I think the event organiser’s slogan must have been the reason that Debbie Goy and Barrie Freeman from Billingsgate’s Warrington depot signed up for this year’s 10k assault course.
Rough Runners is the brain child of a group of us who always wanted to go on Gladiators. Turns out we didn’t do enough steroids, so we built our own course instead! Take on our sweeper arms and you’ll see just how quick your reflexes are. Try in vain to join the 1% who succeed on our big red balls. Triumph on the Travelator and fulfil your childhood dreams (if you’re anything like us). Our event will be the closest thing you’ll find to doing Wipe-out, Ninja Warrior, Gladiators and Takeshi’s Castle rolled into one. 100,000 Roughians to date have had the pleasure.
So we asked Debbie who from Warrington took up the challenge. “Along with me and Barrie, Dave Roberton, Stuart Roberton, Ben B – and a couple of my friends, to up the female quota, formed the Bishopsgate team nicknamed The Tequila worms. (I’ll explain why later) We also entered a children’s team who completed in their own event. It really turned out to be a good fun family event. Unlike Tough Mudder where we were crawling through gallons of mud, Rough Runners was all about jumping over giant inflatable things” “In this summer’s heat, I asked?” With a quick nod Debbie said, “We are always looking for fun challenges to keep us motivated and thankfully we happened to have a cooler / wet day that day”
So what did our newest recruit Ben B have to say about his new Bishopsgate experience? “I keenly accepted an invitation from Debbie Goy (Bishopsgate SHEQ Manager) to join in with the rest of the gang at Arley Hall near Nantwich in Cheshire. Our team named The Tequila Worms was made up of several Bishopsgate Warrington co-workers as well as friends and a few children who would tackle a shorter course.
A week earlier I realised I didn’t own a pair of running shoes or shorts as sport hasn’t been a hobby for too many years. I went shopping but had moments of doubt regarding my stamina and strength in tackling a 10km run and a complex set of obstacles.
The dry weather had crusted the field’s solid and the morning’s rain left a very slippy surface. We ran a marked route which really was quite hazardous underfoot. We ‘worms’ all stuck together and kept our spirits high. We all completed the course and received our medals.
For me the best prize was feeling part of the team and the BBQ at Barrie’s (Bishopsgate Warrington Assistant Depot Manager and Trainer) shortly afterwards”
Debbie added, “Ben was actually the dark horse who told us he didn’t even own a pair of running shoes when he signed up – then sprinted off leaving us in his dust” Was it the most fun you can have with your clothes on? “It really was a great day and the adults had fun celebrating with the occasional tequila shots; we were The Tequila Worms after all!”
Next event is Urban Revolution in September; watch this space!
