They certainly have to work hard for their medals in Brutal Events – described on their website as: "Seriously tough off-road running featuring water, mud, hills, and more!"

The latest challenge for those who love glutinous, squelchy mud – and for their laundry systems – was Brutal Bagshot on Saturday (28 January) attended by 200 masochists, who were evenly distributed between the 5K (one lap) and 10K (two laps) options.

Brutal Events was started in 2009 by three ex-military men who decided they wanted to offer a different trail running experience. A tough, off-road run using purely natural obstacles and making the most of the terrain available. No artificial obstacles, flames, or gimmicks, just brutal running! 

The calendar of events now stretches to eight race days, usually exploiting the terrain offered by military training grounds. Each venue brings something slightly different to challenge you. Brutal Bagshot takes place on the Army Alpine Driving Training circuit near Chobham Ridge Rifle Range. 

The fast, flat start lulls competitors into an entirely false sense of what is to follow, with many and varied climbs, the spectator's favourite zigzags, waist-deep bogs, and slippery descents. And all that is repeated on lap two for the 10K exponents!

This year's top three in the 5K were Sarah Gillam (35:52), Jake Ellerington (37:47) and Kevin Ellerington (38:00) – yes, there were a few red faces among the 43 men who were beaten by the female race winner!

There was no buck passing in the 10K men's race, won by the Royal Navy's Alexander Buck in 1:00:05 – so close to maintaining an exceptional 6:00 per kilometre pace. Ramunas Uikys (1:03:41) and David Crowder (1:03:53) were the closely matched runners-up. 

The women's 10K top three were Ileia Spyropoulou (1:15:48), Louise Markham (1:23:48) and Alison Moore (1:34:50) as 91 finished in 2:13:17.

Results can be viewed via runABC South race listing here.

Image courtesy Brutal Running on Facebook