By John Connell

Last updated at 10:40, Tuesday, 23 October 2012

A gruelling six-mile obstacle course through mud may not be everyone’s idea of fun.

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But the 400 people taking part in Saturday’s No Ego Challenge in the grounds of Greystoke Castle, near Penrith, appeared to enjoy themselves.

The intrepid participants were forced to ‘leave their ego at home’ as they clambered over cargo nets, waded knee-deep though mud and squeezed through tyre tunnels, many of them to raise money for charity.

The event, which is a first for Cumbria, was organised by 51-year-old Cockermouth businessman Brian Lee.

He discovered the popularity of the challenge and adventure races while living in America.

Originally from Cockermouth, he moved to Illinois with his family in 2002 where he ran football tournaments and was involved in challenge races.

He said: “I’m very pleased. We found the location very late and we had been looking for somewhere to get if off the ground.

“We only secured it in August so we didn’t get as much time as we wanted. People said I was nuts for doing it.

“About 99 per cent of people said it was fantastic.”

The course, which included 25 obstacles and several steep hills, was exceptionally muddy in places.

The challenge, not for the faint-hearted, tested competitors’ stamina, strength and agility to the limit.

Mr Lee added: “There was a 3ft pool of water and everyone thought it was just a puddle and a couple of people went splashing forward headfirst which was hilarious.”

It is understood that the winner was a fell-runner from Keswick who finished the race in 45 minutes.

Challenges like this are becoming increasingly popular in the UK.

Mr Lee plans to hold a similar event in Cumbria next year and also wants to develop mud, urban and beach courses elsewhere in the country. The event was co-sponsored by Elite Fitness, of Penrith.

First published at 10:24, Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk