FEARLESS competitors took on a gruelling obstacle course on the weekend, dubbed "Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet".

Tough Mudder South West 2014 took place in Cirencester Park on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 August.

Thousands turned up to take part in the course, travelling from all over the world to get involved.

Participants teamed up and had to dive head first into icy water, swing across slippery monkey bars, jump off a 15 foot high plank into muddy water and more.

One compeitior, who suffered from MS and was in a wheelchair, was carried around the course by his teammates. Cirencester man Andy Freeman was carried over walls, through tunnels and plunged into icy water. He and his team raised more than £3,000 for the Timmy Mason Trust and took six and a half hours to complete the course.

Tough Mudder is a 10-12 mile obstacle course designed to test all-around strength, stamina, teamwork, and mental grit. The average competitor takes three hours to get through the course.

Only 78 per cent of participants complete the course, which organisers say is all about team work and facing fears.

Those competing are required to make a pledge beforehand, promising that they will put team work before their course team.

Those who finished the course took to social media the night after and sang their praises about the course, saying they "felt alive" despite the aches getting worse.

The Standard team took part on the Saturday and survived the course... although a few team members are still suffering a few aches and pains this morning.

Full report in this week's Standard.