New York women may be known for their stilettos and
perfect blowouts, but lately you’re likely to catch them covered in mud and leaping over fires.
More and more women are competing in extreme races—military or adventure-style events that may include unreasonably tough running terrain, feats of strength, and obstacles like barbed wire fences.
Mud-slogging challenges have become especially popular, according to Malenna Saunders, owner of NYC’s
Phoenyx Fitness, who says that 95 percent of the clients she trains for extreme races are female.
"Women love how fun these are and getting to test their true strength," she says.
What are the best (and craziest) extreme races happening in your neck of the woods?
Here are the top tough-and-muddy seven.
(Photo: Rugged Maniac 5K)
I have been a part of an upcoming race in Erie, Pa. It’s called Beast on the Bay, and is a 12 mile sand run with multiple built and natural obstacles within the mileage.
It’s going to be wet, sandy, and very hard. Designed by my good friend and former Navy SEAL.