THRILL-SEEKERS can leap across giant inflatable balls, dodge spinning arms and race up treadmills when a Total Wipeout-style obstacle course returns to Oxfordshire.

Rough Runner is back at The Great Tew Park near Chipping Norton on May 18 and 19, with participants tackling several challenges across a range of distances. 

The event is based on TV's most iconic gameshows, including Gladiators and Ninja Warrior, with 'Roughians' facing obstacles across distances of five, 10 and 15km.

It is available to people of all ages and fitness levels, from seasoned runners to couch potatoes, while children can take on a specially designed course.

Witney Gazette:

The West Oxfordshire estate provides a stunning backdrop to the mayhem and is one of many idyllic parts of Britain that play host to Rough Runner events.

Read again: Our reporter takes on a mobility scooter obstacle course

Prices start at £55 per person for the Saturday event, while prices for the Sunday event begin at £50.

Children between the ages of seven and 12 can take part for just £15 and discounts are available for those who wish to participate as part of a group or corporate team.

Witney Gazette:

Five obstacles you could encounter:

  • Buoy Zone - similar to Total Wipeout’s famous Big Red Balls. Featuring four orange inflatable balls, runners must leap from ball to ball to avoid getting soaked by falling into the muddy pool of water below.
  • Hang Rough - inspired by the Gladiators event, Hang Tough, an array of overhead gym rings await runners on the 10km and 15km course. Swinging from one ring to the next without losing your grip takes excellent technique.
  • The Revolution - participants must run over an inflatable pipe while attempting to avoid the padded spinning arms trying to send them for an early bath. With arms stretching to the edge of the pipe, not even crawling will save you from being sent into the water in a splash.

Witney Gazette:

  • Swept Off Your Feet - runners must cross seven pedestals as they attempt to avoid a pair of sweeping arms. Excellent speed and balance will help participants negotiate this treacherous obstacle, but always beware the sweeping arms, they are never far behind you.
  • The Travelator - the Rough Runner Travelator, inspired by the famed obstacle on the hit TV show Gladiators, offers competitors the choice of three different speeds as they attempt to race up the treadmill to the finish line and claim victory over the Rough Runner course.

You can sign up at https://roughrunner.com/events/oxford/