Kapow conquers Tough Mudder
ELEVEN local athletes inspired by burns victim Turia Pitt’s strength and determination completed Sydney’s Tough Mudder event in record time on Saturday October 12.
The grueling challenge is considered one the toughest events in the world with 20-kilometres of mud, high voltage electric shock obstacles, mud crawls and ice baths designed by the British Special Forces.
The team slipped and slid their way around the course that tests competitors’ strength, stamina and camaraderie all to raise money for Turia.
Team Kapow was made up of Turia’s father Mick Pitt, Graeme Parsons, Jim Doyle, Moo Dath, Melanie Doyle, Susie Wessel, Jeff Mack, Deb Elkins, Brad Parsons, Gail and Steph Wild.
The months of training paid off for the team who completed the punishing course in two-and-half hours with the average team time on the day set at four hours.
Team Kapow’s Steph Wild was impressed with completing the challenge that only 78 per cent of competitors actually finish.
“Tough Mudder was just so personally satisfying,” Mr Wilde said.
“It was a great firstly to raise money for such a good cause and secondly to train for something and then achieve a goal.
“We completed every event together, helping each other over with obstacles and we all ran across that finish line with big grins on our faces.
Kapow achieved beyond their own expectations on the day with the team having various fitness levels and an average age of 44.
Kapow team member Mo Dath enjoyed every minute of the challenge and said the whole team did an amazing job despite the heat of the day.
“Everyone did a terrific job,” Ms Dath said.
“The mud was awesome it made a great sunscreen on a very hot day.
“The temperature reached around 30 degrees so we really looked forward to obstacles like the ice pool plunge.
“That challenge was great right up until you had been in there for a while and then it was like an ice cream headache that goes through your whole body.”
Steph Wild said his favourite challenge throughout the event was the electroshock therapy challenge where the team had to dash through field of live wires.
“That was great,” Mr Wild said.
“Each volt was like you were getting punched and big guys were just hitting the deck.”
Mr Wild said the team was urged on by a cheer squad of more than thirty who traveled from Ulladulla to watch the team from the side lines.
“We couldn’t have done it without their support,” Mr Wild said.
“They were giving us high-fives on the sidelines and it was great.”
In between training for the event Kapow have been busy fundraising with a raffle that raised more than $8000 for Turia.
Last Thursday team members from Kapow gathered to present raffle prize winner Carole Starr with her prize a weekend stay at the Escape Lodge.
Ms Starr lives in Mollymook and plans to use the getaway when the busy summer season is over.
Team Kapow hope that Turia will use the money raised from the raffle to purchase some new sporting equipment.
The team has plans to race in the family friendly mud run event, Stampede, in six weeks time.
Deb Elkins (LEFT), Gail Wild with raffle winner Carole Starr, Escape Lodge Owner Colin Bailie, Mo Dath , Susie Wessel with Kapow’s youngest supporter Balun Wild.
HAPPY AS PIGS IN MUD: Steph Wild, Mick Pitt, Moo Dath, Mel Doyle, Gail Wild, Deb Elkins, Jeff Mack, Brad Parsons, Jim Doyle and Graeme Parsons after they completed the Tough Mudder event.