Tough Guy

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Are You Tough Enough?

Rob / 01.02.2004

Only Billy Wilson (aka Mr. Mouse) would advertise a race on January 32nd and get over 3000 people turn up to put themselves through an ordeal which would leave them battered and bleeding, hypothermic, and with mud in every orifice. And that race could only be Tough Guy.

The fields where the race takes place are part of the Tetenhall Horse Sanctuary and it’s to put hay into the mouths of the residents that Billy runs the race. That’s how it began, in a low key way many years ago, but now the race has a life of it’s own. Runners travel from all over the UK and the world to take part, and there were press from all over the world too, all gathered in a very muddy field near Wolverhampton.

Not that the success has gone to Billy’s head at all. “It was divine intervention,� he said. “I asked Jesus, the original Tough Guy, and my prayers were answered. To avoid the freezing weather we had to set the date on the 32nd. Everyone said I was mad, but it worked! Divine intervention!�

There was no doubting the luck with the weather. After the recent big freeze, and the previous day’s gale force winds, the temperature was positively balmy for February … sorry January! And the downpours and snow melt had flooded the course, making it muddy enough even for the organising team. (If it’s been dry they make it muddy!) The race had come in the calm between storms, and it stayed dry, bright and warm.

Tough Guy is a cross country race like no other, more obstacle course than anything else, but on a vast scale, and with challenges that would make the Royal Marines think twice. Yet it started out as a simple run. “The first one was just a run round the muddy fields,� said Colin Hubbard, who has done every race in it’s 17 year history. “Yet, we were amazed to find ourselves on the front page of ‘The Wolverhampton Star’, and look at it now. Every year Billy thinks up more ideas, making it harder and harder, but he’s a good fella really.�

“Still, I don’t know why I come back to do it. I’ve done 25 marathons and none compares to this. You’re so tired at the end as everything takes it out of you. The water, the cold, the obstacles, everything. At least it’s not cold today. We’ve had to break ice on the water before now and that cuts the skin off your shins. This is namby pamby weather!�See All Event Posts