The Tough Muslimah competitive mud run challenge is a unique, empowering, and challenging event designed specifically for Muslim women. Perfect for university Islamic Societies, Muslim schools, and scouting groups, this competition encourages camaraderie, physical endurance, and resilience.
Inspired by the Trials & Tribulations challenge, Tough Muslimah is a 10K mud run featuring an elongated obstacle course. Here’s a comprehensive blueprint to help organisers bring this exciting event to life.
Overview of Tough Muslimah
Tough Muslimah offers a competitive twist on the classic mud run, where teams from different organisations compete to complete the course in the shortest time.
Participants face obstacles that require both physical and mental strength, representing the resilience and determination that characterise the Trials & Tribulations challenge. However, unlike the original model, Tough Muslimah removes the reflective gathering aspect, focusing entirely on teamwork, competition, and endurance.
Ideal participant groups
Tough Muslimah is designed to engage a wide range of Muslim women, particularly in group settings. Ideal participants include:
- University Islamic Societies (different college iSocs compete against each other)
- Muslim schools (teams from different schools compete)
- Girls’ scouts groups (teams from different groups compete)
- Community youth groups (teams from different areas compete)
This challenge is perfect for larger organisations or groups of organisations aiming to foster teamwork, solidarity, and fitness among Muslim women.
Team colours
To promote team spirit and add a visually exciting element, each team is assigned a unique colour, with participants wearing hijabs in their team’s designated colour. Examples include:
- Goldsmith College: Gold hijab
- UCL: Red hijab
- University of Westminster: Green hijab
- Imperial College: Blue hijab
This colour coordination will make it easy to identify each team and adds a sense of unity and pride for participants. Hijabs can be provided by the teams themselves or organised through sponsorship to ensure uniformity and quality.
Event setup
For groups in the South East, it’s suggested that the Tough Muslimah mud run will be held in partnership with Camelot Events, utilising the course they user for the Nuts Challenge. This course offers a robust and professionally managed venue that includes:
- A 10K trek across Camelot’s sprawling outdoor site
- A series of elongated, purpose-built obstacles designed to test physical fitness, agility, and teamwork
- A supportive environment for hosting a large-scale event, complete with facilities for spectators and participants
Working with Camelot Events will ensure that participants experience a high-quality, challenging mud run, with the additional benefits of professional obstacle design and safe, secure grounds.
Safety provisions
To guarantee participant safety throughout the event, Camelot Events will provide experienced stewards stationed along the course. These stewards will guide participants, ensure safety during obstacles, and offer support where necessary.
St John’s Ambulance will supply medical staff and a medical tent on-site. This ensures immediate first aid response in case of injury and helps participants feel secure as they tackle challenging obstacles.
Competition and scoring
The event will involve multiple teams competing against one another. The goal is to complete the course in the shortest possible time. The competition rules include:
- Team completion time: Each team’s completion time is based on the average finish time of its members, encouraging teamwork and support.
- Obstacle completion: Teams must complete each obstacle, as skipping will result in a time penalty.
- Winning teams: Prizes can be awarded for the fastest overall team, as well as for teamwork, perseverance, and sportsmanship.
Fundraising potential
The Tough Muslimah challenge is ideal for fundraising, allowing teams to raise money for chosen charities, such as Islamic Relief, Human Appeal, Muslim Hands, or local charities. Each team can set up a fundraising page where family, friends, and the wider community can sponsor participants. Fundraising benefits include:
- Online donations: Encourage participants to set up JustGiving pages or similar fundraising platforms, allowing supporters to donate quickly and easily.
- Sponsorship: Teams can seek sponsorship from local businesses, who can contribute to costs in exchange for advertising on team t-shirts, banners, or materials.
- Community engagement: By inviting local mosques, community groups, and businesses to support the challenge, the Tough Muslimah challenge becomes an event that unites and benefits the wider Muslim community.
Dress code: Full Muslim dress
As in the Trials and Tribulations challenge, participants are encouraged to complete the course in full Muslim dress, which includes:
- Fancy dress: Each team is encouraged to design a consistent team outfit representing their group. Participants should wear either an abaya or loose, comfortable athletic wear in line with their team’s colour scheme.
- Hijab: All participants will wear a hijab in their team’s assigned colour, ensuring modesty and team spirit.
This dress code demonstrates the strength and resilience of Muslim women as they overcome tough physical challenges while maintaining their values and identity.
Suggested event timeline
- Arrival and registration: Participants check in, receive wristbands, and confirm emergency contacts.
- Team briefing: Teams meet their stewards and receive a course briefing from Camelot Events staff.
- Challenge begins: Teams begin the course at staggered start times.
- Completion and awards: The event concludes with an awards ceremony, where winners are announced, and prizes are awarded.
Promoting for maximum impact
Promotion is key to a successful event. Here are a few strategies to spread the word:
- Social media: Encourage teams to share their preparation and fundraising journey on social media platforms with a designated event hashtag, like #ToughMuslimah.
- Community engagement: Connect with local mosques, community centres, and Islamic societies to attract participants and sponsors.
- Event partnerships: Work with popular Islamic publications, blogs, or influencers to promote the event, raising its profile among Muslim women.
Event budget considerations
Organisers should budget for:
- Camelot Events course rental: Venue fees for the 10K course and obstacle setup.
- Transport: Getting teams to and from the challenge if not under their own steam.
- Team materials: Optional items such as team hijabs and water bottles.
- Prizes: Awards for the fastest team, most funds raised, best team outfit, and other notable achievements.
Benefits for participants
The Tough Muslimah challenge offers participants numerous benefits:
- Team building and camaraderie: Strengthen bonds within Islamic societies, schools, and community groups.
- Health and fitness: Improve physical fitness through a fun, competitive event.
- Community visibility: Increase the visibility of Muslim women in community activities, promoting a positive image.
- Sense of achievement: Build confidence and resilience as participants overcome physical and mental obstacles.
Final thoughts
Tough Muslimah is more than a mud run; it’s an opportunity for Muslim women to showcase their strength, endurance, and solidarity. Through a carefully organised and competitive mud run challenge, participants can raise funds for meaningful causes, bond with their teammates, and celebrate their achievements together.
With the support of Camelot Events and community sponsors, this event can become a memorable, inspiring occasion that empowers Muslim women and strengthens community ties.