36 adults took part in the Tough Mudder Half, while 6 youngsters braved the Mini Mudder, to raise funds for Save the Children as part of the ongoing campaign in celebration of Sadbhav Amrut Parva celebrations at Shree Swaminarayan Mandir Kingsbury.

Months of gruelling training had come down to this day – Saturday 23rd September. While the fitness and conditioning regime had helped prepare, nothing could really ready the participants for the hills, water, walls and of course, mud, that they faced during the three hour endurance course. Amazingly, all the participants completed the 5-mile course, despite some real trepidation from some of the team, ranging from fear of water to a fear of heights.

None of that seemed to matter in the end, as adrenaline, team spirit and a shear will to finish coursed through the entire team. First-time participant Vanisha Patel summed up, “I had an awesome experience and it was so much fun thanks to each and every one of my team mates. I really couldn’t have managed it without the team effort.” One of the younger participants, Vasant Savani said, “I enjoyed the course, but I know mum won’t be happy with how much mud I’m bringing home. I really enjoyed helping the rest of the team, especially the younger ones. I can’t wait ‘til I’m old enough to do the bigger course”.

Along with the bumps, bruises, scrapes and cuts, that team ethos was certainly one of the lasting legacies from the event, with every participant from the Mandir team not only proud of their fund raising efforts, but truly taken aback by the bonding experience with the rest of the team. So much so, that the conversation on the coach journey back largely about signing up for next year’s Tough Mudder!

The Mandir community looks forward to its next fund raising event for Save the Children – a 24-hour cricket marathon More Information.