as the nerves and excitement of the day unleashed as a rush of energy , everyone was keen, with their trainers taped onto their feet and their thermals tucked in.

All dressed in green, the tough Guys and Gals trawled through mud and swamps around the 6km course, climbing under and over various obstacles along the way. The team spread out across the course with shouts from the front runners, “Come on RPM” encouraging the back runners to keep on going.

The marshals were on hand to help anyone in dire need, or in some cases to push runners back in to the quagmire, should they try and make an early escape from the black river!

Along the way there was some electric shock therapy, just to ensure madness hadn’t set in, and a muddy plunge pool cold enough to take your breath away. There were high fences to scale and long dark tunnels to commando crawl through. But all the way through, there was one feature that just didn’t end… MUD, Mud and more MUD!!

        

As the team regrouped at the finish line for more photos and a well-earned drink, reflecting on the event and the impending “cold shower before you can have a hot shower” scenario. The team all agreed it had been masses of fun and would certainly be on the agenda for next year.

Well done, Aaron D, Johan W, Karyn H, Joanna B, Simon E, Steve B, Mike G and Kerry B.

For more information on the Tough Guy Challenge click here. We’ll see you there!

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