Tough Mudder was my first obstacle course event. Before I ever ran a Spartan, before the bodybuilding stage, before World Championships, before any of it, there was a wall I couldn’t get over and a stranger who pulled me up it. I remember grinning the entire way around the course. I remember not caring about my time. I remember thinking, I love teamwork. That was over a decade ago. A lot has changed since then.
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I wrote recently about my return to Ivory Rock for the OCR World Championships, and the twelve-year journey that got me there. If you haven’t read that one, it’s here. The short version is that obstacle course racing gave me a purpose when my life fell apart, and the discipline of chasing podiums rebuilt me from the ground up. But somewhere along the way, the fun got buried under the pressure. I forgot what it felt like to run for the joy of it.
Then Tough Mudder landed back in my inbox. The event that started everything. Back in Brisbane. And it felt like the universe was giving me a nudge. This time, I’m not going alone. I’m putting together Team Little Grey Box and taking nine of you with me. More on that below.

What is Tough Mudder?
If you’ve never heard of Tough Mudder, here’s the short version. It’s an obstacle course event built around teamwork, mud and controlled chaos. It’s not a race. There’s no clock, no podium, no rankings. You run it with mates or with strangers, and you help each other through it. Ice plunges, electric shocks, mud pits, towering walls, rope climbs, all of it designed to be conquered together rather than alone.
Since launching in 2010, Tough Mudder has welcomed millions of participants around the world and built a cult following for good reason. It’s the most fun you can have while being absolutely filthy.
Tough Mudder Brisbane 2026
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Venue: Sirromet Winery, 850 Mount Cotton Rd, Mount Cotton QLD 4165
15K. The classic Tough Mudder. 20-plus obstacles across 15 kilometres of terrain. This is the one Team Little Grey Box will be running.
5K. A shorter course with 12 plus obstacles. Perfect for first-timers or anyone who wants the Tough Mudder experience without the full distance.
Infinity. New to Tough Mudder Australia. Complete as many laps as possible within eight hours. For the properly unhinged.
After the race: Mudder Village with a bar, food trucks and live DJs. Because finishing a Tough Mudder without a cold beer in your hand is a crime.
Spectator passes are available, too, if you want to come and watch people get electrocuted for fun.
Full details and tickets at toughmudder.com.au.

Why Sirromet Winery is the perfect venue
Sirromet is one of those Brisbane venues that people who live here don’t visit enough. It’s set over 560 acres of rolling green hills at Mount Cotton, about 30 minutes south of the CBD and 30 minutes from the Gold Coast. Views out to Moreton Bay. Vineyards. Bushland. A cellar door, a Tuscan-inspired restaurant, and on a good day it genuinely feels like you’ve left the country without actually leaving the country.
As a Tough Mudder venue, it’s going to be incredible. The terrain is hilly, the bush is thick, and the post-race festival sitting in the grounds of a winery is the kind of thing you don’t get at most obstacle events If you’re coming from interstate or overseas, Sirromet is an easy day trip from Brisbane or the Gold Coast. Stack it with a cellar door tasting or lunch at the Tuscan Terrace, and you’ve got a genuinely great day out, mud or no mud.

I’ve got five individual Tough Mudder entries to give away. These are standalone tickets, so you can enter on your own or with mates. I’m handing them out in person at run clubs across Brisbane this week. That’s me in the photos below. Find me, say g’day, and the pass is yours. Keep an eye on my Instagram stories for details of where I’ll be.


Why this one matters to me
I started obstacle racing because of Tough Mudder. Not because I wanted to compete. Not because I wanted to test my limits. Because I wanted to climb a wall with a group of strangers and laugh about it on the other side.
Somewhere in the years that followed, I swapped teamwork for competition. The fun became pressure. The smile became a grimace. The group became a solo pursuit. And look, the solo pursuit gave me exactly what I needed when I needed it most. It rebuilt me. But I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what I actually want from this next chapter, and I keep coming back to the same word. Joy.
So I’m going back to where it started. Back to Tough Mudder. Back to the team. Back to helping strangers over walls and not caring what the clock says. I’ll see you at Sirromet.

Plan your trip to Brisbane
If you’re coming from out of town for Tough Mudder, Brisbane in late June is a great time to visit. The weather is mild, the skies are clear, and the city is at its best.
Getting there: Sirromet Winery is about 30 minutes from Brisbane CBD and 30 minutes from the Gold Coast. Brisbane International Airport is a short drive from both.
Where to stay: Brisbane CBD is the easiest base, with plenty of hotels along the river. South Bank, Howard Smith Wharves and the Fortitude Valley precinct are all worth exploring. If you want to be closer to the venue, look at accommodation on the Redlands Coast or in the Mount Cotton area.
While you’re here: Brisbane’s food scene keeps getting better. South Bank markets on a Saturday morning, breakfast at any of the cafes along James Street, dinner at Howard Smith Wharves under the Story Bridge. The Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is 20 minutes from the CBD if you want to tick a box. And if you’ve got a couple of extra days, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and the Gold Coast beaches are both within easy reach.

Frequently asked questions about Tough Mudder Brisbane 2026
When is Tough Mudder Brisbane 2026? Tough Mudder Brisbane takes place on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Start times vary by format.
Where is Tough Mudder Brisbane held? Tough Mudder Brisbane 2026 is held at Sirromet Winery, 850 Mount Cotton Rd, Mount Cotton QLD 4165. The venue is about 30 minutes south of Brisbane CBD and 30 minutes from the Gold Coast.
How do I get to Sirromet Winery for Tough Mudder? Sirromet Winery is about 30 minutes by car from Brisbane CBD and less than 30 minutes from the Gold Coast. Brisbane International Airport is the closest major airport. Parking is available on site, and spectator and parking passes can be purchased through the Tough Mudder website.
What are the Tough Mudder Brisbane course options? There are three course options at Tough Mudder Brisbane 2026. The 15K features 20-plus obstacles, the 5K features 12-plus obstacles, and the Infinity category is new to Tough Mudder Australia and lets participants complete as many laps as possible within eight hours.
How much do Tough Mudder Brisbane tickets cost? Tough Mudder Brisbane 2026 tickets start from $230 for the 15K, $139 for the 5K, and $159 to $189 for Infinity. Spectator passes start from $15. Group packages are available for five or more participants.
Do I need to be fit to do Tough Mudder? No. Tough Mudder is designed for all fitness levels. The 5K course is a great starting point for beginners. The obstacles are built to be tackled as a team, so you don’t need to be able to complete everything on your own. People help each other over walls, through mud pits and across obstacles throughout the course.
Is Tough Mudder a race? No. Tough Mudder is not a timed race. There are no rankings, no podiums and no official results. It’s built around teamwork, fun and the shared experience of getting through the course together. That said, the Infinity category does add a competitive element for those who want to push themselves.
What obstacles are at Tough Mudder Brisbane? Tough Mudder obstacles include ice plunges, electric shocks, mud pits, towering walls, rope climbs, monkey bars and a range of teamwork focused challenges. Specific obstacle lineups vary by event, but you can expect around 20 obstacles on the 15K course and 12 plus on the 5K.
Can I spectate at Tough Mudder Brisbane? Yes. Spectator passes are available for Tough Mudder Brisbane 2026. The post-race Mudder Village includes a bar, food trucks and live entertainment, making it a fun day out even if you’re not running.
What should I wear to Tough Mudder? Wear clothes you don’t mind destroying. Trail running shoes or older running shoes with good grip are best. Avoid cotton if possible as it gets heavy when wet. Most people wear compression gear or activewear they’re happy to throw out afterwards. Leave your phone in the car or bring a waterproof pouch.
Is there parking at Sirromet Winery for Tough Mudder? Yes. Parking passes are available for purchase through the Tough Mudder website. VIP parking is also available. Arrive early as the venue can get busy on event day.
Can I do Tough Mudder with a team? Yes. Tough Mudder offers team waves and group packages for groups of five or more. Teams can include mates, workmates, gym crews or run clubs. It’s one of the best team fitness events in Australia.
What happens after the Tough Mudder finish line? After crossing the finish line, participants receive a finisher headband and can celebrate at Mudder Village, which features a bar, food trucks and live DJs. Sirromet Winery also has a cellar door and restaurant on site if you want to extend the day.

This post was written in partnership with Tough Mudder Australia and Bennett PR. All opinions and stories are my own. Individual giveaway tickets have been provided as complimentary entries. The decade of mud, the walls, the strangers who pulled me up them, all unsponsored.
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