WEST DOVER, VT (April 29, 2011) – On May 7th and 8th Mount Snow will host the largest mass athletic event in Vermont and the seventh largest in the country this year. Planning began for the Tough Mudder in August 2010 and all is rapidly coming to fruition with sold out fields of participants eager to punish themselves for nine miles and 28 obstacles. Every state with the exception of North Dakota is represented in the crowd of over 12,000. Also among those taking on the challenge are TV personalities from shows such as the Bachelor, Bachelorette, Amazing Race, Biggest Loser, Survivor, Big Brother and the Real World.

Participants will be put through a grueling nine mile course that contains 28 obstacles. The course was co-designed by former British Special Forces officers and Mount Snow personnel.
It encompasses everything from freezing cold water to fire to a Vermont themed mystery obstacle to electric shocks. At the end everyone who completes it receives the same reward, a cold beer.

For the Mount Snow Valley it presents a huge economic impact. The timing of the event is key; taking place during mud season many businesses would normally be closed. However, now area lodging is sold out with many event participants having to rent houses in order to stay near Mount Sow. It’s expected that the influx of over 12,000 people, most of whom have never been to this area, will pour into restaurants and other establishments once they have completed their task on the Tough Mudder course.

A key component to the Tough Mudder is their partnership with the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization whose mission it is to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded warriors in this nation’s history. To date, Tough Mudder is the largest contributor to this project having donated over $1.2 million. Participants at the Mount Snow event have currently risen over $170,000.

Tough Mudder turns its gaze internationally for 2012, expanding their events overseas to England, Japan and Australia. For now the focus is on Mount Snow and its surrounding valley to ensure the satisfaction of the largest amount of participants yet.

For more information please visit mountsnow.com/tough-mudder-info .

###