Tough Mudder, Spartan Race ... why pay to be electrified?
As the craze for obstacle course races comes to Asia, researchers have some reasons why pain is proving popular
Obstacle races such as Tough Mudder and Spartan Race are becoming more and more popular in Asia, but – to the more sedentary among us at least – their appeal might not be immediately obvious.
Tough Mudder, for example, is a particularly gruelling challenge that involves a series of approximately 25 military-style obstacles to overcome in half a day: wading through torrents of mud, plunging seven feet into freezing water and even crawling through 10,000 volts of electrified wires. Injuries have included spinal damage, strokes, heart attacks and even death.
Yet, rather than being discouraged by the company’s warnings of potential injury, the promise of intense pain or even the hefty entrance fee (starting at around US$140), more than 2.5 million men and women worldwide had entered the challenge as of autumn 2016.
Industry experts predict that the obstacle course race industry, comprising other races like Warrior Dash, will reach US$1 billion.
Hong Kong super mum and Spartan Race obstacle course runner discovers it’s never too late to learn a new sport
The Spartan Race made its way to Hong Kong last year, drawing thousands of competitors and will return in April. Tough Mudder will debut in Beijing and Shanghai this year.
