WTM First Thoughts

First Thoughts-Part I

The final rules, regulations, and awards came out for the 2013 World’s Toughest Mudder yesterday and the OCR world is buzzing with what’s on deck this year.

The item getting the most attention is this year’s short course. Tough Mudder has decided to take a different approach this year producing a course that is only 5 miles in length. In previous years, the course was closer to 10 miles.

According to the Event Instructions Packet “The course this year has been designed with a focus on rapid obstacle completion and more frequent laps with the intention of making the course more focused on all around athletic ability over straight endurance.

We spoke with a few athletes today to get their first thoughts.

Amelia Boone 2012 – World’s Toughest Mudder 1st place female

I’m excited-time to mix things up. Only fear is potentially having to go through electricity twice as many times. Can’t be good for anyone.

Justin Deiter 2011 & 2012 -World’s Toughest Mudder 2nd place male

I could care less about the length of the track or the number obstacles on it. I see a start and a finish. And the opportunity to do something exceptional in- between. Best wishes to all and may the best man… or woman win.

Margaret Schlachter -Team Shark School

The shorter course at world’s toughest mudder definitely changes strategy going into the race. A five mile course with more obstacles creates different muscle fatigues quickly as well as more time spent in the pit. From doing other lap races pit time can eat away at race time. However at the end of the day it’s still 24 hours and still the best overall endurance athletes will win, those that can endure the obstacles, distance and elements.

Jason Gidusko – Team Lords of Coventry

As a team we were not really fazed by the change, we have adjusted strategy to compensate for the changes in the course and awards structure. Weather will still play a large role in the event. The short course will provide for an intense environment that I’m sure spectators will enjoy. One thing I personally don’t look forward to is the potential of being shocked twice as much as in prior World’s Toughest Mudder races.

Joshua Grant – Team BostonStrongmen

Im cautiously optimistic that the obstacles really will be bigger and badder making the mileage more difficult to come by, and I sincerely hope they will still make us cold again and again.

Sean Meehan – Team BostonStrongmen

I’m concerned about bottlenecking. As far as obstacle heavy and shorter distance that’s not a problem 24 hours is 24 hours but if you’re trying to push for mile awards then bottlenecks will certainly slow that up. This could be interesting or a huge disaster. I’m afraid that if it’s a huge disaster and under built this may be the last year for WTM.

Morgan McKay – 2013 Spartan Ultra Beast 1st place female

I think it will be a cluster f* with all the people, but will be a great advantage for me. I was like whattttt at first, but I think it’s going to be good for me. My strength has always been obstacles

Morgan won this year’s Spartan UltraBeast which Amelia Boone chose to pass on. I asked Morgan her thoughts on facing Amelia at this year’s World’s Toughest Mudder. She told me “I respect her as an athlete, but first place isn’t reserved for her. I believe with hard work and determination, there will be a new winner, and my dream is I will take it.”

Gauntlet thrown.

First Thoughts-Part II

Junyong Pak – 2011 and 2012 World’s Toughest Mudder Champion

I love that this event will become even truer to obstacle form. We caught a glimpse of it at the Spartan World Championships… nobody is going to step into our house and simply run away with it. All the frauds will be put on trial.

Deanna Blegg – 2012 World’s Toughest Mudder 2nd place female, 3rd overall

Adventure racing teaches you to be ready for anything. We often don’t know what the race entails until the day before or sometimes even the morning of the event. 5 miles, 10 miles, 15 mile lap. It doesn’t matter. It is still a 24hr event.

Bryce Wilk – 2012 World’s Toughest Mudder 6th place male

The plan is not to beat Pak, but to push myself to the limit and to never stop moving. The simple plan is to go farther than anyone else.

Mandy Baskin– 2012 World’s Toughest Mudder 3rd place female, 20th overall

I think the course change could swing either way. From a competitor and spectator standpoint, this has the potential to really increase the excitement and intensity, which is a bonus for everyone. Win win. From a Mandy standpoint, I’m really going to miss those peaceful, cold, dark miles in the woods and swamp. But that’s just me . Plus, it might get really boring meeting the same people over and over again on course, although I’m so bad with names, people could make a really fun game out of that. I’m famous for re-introductions.

Corinne Kohlen

I like the short course except for that it means double the electrocution. The more obstacles the better, especially for me. Also being able to pit more frequently will be mentally a relief and will give more chances to change out layers and get adequate nutrition. I’m on a team this year which is a first for me, we have three WTM veterans and 1 newbie. There are a lot of strong teams out there but I think our chances of winning are good, I think we will be on the podium and hopefully surprise some people. One thing is for sure, our competition will be tough, it will be a fight, AND the race itself will be tough. Third times a charm and I’m going out fighting.

Stay on top of all of this year’s action at World’s Toughest Mudder right here.

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Matt B. Davis

is the host of the Obstacle Racing Media Podcast and the author of "Down and Dirty-The Essential Training Guide for Obstacle Races and Mud Runs". He is also the only (known) #wafflehouseelite obstacle racer.