Think Tough Mudder is just for muscled marathoners and late-20s gym junkies? Think again! More than 300 fierce over 50s are confirmed to take part at next month’s Tough Mudder SEQ, proving age is certainly no barrier to getting down and dirty. Meet some of this year’s inspirational Mature Mudders.
Name: Terry
Age: 72
Location: Beerwah
Mudders Completed: 2
“About three years ago I was overweight and unfit. My daughters always keep me up to date on what they’re up to and if I feel like it, I’ll join in. They’d been doing Tough Mudder for about five years so I decided to give it a go too. I got hooked.
This will be my third year in a row. It’s a fantastic thing. As a result of training for Tough Mudder I feel so much better and I’m able to do everyday things better. I used to have arthritis and I don’t get that anymore; my blood pressure is better; I don’t get gout anymore.
I guarantee, if some of these oldies got off their backsides they’d be feeling a hell of a lot better. You’re at the age now when you can start doing stuff.
You need to have a goal if you want to achieve it. Set yourself a goal of a time limit or a certain number of obstacles you want to complete. Push yourself just one step further than you have before. My goal this year is trying to run up the hills.
What I love is that everyone gives me a hand…That’s the best part of Tough Mudder – everyone looks out for each other.”
(bottom 3 from left)
Name: Sharon
Age: 52
Location: Agnes Waters
Mudders Completed: 1
“I lost my daughter Amber to renal failure in October 2017. Her twin sister Dannielle wanted to start something in her memory. Even though Amber struggled with her health, she was still very active in awareness-raising and fundraising. She was out to help other people more than herself.
In 2018, we decided to do Tough Mudder to raise awareness about kidney disease and funds for Kidney Australia. Our team was called “Just Kidneying Around” in honour of Amber. She had a really weird sense of humour; she always saw the funny side of things. We raised nearly $4,000 in our first year and hope to top that this year.
When I heard about Tough Mudder, I thought it was just this big challenge for fit people. But when I did it, it was just about having fun and making a fool of myself. I blew the ass out of my pants last year. This year, I’m going to wear three layers!
The way I look at it, age is what you let it be. If you tell yourself you’re old, you’ll be old. If you want to be young, you’ll be young.”
(5 from left)
Name: Marian
Age: 62
Location: Carindale
Mudders Completed: 1
“I’m an anesthetist at Redlands Hospital in Queensland. My department did our first Tough Mudder last year as a team-building exercise. There were about 10 of us, with me being the oldest. It certainly bridged the age gap for me which I love. This year we’ve got a new team including some first-timers. One of our team mates has a Down Syndrome child so we’ll be raising money for Down Syndrome.
When I told my family I was doing Tough Mudder they thought I was crazy. They said I was too old, and I thought, ‘I’m going to show them!’. I did, and I’m doing it again. I’m doing a little bit of preparation but it’s not that important. It’s not a race or a competition, it’s just something for fun. If you approach it from that point of view, you’ll love it.
I’m excited for the new obstacles this year, but also to see how we’re going to manage the full course. Last year we went in not knowing what to expect, but this year we’ve got knowledge and experience. It’s good to know that if you’ve got your team with you anything is possible. And not just your own team, but the other teams too. You’re all in it together.
My advice for Mudder Virgins is to just have fun and live the day. The whole experience is just fantastic.”
Name: Anne Dicton
Age: 62
Location: Townsville
Mudders Completed: 2
“I got roped into Tough Mudder by my daughter and her partner, who’s a personal trainer. At first I was like, ‘Oh shit! I can’t do that!’ It was definitely taking me out of my comfort zone. It took a little bit of convincing, but in the end I just thought, you’ve got to accept the challenge. If you don’t, you’ll think ‘Why didn’t I?’ and you’ll be forever wondering about it.
I was most concerned about the obstacles but when I saw what they actually are it just looked like a whole lot of fun. My first Tough Mudder was in Brisbane at Mount Cotton in May. I was still apprehensive standing at the start line but once I got into it the worry disappeared. I absolutely loved it. So much so that I got talked into doing the next one in Melbourne.
I enjoyed it all. I enjoyed the mud, I enjoyed the water, I even enjoyed Arctic Enema! I face-planted in the mud during Electro Shock Therapy. My daughter was standing at the end of it with tears of laughter. In Melbourne, I didn’t go anywhere near it.
I’m really proud to be one of more than 300 ‘Mature Mudders’ taking on the challenge in Queensland next month. To me, age doesn’t define who you are or what you can achieve.”
Create your own Tough Mudder memories by registering today! Find out more.