Thousands take part in Tough Mudder competition

ATTICA, Ind. (WLFI) - Electroshock therapy, swamp stomp, and twinkle toes. All of these strange obstacles were part of the Tough Mudder competition at the Badlands Off Road Park in Attica on Saturday. 

According to Tough Mudder's website, the obstacles were created by British special forces and thousands said they travel to take part in the challenge so they can call themselves Tough Mudders. 

"We drove here from Decatur, Illinois, " said Tough Mudder participant Shad Edwards. "So, it was the closest one in this area, so we wanted to come out and have fun again here in Attica, Indiana."

Participants who tackled the 12-mile obstacle course noticed the lack of rain for the past couple of weeks had a big effect on the mud. 

"I thought it was going to be muddier," said Tough Mudder participant Matt McNicholas. "It was really dusty out there. So, like you're running behind somebody and you just get dust kicked up in your face."

Tough Mudder officials said they had to reroute the course to run through more creeks and rivers because the dry weather has made making mud a challenge.

Officials said the course was still pretty muddy and much cooler with 80 percent of the course in wooded areas and shade. Yet, participants said dust and hot weather won't stop them from being a part of the Tough Mudder competition.

"Even though you sometimes aren't running with your team, there's a lot of comraderie," said Tough Mudder participant Karim Oliart. "I mean, people you don't know on the course are helping each other."

"That's what it's all about," said Edwards. "You help people that are on your team, and then you help other people who aren't on your team. I'm sure both of us will do it again."