There are not many races or events that make you sign an actual death warrant which excludes you from suing the organiser should the worse happen when your taking part. Or how many race entries come with through the post with actual risk assessment. It say’s something when it is described as the ‘safest yet most physically and mentally demanding challenge on Earth’. The thought of fire, ice cold water, mud and electrocution are not everyone’s cup of tea. But on January 31st 2010, 4500 like mind(or slightly insane) people assembled at a farm in Perton, Wolverhampton for Tough Guy 2010.

Tough Guy has always been one of things that I said would do some day, normally after a few beers! But last summer while it was still relatively warm and funds were looking healthy, I made the decision to enter, thinking it was good idea at the time!

This event should have been run on the 20th December 2009. After being cancelled twice its here 24th january 2010. Text from Rob Llloyd where are you "near the start" I reply "and me" he lies can't see him anywhere when will Rob tell the truth. No sign of Martin Wallace so I take a photo of Kevin and Rob (in photo gallery soon) they are doing the 1st race for the sub 40 minute elite runners. Close to the off so I jog ok limp down the course to take some photo's. Kevs hoping for 35 minutes and he's racing against the BIG GUYS. Chris Davis is running he holds the course record 28 minutes 52 seconds.

This had become one I wasn't really looking forward to, 10K is such a bind and I'm 15 years too old for it, 4 inches too short and 3 stones too heavy ... but I have paid my 6 squid so its off we go to Telford. Parking was nice and simple and its a cold day, so after a quick shifty through the sports pages in the Sunday rags, lets go and see whats going on.

I take a brisk walk over to the organisers hut to collect my number, its an hour before the race and there are already stick like athletic looking people standing in the queue for the toilets, jogging on the spot, sipping out of Hydrostatic Strontium-ade bottles, nervously looking around ... checking there watches, bless!

I was going to call this "from a spectators point of view" or "when Neil beat Dave again" but no he's getting too big for his running shoes that Neil. Yes this was real cross country although one of the flatest you are likely to run it was the wettest and mudiest. As usual there was the banter before the race about it being cold and what am I doing here I should be at home helping the wife out and silly things like that but I know they just love it. I suppose I didn't help much having 3 layers on and saying how warm it was today and just vest shorts and shoes are only required now the snow has gone. Our club comic (Dave Rowlands) told a few jokes then cheered everyone up with the news he had won a competition in the Daily Mirror for a place in The London marathon and is going to be kitted out with Addidas running gear.