Ray of Sun Adventures Takes on Tough Mudder 5K – Mud, Mayhem & Mighty Team Spirit

Not your typical Saturday 5K. Not even close. This one had mud, electric shocks, 8-foot walls, quarter-pipes, and a whole lot of belly laughs. The Ray of Sun Adventures crew took on the Tough Mudder 5K at Belvoir Castle, and we came out the other side a little bruised, very muddy, and totally buzzing.

We may have started the day clean, but we finished it like glorious swamp creatures, grinning from ear to muddy ear. If you're wondering what it’s like to clamber over obstacles, get dragged up a 13-foot wall by a stranger, or get smacked in the face by your mate mid-lift – read on, friend.

Tough Mudder: Not Your Average Fun Run

Tough Mudder is the ultimate obstacle course challenge. It’s less about speed and more about grit, guts, and teamwork. The 5K course features 12+ wild obstacles, all designed to make you push your limits and laugh hysterically along the way. And while the website says it’s 5K… my Strava had other ideas. By the end? Nearly 8K of jogging, chatting, obstacle-conquering, and snack-hunting.

Honestly, it’s like an adventure playground for grown-ups. A muddy, glorious mess. And we were so here for it.

Meet the Mud Squad

Representing Ray of Sun Adventures: Angelique, Anna, Sarah, and me – Janire. Anna had done a Tough Mudder before, so we naturally made her Team Captain. (Mostly to have someone to blame when we ended up ankle-deep in mystery goo.)

We meant to come up with a proper team name, but… well, we forgot. Classic. Let’s just say Team Organised Chaos has a nice ring to it.

Top Tip: Leave Plenty of Time to Arrive

A little practical heads-up from your friendly muddy blogger: give yourself loads of time to get there and park up. We got stuck in a mega car queue for over an hour trying to get into the Tough Mudder Belvoir Castle car park – we’re talking bumper-to-bumper mud-curious chaos.

We’d originally booked the 12:00–12:45pm wave, but by the time we got through the queue, dropped our bags and found the loos, we’d missed it. The good news? The Tough Mudder team were super chill about it. We simply joined the next wave (1:00–1:45pm), no stress, no grumbling – just more time for nervous giggles and protein bars.

Once you're actually parked, everything is brilliantly organised – signage is clear, the staff are fab, and bag drop, toilets, and starting zones are all easy to find. But trust me on this one: plan to arrive at least 90 minutes before your start time, especially if you want a stress-free lead-up and plenty of time to warm up / panic / pose for photos.

The Race... or Something Like It

Our grand 5K adventure took us about 3 hours – between queuing at obstacles, chatting at water stations, and debating snack strategy. We did some running (mainly downhill), some power walking (especially uphill), and a lot of talking. It was like a walking podcast episode featuring mud, screaming, and spontaneous therapy sessions mid-obstacle.

Teamwork Makes the Mud Work

The best part of Tough Mudder? The people. We made friends throughout the course – complete strangers helping each other, cheering each other on, hoisting, boosting, and offering muddy hands (and the occasional bum push) without hesitation.

Yes, there will be strangers touching your bum – and trust me, you’ll be grateful for it when you’re halfway up a wall, legs flailing, and gravity is threatening to ruin your day. It’s all in good, supportive spirits. There were more men than women overall, but it was so refreshing to see everyone helping everyone – women hoisting men, men hoisting women, full-on teamwork with zero ego.

At one point, a guy got stuck on Hero Walls, and without hesitation, Angelique and I ran over to boost him up. Ten out of ten for gratitude and hilarious awkwardness.

Favourite Obstacles: Mud, Muscles, and Madness

Here’s the lowdown on some of my personal top (and most traumatic) obstacle moments:

🧡 Everest

A huge, slick 13-foot quarterpipe. Honestly, I didn't think I’d make it – but I smashed it first time! Ran fast, jumped high, grabbed a helping hand, and was hauled up like an action hero. Still buzzing from this one.

💪 Hero Walls

These 8-foot beasts were a real test of teamwork. I played base layer, letting the girls step on my thigh, then my shoulder to get up. As Anna reached for the top, she accidentally smacked me in the face. I'd already got grit in one eye, so now the other was under attack- i was left blind for a few seconds. There were serious belly laughs – and don’t worry, I was fine.

🧱 Block Ness Monster

Pure joy. Huge rotating blocks in waist-deep water that require full teamwork and upper body strength. We had to push, pull, and roll over together. Utter chaos – but so much fun.

🕳️ Mud Mile

Deep, rolling mud trenches that you climb in and out of. We were slipping, sliding, and sinking like pros. If you love mud (and we do), this one’s a winner.

🐍 Kiss of Mud

Crawling through sludge under barbed wire with just 14 inches of space. The choice is mud or blood. We went all in for the mud – obviously. It’s called Tough Mudder, not Mildly Uncomfortable Dryder.

❌ Most Hated Obstacle: Electroshock Therapy

Let’s talk about Electroshock Therapy – or as I now call it: the devil’s whip.

All the muscles in the world won’t soften the blow of 10,000 volts of electricity. I got shocked twice – once in the chest, which felt like getting zapped by a defibrillator set to “mild panic”, and once on the head. It was intense, and not in a “what a rush” kind of way – more in a “make it stop” sort of vibe.

And just when I thought I might have to roll out of there like a stunned potato, the wind picked up and blew the wires sideways. I took that as divine intervention and sprinted for my life.

The spectators love this one. The participants? Not so much. A true rite of passage… that I will never do again voluntarily, thanks.

Charity, Celebrations, and Community Spirit

One thing we noticed (and loved) was how many people were doing Tough Mudder as a charity fundraiser. So many vests, t-shirts and teams running in honour of loved ones or causes they care about. We didn’t get organised enough this year to fundraise ourselves (note to self for next time), but in 2026, when we take on the 15K, I’d love to do it for charity.

Also… shoutout to the stag and hen parties on course. Muddy veils and sashes? Iconic. Drunken grooms-to-be rolling in the dirt? Even better.

The Finish Line: Glorious Carnage

After hours of madness, we crossed the finish line triumphant – filthy, battered, and euphoric. And yes, we earned every bit of the finisher swag:

• 🏅 Medal – Mud-splattered and glorious.

• 👕 Shirt – Already a favourite.

• 🧡 Headband – Worn with pride.

• 🍻 Drink – Nectar of the mud gods.

Showers and changing rooms were available too, which saved our poor car seats.

Next Year: We’re Doing the 15K

We’re already planning our comeback – and we’re levelling up. 15K. Triple the distance. Double the chaos. And this time, we’re fundraising, bringing a bigger team, and maybe even remembering to come up with a proper team name. Maybe.

This beast of a course features 15 kilometres of trail running and 20+ epic obstacles. The 15K is where some of Tough Mudder’s most iconic obstacles come out to play, including:

🧗‍♂️ Funky Monkey – Monkey bars, but make them slippery.

💦 Cage Crawl – You, submerged in water, pulling yourself through a cage on your back. Claustrophobes, look away.

⚡ Electric Eel – Think Electroshock Therapy… but low-crawling style. Shocking in every sense.

But don’t worry – it’s not a race. There’s no clock, no podiums, and no pressure. It’s just you, your teammates, and a community of muddy strangers all working together to get to the finish line. Whether you crush it or crawl it, you earn that iconic orange headband with pride.

And yes – you still get the glorious finish line goodies.

So if you're up for something epic, challenging, and completely ridiculous in the best way – the 15K is calling.

Want in? Come get gloriously filthy with us. We promise we’ll help you over the walls – and only accidentally smack you in the face if we really love you!!

Register your interest in the 2026 Tough Mudder 15k HERE!

Final Thoughts from the Mud Pit

Don’t just take my word for it – here’s what some of the Ray of Sun Mud Squad had to say about their Tough Mudder experience:

“What I preferred about the Tough Mudder was the team spirit and team work. I loved how our team of 4 helped each other through all the obstacles. Overcoming the Skidmarked is one example of where our team collaboration was tested. The Whole experience was a lof of fun and we laughed endlessly. I would definitely do it again!”– Angelique, Fearless Climber & Professional Bum Booster

Tough Mudder was muddy, hilarious, painful, heartwarming, occasionally electric (literally), and totally unforgettable. It reminded me that strangers can become teammates in seconds, that laughter is the best way to power through discomfort, and that sometimes… getting your bum pushed by a muddy stranger is exactly what you need.

If you’re on the fence? Jump it. Into a pit of mud. With us.

🧡