Tough muddy event celebrates 10yrs

Mud pits, a wobbly bridge and swamp crossings will be part of the Burgen Tough Guy and Gal Challenge during the next three weekends as thousands of competitors take part in the event.

Rotorua is the home of the extreme off-road event, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

Operations and sponsorship manager Michael Kelly said numbers were up for this year's event. "It's become a bit of an iconic event in the winter calendar."

Two events were held in Rotorua last year, but a third was added this year due to overwhelming demand.

The three identical events will be held over the next three Saturdays.

Each has a capacity for 2000 entries and competitors can choose between the Classic Hits 6km course or do two laps as part of the Big Ben 12km course.

Mr Kelly said this Saturday's event had already sold out.

He said costumes were a massive part of the race, with prizes awarded to the best dressed. "It's become the Wellington Sevens of running events."

Mr Kelly said the event was as social or competitive as entrants wanted to make it.

"At some points you'll be up to your knees in mud and it's pretty sticky. Having to pull your limbs out is quite taxing."

Organiser Murray Fleming said the majority of competitors in the Rotorua event were from out of town.

"Rotorua is a magnificent destination to travel to in the weekend. People tend to come from all over the country."

Mr Fleming has been involved in organising the event since the first challenge 10 years ago, which had 420 entries. He said different venues were used and more obstacles were added each year to keep it fresh.

He said the event was very popular. "The atmosphere is just so positive and so different to anything else in the country. So people come back and they bring a lot of their friends."

The total number of competitors nationwide is expected to reach 11,000, with more than half of these in Rotorua.

Events have already taken place in Wellington, Auckland and Palmerston North.

Mr Kelly said the competition had so far been blessed with good weather.

"It's cleared up in the days before, which makes for perfect Tough Guy conditions. But if it's raining it'll be just as fun."

Burgen Tough Guy and Gal Challenge

• 
  When: Saturdays August 4, 11 and 18, 8.30am to 2pm
• 
  Where: Lakes Ranch outdoor pursuit and equestrian centre, 15 minutes east of Rotorua
• 
  After party: The Kingsgate Hotel from 5.30pm
• 
  Entries: $60 per person or $50 per person for bulk entries of 20 or more people