The Tough Guy, as seen on TV, is a world-renowned SAS-style race that combines a fearsome bog, dyke, barrier and fire assault course with a long run over muddy fields.

With thousands of drenched wannabe Tarzans competing each year in near freezing temperatures, the hypothermia count is unsurprisingly rather high -- but all in a good cause, the proceeds helping to fund a nearby horse sanctuary.

This year Ludlow Runners defied the race motto 'Those who dare enter' and despatched a whole coachload of competitors and supporters to Mr Mouse Farm near Wolverhampton where the event has been hosted for a decade or more. Despite cracking a rib, and not with laughter, during the race, Ludlow's veteran runner Russell Mapp performed brilliantly to finish in 113th place in an excellent time of 1hr 30mins 30secs before spending a further hour being treated in the medical tent.

Other club finishers were: Simon Powney (356), Andrew Spreadborough (396), Simon Norwood (427), Jon Utley (445), Richard Hornsby (471), Joanne Sharp (498), Chris Good (621), Graham Monteith (766), Robert Monteith (820), Alan Dallow (883), Sonia George (1,378), Mark Wadsworth and Gemma Morgan (1,561) and Kirsty Livingston (1,834). To put all these sterling efforts into proper context, there were approximately 4000 very wet and muddy finishers (many of whom may well have since sought counselling!).