Passionate mud run comes to Nanjing

Contestants seem to be having more fun than a tough time. [Photo/Xinhua]

Thousands of people got down and dirty at a mud run in Nanjing's Shiqiu Film and TV Base on July 9 and 10.

Over an 8km obstacle course, participants were tested on their ability to run, climb, jump, crawl and muscle their way through a series of quagmires to the finish line.

Tough mudders who steered their way to victory had to contend with 35 obstacles, including a chest-deep mud pit, chilly ice water plunge pool and a crawl through electrified wires.

Finishers of the Mud Run in Nanjing pose for a group photo with their medals. [Photo/Xinhua]

Three radio hosts from Jiangsu Traffic Radio, one of the event's sponsors, were among those who took part in the grueling event celebrating the station's 16th anniversary. The traffic radio reported rescue and relief news of the tornado disaster in Yangcheng in late June and decided to donate 10 yuan ($1.5) from the entry fee of every participant to go towards reconstruction work in tornado-hit areas.

Xuanjia Flyingbird Music Festival was held alongside the Mudrun, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Zhou Quan, general manager of Beetle Sports, said that most people had an extraordinary experience at the Nanjing Mud Run and many would register for the Shanghai Mud Run.

Various incarnations of mud runs have sprung up around the globe, including popular events such as Tough Mudder in the US and Spartan Race in the UK.

This year's Mudrun events in China are hosted by Beijing Beetle International Sports & Culture Co and will appear in seven cities, including Beijing and Shanghai.

"More cities will have mud runs in the future," said Huang Sichen, founder of Beetle Sports.