On a mercifully mild weekend in November, four members of the Rye Police Association and five members of the community teamed up to participate in the Tough Mudder, called by some the most physically demanding event in the world.
On a mercifully mild weekend in November, four members of the Rye Police Association and five members of the community teamed up to participate in the Tough Mudder, called by some the most physically demanding event in the world.
The group trudged through the mud at Raceway Park in New Jersey to help raise money and awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) The worthy organization aims to enlist the public’s aid for programs and services designed to meet the needs of our country’s injured service members. The programs and services are free to men and women who have incurred service-related wounds, injuries, or illness. Knowing the WWP relies heavily on charitable contributions, the Rye Police Association pledged a $250 donation on behalf of each Association member to cross the finish line. Needless to say, the challenge was on.
Tough Mudder travels the country asking its adventure-seeking participants: “Are you tough enough?” This particular adventure, the Tri-State Tough Mudder, happened to be a 12.2-mile course strewn with 31 obstacles designed by the British Special Forces. On the morning of the race, a bone-chilling array of ice baths, lake plunges, cargo nets, mud miles, and “funky” monkey bars immediately fused the group together as a team.
For over three hours they pushed, pulled, lifted, and dragged not only one another, but complete strangers through the muddy terrain. The camaraderie was contagious and not finishing was never an option.
“We were pushed to our limits physically and mentally, yet everyone had a mud-soaked smile plastered on their face,” said Rye Police Officer Mike Kenny. “By mile ten some of us actually seemed giddy, or maybe delirious. The course was so diabolical it knew to stir up some mud just as tattered sneakers began to dry, or throw an obstacle in the way when muscles began to freeze.”
Bruised, battered, muddy, and still smiling, Rye’s heroes crossed the finish line as a team, raising nearly $1,500 for the cause. To date, Tough Mudder has raised over $2 million for the WWP.
“We found the Mudder to be a challenging and slightly insane way to raise money and awareness,” added Officer Kenny. “But, we’re tough enough, proud to be mudders, and ready for the next one!”
