Tough Mudder: London South
It was a long way to go, but in the end turned into a very successfuly weekend. A total of 45k over 5 runs, no injuries, no post event aches or pains….only slight negative is that my obstacle technic needs work…especially the walls and Everest.
Result record
- Advertised distance
- 45.0 km
- Obstacles
- 21
Compare First Mud, Saturday 15k
Only like-for-like runs in the 15K group are available.
First Mud, Saturday 15k
Recorded during the event and imported from the activity file. GPS and biometric values are device-recorded estimates rather than official race timing.
The route
Interactive GPS trace shown in Tough Smudge yellow. Satellite tiles are supplied by Esri; the standard map uses OpenStreetMap. Drag to pan and use the controls to zoom or switch background.
Heart rate through this view
Course elevation
Pace against distance
Kilometre by kilometre
| KM | Split | Pace | Avg HR | Climb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:08 | 8:08/km | 135 bpm | 1 m |
| 2 | 7:16 | 7:16/km | 158 bpm | 2 m |
| 3 | 7:50 | 7:50/km | 159 bpm | 4 m |
| 4 | 5:49 | 5:49/km | 161 bpm | 0 m |
| 5 | 6:11 | 6:11/km | 161 bpm | 1 m |
| 6 | 6:52 | 6:52/km | 157 bpm | 1 m |
| 7 | 14:17 | 14:17/km | 141 bpm | 16 m |
| 8 | 6:23 | 6:23/km | 156 bpm | 15 m |
| 9 | 7:03 | 7:03/km | 158 bpm | 1 m |
| 10 | 7:29 | 7:29/km | 151 bpm | 0 m |
| 11 | 6:45 | 6:45/km | 150 bpm | 0 m |
| 12 | 8:14 | 8:14/km | 146 bpm | 0 m |
| 13 | 7:39 | 7:39/km | 150 bpm | 1 m |
| 14 | 11:49 | 11:49/km | 145 bpm | 1 m |
The Story Behind the Result
Twinkle Toes
Balance
Hero Walls
Walls
Augustus Gloop
Climbing · Water
Killa Gorilla
Climbing
Kiss of Mud
Crawling · Mud
The Block Ness Monster
Water
Pyramid Scheme
Climbing
Electric Eel
Electrical
Mudderhorn
Climbing
Everest
Walls
Cage Crawl
Water
Electroshock Therapy
Electrical
Saturday First Mud
19 September 2026 · 15k
Twinkle Toes
Balance
Twinkle Toes is a deceptively difficult obstacle for me. Up to today, I’ve never cleared this in full, I think the furthest I’ve ever got across is probably about half way, and that was on my first encounter at Yorkshire.
The obstacle isn’t particularly hard, but I think it’s the inital ascent that catches me off guard, so that by the time I get to the horizontal beam I’m already unbalanced. I thought i would take my time with this, but unfortunately I only managed to get a couple of steps along the beam and then lost my balance. I think at future runs, I need to start to take my time, and make sure I clear it.
Hero Walls
Walls
Did I get over the walls? Yes I did! Did I do it on my own? No! Thanks to the Mudder who was with me who gave me a hand over each wall. I have to apologise that I didn’t stay at the top and help him over. LEsson learnt for Manchester
Mud Mile
Mud
Well this seemed like a scaled own version! I’m almost certain that when I was in the muddy trough, the top of the peak was only at eye level while I know (as I have a picture) that at Badminton the trough to peak miust have been a good 10 foot.
Augustus Gloop
Climbing · Water
I was looking forward to my encounter with Augustus Gloop and was one of the reasons why I have taken swimming googles…but now I have encountered it, I know googles aren’t needed. For me there needs to be more water!! The most difficult part of this obstacles was getting my foot to the first run as it was higher than you would think. But once on the ladder, it is nice and easy.
Pole Dancer
Strength
Completed, without issue.
As I don’t have significant upper body strenght I struggle to do this at both Yorkshire and South West, but here I decided I would pull my legs up to the bars, and go on all 4s across…..and guess what, it works. Is it cheating? Well no, instructions are to get over without your feet touching the ground.
Killa Gorilla
Climbing
So this is my second encounter, but missed it at Yorkshire as I got lost. And although I missd at Yorkshire, it wasn’t that much of a struggle here….not too steep, not that big, could have been worse.
Kiss of Mud
Crawling · Mud
So this obstacle at Yorkshire was great, no issue, but since it has always been too rocky! This time was no difference. It seemed to be lower than previous encounters, but the ground was very rocky…it felt like they had mixed gravel in with the mud. Not a difficult obstacle, just significantly uncomfortable.
The Block Ness Monster
Water
This obstacle never fails to be enjoyable. Always brings out team work, and I’m getting a bit of an old hand here, so whoever is in the water with me, is getting over, I don’t leave anyone behind here.
Pyramid Scheme
Climbing
This is one fo the obstacles that on First Mud, or early runs is great, there are a few people around, and everyone works together. At later runs, there is massive queues and its just a mess.
Hangin’ Tough
Hanging / grip
Upper body failure! I need to work on my upper body strength and then I’m sure I will be able to complete this obstacle.
Texas Hold’em
Balance
First encounter. An upturned V on a rocking horse base. Don’t like it.
Stairway to Heaven
Climbing
Nice vertical cargo net climb. Not difficult and easily cleared.
Netflicks & Chill
My first encounter of this obstacle and first impressions, not a bad obstacle. Would have preferred it to be possibly twice the length and maybe a little tighter. Definitely could become one of my favourite obstacles.
Skidmarked
Nice wall climb. Trickiest part of the obstacle is getting onto the obstacle. I think this could be improved by increasing the number of rows of walls.
Pitfall
Mud
Another first for me. A bit of a let down in all honesty. Walking through a water filled trench with randomly varying depth holes hiding under the water. I would have enjoyed this more if the pits where larger and deeper. The difficulty with this obstacle is when you’re in a pit, and then have to step up, because you can’t see that, you scuff your shins which is quite painful. Not a difficult obstacle, just uncomfortable.
Well Swung
Hanging / grip · Water
Another fun obstacle and a first encounter. The handle that you jump towards does seem to be a a long way awy and very high, but even shortie me reached it, and then the momentum from the jump means the cattle bell was easily rung.
Electric Eel
Electrical
Second encounter, and thankfully this time one of the electrodes didn’t get me square into the middle of the forehead.
Mudderhorn
Climbing
Another obstacle that needs assistance at the moment to complete. It’s that first 10 ft that needs help, but then a relatively easy obstacle to get over.
Everest
Walls
I hate this obstacle. I need to complete it, unassisted. I’ve never completed this.
Cage Crawl
Water
Love this obstacle, a nice cool down and a nice swim. The grotty bit is the mopheads hanging down in 2 rows between cage. Not difficult, easy to complete
Electroshock Therapy
Electrical
Never really been badly shocked here, but I don’t like the thought of it.
Saturday 5K
19 September 2026 · 5K
Electric Eel
Electrical
The map for the event shows Electric Eel being on the 5k run….but I don’t think it was.
Sunday First Mud
20 September 2026 · 15K
Netflicks & Chill
Skidmarked
Sunday 11am 5K
20 September 2026 · 5K
Electric Eel
Electrical
The map for the event shows Electric Eel being on the 5k run….but I don’t think it was.
Sunday 12pm 5K
20 September 2026 · 5K
Electric Eel
Electrical
The map for the event shows Electric Eel being on the 5k run….but I don’t think it was.