LEXINGTON, Ohio — The spotlight may shine on the obstacle course and the thousands of participants who plan to tackle it, but Tough Mudder organizers have gone out of their way to provide something for everyone this weekend at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
From the new fan-friendly venue — Tough Mudder Ohio was held on the hard-to-navigate grounds surrounding Mansfield’s Lahm Regional Airport the past two years — to the Fruit Shoot Mini Mudder for kids age 7 to 12, spectators will have all sorts of options beginning early Saturday morning.
“It’s amazing how family-friendly they have made the event,” Mansfield & Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau Marketing and Meetings Director Kim Miers said. “Family and friends will have plenty of entertainment options.”
Spectator tickets can be purchased online for $20 ($25 the day of the event). Spectators must also buy a parking pass ($10 for a general parking pass online, $20 event day).
“We’re looking forward to a really great event weekend, with more than 6,000 people coming,” Tough Mudder operations manager Ali Schmidt said. “There are tons of things to do for everyone, whether you are a participants, a spectator or a volunteer.”
New this year is the Fruit Shoot Mini Mudder. Mudders-in-training must be at least 7 years old and 42 inches tall to take on the mile-long course.
“It allows (children) to take part in the camaraderie and teamwork and sense of adventure,” Schmidt said. “Sort of like they get to watch their parents do.
“It’s a really fun place also for spectators to come and see these kids have a great time.”
Spectators can also take advantage of the base area. Food and drinks will be sold and there are also a wealth of sponsor activities. The Mansfield & Richland Convention and Visitors Bureau will have a booth set up.
“We’ll be able to interact with visitors,” Miers said. “Fans will have access to our Mud Deals, which offer discounts to restaurants and other area attractions.”
The main event, of course, is the 10-plus-mile obstacle course. Fans will have a bird’s eye view of Tough Mudder’s most popular obstacles, including Everest, Arctic Enema and Electroshock Therapy.
“The obstacles are a great chance for fans to participate by cheering on the participants and being supportive,” Schmidt said. “We’ve tried to design the course so that if your are coming out as a spectator it’s really easy to get out to some amazing obstacles. We’ll have spectator maps available and spectator routes to get to the obstacles.”
While unwilling to divulge too much information, Schmidt said participants will start on the track. The course will take full advantage of the Mid-Ohio property.
“You get to go through woods and on the track and up and down hills,” Schmidt said. “Something we’re really excited about in 2015 is that now it’s Tough Mudder 2.0 and our obstacles have gotten a little twist. Not only do we have new obstacles, but obstacles from the past years have a new twist.”
It should make for an exciting weekend for spectators and participants alike.
“If you have friends and family running, it’s a cool way to be a part of their day,” Schmidt said.
“We’ve tried to design the course so that if your are coming out as a spectator it’s really easy to get out to some amazing obstacles,” Ali Schmidt.
