Muddy marvellous - Paul's toughest challenge in memory of Rob

A man from Leeds has raised thousands of pounds for the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease by completing a gruelling 24 hour obstacle course.

- by Jennifer Cartwright

Paul Wood completed the World's Toughest Mudder at Belvoir Castle, Grantham, on June 28 and June 29.

Participants run a five mile course filled with obstacles including ice baths, mud pits and climbing nets, as many times as they can within a 24 hour period.

Between the two days, Paul ran the course 17 times totalling 85 miles resulting in a ninth place finish out of 1,000 competitors.

Paul's challenge has helped him raised £6,676 to support the Rob Burrow Centre for MND, which will provide specialist care for MND patients when it opens later this year.

Rob's story was something that first came to Paul's attention in 2021. Being of a similar age to late Leeds Rhinos legend, Paul felt a connection with him.

Paul said: "I just put myself in his shoes and just thought (he had) retired from my professional rugby career and (he was) looking forward to the next phase of my life. He did have a new chapter of his life but it was one that was a nightmare."

With the impulse to help make a difference, Paul signed up to his first Tough Mudder in 2021, a 15km course with over 20 obstacles.