Local man recognized as face of Tough Mudders

Joe Perry of Wallaceburg is starting the new year with some lofty goals in the mud!

Perry is recognized as the face of Tough Mudders across Canada and is a member of the Tough Mudder Hall of Fame.

Tough Mudders are required to run an outdoor course which includes obstacles, often through the mud.

2022 was a great year for Perry, he won the Holy Grail crown for Tough Mudder competitors for most miles covered in the 2022 season

“I love being out there with all my friends, whether we are competing or just taking our time,” said Perry. “In the mud, we get to leave our troubles behind and focus on something different. The obstacles challenge us in a variety of ways. It’s rewarding helping friends or strangers accomplish something.”

Perry said he hopes to build on 2022 and will have another “full year of adventures.” He said he’ll compete in several Tough Mudder events, including the eight-hour and 12-hour races and of the 24-hour World’s Toughest Mudder for the 12th year in a row in Texas.    

He will also be competing in the Obstacle Course Racing World Championship for the seventh time in California.

Although Joe has quickly become the face of Tough Mudders in Canada, he also laces his running shoes up for various marathons too.

He’ll be competing in his fifth Boston marathon in April but said the highlight will be competing in the Tokyo Marathon this year, which will complete his final run of the Six World Major Marathons across the world.

Wallaceburg residents can see Perry training regularly. Last year he logged over 4,400 km on the local roads, the same distance from Wallaceburg to Vancouver.