Surely with hardship comes ease.
Quran 94:5 to 6
This is the heart of the day. Each team faces mud, water and obstacles, with a heavy load and a baby doll to protect.
It is meant to be relentless and hard. It is also where the families find out how much they can do for each other.
At a glance
| Topic | In brief |
|---|---|
| When | After the first tasks, for as long as the course takes |
| Where | The assault course, with walking sections between obstacles |
| The heart of it | Every obstacle, taken together, with everything you carry |
The shape of the course
The course mixes natural and man-made obstacles. You walk between them, but there is no long trek. Your own course will differ, so use this table as a guide.
| Obstacle | What it asks of the team |
|---|---|
| Mud and ditches | Slow, sure steps, and hands to hold |
| Wading through water | Care for the doll, and a steady pace in heavy wet clothes |
| Walls and frames | Lifts, hand-overs and good communication |
| Nets and low crawls | Dragging a suitcase while keeping the doll safe |
| Slopes and rough ground | Patience, and sharing the load |
Taking on every obstacle
Every participant takes every obstacle, however long it takes. The suitcase, the backpack and the doll must get through too, just as the people do.
Teams may swap loads when someone needs a rest. The belongings never leave the team.
The son’s part
The son is charged with caring for, supporting and helping all three women. He does not have to do everything himself. He leads best by listening, asking and noticing who needs help next.
The women will help him too. The team works as one.
Caring for the baby
The wife protects the doll, and the whole team helps her. Support the head, keep the doll close, and take extra care in water and on slippery ground. The doll will get muddy, and so will everyone else.
Looking after each other
A team moves at the pace of its slowest member. Share loads, offer water, and check how everyone is feeling. Encourage rather than hurry.
Other teams are on the same ground. Compete, but if anyone on any team is in trouble, call a marshal and stop.
Safety on the course
The challenge is tough, but nobody should be hurt. These points matter most.
- Marshals watch every obstacle and can stop a team at any time
- Water is for wading only, to a depth agreed with the venue and marked clearly
- Wet abayas can get heavy and hold the cold, so watch for shivering, slurred speech or confusion, and warm that person up straight away
- In warm weather, take shade and water breaks, as dark full-length clothing is hot
- Lift the suitcase together, never alone, especially over walls
- Walk, never run, near obstacles
- Count everyone at each checkpoint
Anyone may stop at any time, for any reason. Stopping is never a failure.
Reflection
These questions are best kept for afterwards, when you are warm again.
- When did you most need someone, and who was there?
- What did you learn about carrying a burden for someone else?
- What stayed with you most about what you carried?
When the last obstacle is behind you, there is only the walk to the finish.