Some people challenge themselves by joining a charity walk. Others make some sensible resolutions on New Year’s Day. For those who want the rush of an extreme challenge, however, there’s the Warrior Dash. Indulge your inner Thor or Wonder Woman with this marathon of blood, sweat, fire and mud.

Held all across the United States and in Canada and Australia, the Warrior Dash is one of the most popular and beloved extreme challenges. Thousands enter every year for a chance to win the coveted Viking helmet. It’s a muddy obstacle course that begins with some easy hurdle jumps, a walk through a creek, a few crawls under some barbed wire, but progressively gets more and more intense. It’s a course that quickly challenges the runners’ fears--starting with a ten-foot slide straight down. After that, it’s challenge after challenge, one of which features fire on a hot summer’s day.

Runners have to jump over the fire blocking their paths, skirting flames that are a foot high. What’s worse is that the only thing to cool their hot feet is the giant mud pit waiting for them at the next obstacle. The challenge is messy, frightening, tiring, and right up some people’s alley. The excitement is enough to entice even the most germaphobic homebody. Participants from all over bring friends and family members to face the challenges together. At the end of the day everyone is a muddy and sweaty mess, but the satisfaction on everyone’s faces cannot be replaced.

 

 

Volunteers wait at the end of the course to hand out medals to each of the runners. An hour after the last wave of runners arrive an award ceremony takes place, recognizing the top 3 overall male and female participants, top 3 in each age division, most ridiculous costume contest, and best warrior beard. It’s true--participants are more than welcome to make their own costumes for the event and don a beard to celebrate the festivities like true warriors. Winners can get either a Warrior helmet, trophy, or prize specific to the city of the event for craziest costume.

To find a Warrior Dash near you or read up about the challenge, check out the Warrior Dash site here.