2,000 take on swamps and fire in Cumbrian endurance event
Last updated at 11:44, Monday, 08 August 2011
More than 2,000 athletes battled the Cumbrian elements, plus swamps, barbed wire and fire in their bid to take the crown of Total Warrior in a new endurance course.
Competitors from as far away as Australia headed to Shap this weekend to take part in the 10km and 10-mile challenges.
Total Warrior, Super 10, was dreamt up by two Cumbrian friends who decided the UK’s existing contests just weren’t tough enough.
Andrew Murray and Adam Dickinson had seen what other countries had to offer while they were travelling.
So when they came home they set about creating the ultimate obstacle course at Shap Abbey.
Mr Dickinson said the weekend’s grizzly weather actually added to the experience. He said: “It was unbelievable, fantastic. I think that on the course, the wetter the better!
“The place was rammed, thousands of people were there. I think people went and got changed afterwards and then headed into the local pubs – I think the local pubs did really well, some even ran out of food!”
Super 10 is in its initial year, but the event has attracted attention from all over the world.
“We had entrants from Australia, France, Barcelona and the length of the UK. Someone flew in by helicopter on one of the days and we had three US soldiers here. We don’t think there’s anything else like this out there. Nothing else has the Lake District, and the sort of terrain we have.
“We will have to do one next year, we have no choice!”
He added that soon after the event closed on Sunday, a deluge of praise was posted on its Facebook page.
One poster, Matty Harvey, said: “Massive thanks to all the guys and girls at Total Warrior. Did the 10Km and loved it. I thought the event itself was excellently organised, especially for the first year.”
Ex-military personnel have been working with Andrew and Adam to create the course. It’s aim is to test strength, agility, stamina and mental determination – not speed.
To find out more, visit www.totalwarrior.co.uk.
First published at 11:27, Monday, 08 August 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk
well done to everyone who took the total warrior challenge it certainely was a challenge but great fun too on behalf of the team sandbox warriors from baesystems well done firefighters thought i recognised a few faces from Barrow :) will definately do it again next year
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Fantastic event for a good charity will definately be doing it again next year :)
Posted by Carls T on 12 August 2011 at 19:42