'Tough' Coyotes raise money for wounded warriors

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Allen Pickert
  • 190th ARW Public Affairs
How tough are you? Are you sit on the black auto upholstery in August tough? Or, are you Special Forces tough?

A small, tough group of 10 Coyotes joined other Kansas National Guard members and traveled to Beaver Creek, Colorado, this June to test themselves against the Tough Mudder, a race designed to test particpants' toughness and determination.

Designed by British Special Forces, Tough Mudder is billed as "probably the toughest event on the planet" and challenges all-around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie.

At 10 miles long, with elevation changes of several thousand feet, and challenges that are painful, difficult and even dangerous, Tough Mudder is tough enough to challenge anyone.

There are 24 course obstacles in total, two of the tougher ones are swimming, in 33-degree water, underneath floating obstacles, and running through live electrical wires and trying to stay on your feet while taking their shocking jolts.

Simply completing a Tough Mudder is an accomplishment. Not everyone completed the course, but all the Coyotes did. Competitors that finished were welcomed with a beer, fruit and power bars.

The race series, which is held at several locations across the country, promotes and contributes to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization that supports injured service men and women. Last year Mudders raised $650,000. This year their goal is more than $1,000,000.