Nuclear Rookie Rush - Love Mud!

For years now I have wanted to enter the boys into the Nuclear Rookie Rush adventure race but for one reason or another I just never got around to it. My pure chance one of Joshua's friends (Luca) older brother dropped out at the last minute and his Mum kindly asked if Josh wanted the place instead. Needless to say we jumped at the chance and also got Brandon entered.

For the 9-14 year olds it is a 3k race with some pretty impressive obstacles to overcome. Joshua went flying off at the start as he always does and then gassed out leaving Brandon to storm home first in just under an hour. Joshua eventually came in 5-10 minutes behind Brandon and then Luca was another 10 minutes or so behind Josh. All 3 of them did amazing tough and didn't bottle out of any of the obstacles and in the course of doing so, got absolutely caked in mud. In fact the mud was so bad that I had to hose everything off in the garden before even contemplating putting it anywhere near the washing machine.

At the end of the race they were awarded a very nice medal for their efforts and all 3 are now dead keen to do the next Rookie Rush in September. The event was absolutely amazing and so well put on and run that I am happy for them to do more of these races, In fact once I got there and heard the music pumping and saw everyone lining up on the start line I just wanted to join in and run myself. I so wish they had activities like this for kids when I was the boys age, they are sooo lucky.

Luca, Brandon and Josh with their war paint on ready for Rookie Rush.

Brandon with his face paint ready to race.

The boys did the Rookie course for 9-14 year olds.

Two laps of the assault course!

Luca, Brandon and Josh at the Nuclear Race.

They might love the zip wire, but they weren't very good on it.

Getting warmed up to some dance music from the film Blade ahead of the start of the event.

There was no easing in to the race, it was straight in to muddy water.

Buying them yellow Nuclear Race t-shirts was a real bad idea!

Joshua went off quick at the start.

But it didn't take Brandon long to stretch out his legs and take the lead.

Josh with mud in his eye.

Clambering out of a ditch.

On this section of the course they had to drag a chain and ball around a maze.

Joshua dragging his metal ball.

Both Brandon and Joshua fell off of this obstacle into the muddy water.

Joshua trying a different forwards crawling approach - it didn't work.

Swinging across some mud.

And nearly making it.

Brandon on the zip wire on his first lap.

His grip fails him due to the slippery mud and he takes a dip.

Then has to try and climb out up this yucky mud bank.

Joshua following up on the zip wire.

Again didn't make it far - splosh.

Brandon climbing over the tire wall.

And leaping down ready to run again.

The muddy hands are too slippery for him to hold on.

But he did complete the swinging climbing wall.

But then squashed his nuts on the swing bar!

Joshua in action.

Also managed the swinging climbing wall ok.

I was giving B plenty of encouragement to fall in here, but he held on.

Joshua on the wobbling balance beams.

Then the rope bridge.

Crawling out of a dark tunnel.

Then over a wall.

Before tackling the big cargo net.

Commando crawling under a cargo net through thick mud.

Then sliding through a tube in to a mud pit.

They really weren't joking when they said you get wet and muddy.

Nearing the end of lap 1 and there is a large water slide.

In to yet more muddy water.

Crawling under the monster truck to start lap 2.

Another mud slide into more water.

Splash.

Climbing out of the water.

Brandon successfully managing to hang on to the zip wire on lap 2.

Through the tires and sprinting up the hill.

Another wall to climb.

Action shot of Brandon enjoying every bit of the race.

His nuts appear to have recovered as he straddles the tire wall.

Back on the climbing wall for lap 2.

Brandon on the wobbling balance beams.

Looking wobbly on the rope bridge.

But smiling as he comes out of the underground tunnel.

Nearly finished and B starts to knuckle down and push the pace.

SLiding off the wall.

Over the cargo net for the last time.

This was a lot higher than it looks. The kids were all very brave.

Brandon decided to do a proper commando crawl under the cargo net laying flat down in the mud!

Mud soup.

The yellow top is looking good!

Brandon coming out of the tube slide.

B coming down the water slide for the last time.

Cleaning off some mud, with more muddy water.

Still smiling.

The final sprint for the finish.

My little champ proudly wearing his medal that he definitely earnt today.

Nice looking medal.

If he didn't love mud before today, he does now!

Joshua on his final sprint to the finish.

And then being awarded with his medal.

Well earned Josh.

My two Rookies completing their first Nuclear Race.

After a little clean up the 3 boys almost look human again.

Holly also wants to have a go next time, but because of her age I have to go around with her (what a shame!). For today she had to settle for some bouncy castles and bouncy slides.