Tough Mudder 2011
October 23rd, 2011 - The "Toughest Event on the Planet" comes to 
Wintergreen. Wintergreen recently hosted the largest special event ever in its nearly 40 year history. Largest by far. Nearly 20,000 runners and an additional 10,000 spectators and support crews were on the mountain for two days of very rigorous obstacle running. The course was approximately 10 miles long and climbed nearly 5,000 feet by continuously finding its way to the very bottom of our ski area. 27 obstacles were placed throughout the course to test the mental and physical toughness of the participants. A fleet of 70 busses were used to shuttle participants from off-site parking in the valley (5,000+/- cars) to the event village on the mountain.
To check out the official video for the event, click here.
One of the major obstacles was "Fire Walker" where the runners had to run between two walls of fire. Obviously this was concerning for Wintergreen and therefore the Fire Department took responsibility for the obstacle. Over 1,200 bales of straw were burned in a very controlled
environment while firefighters stood by "on air" ready to help participants through the smoke if needed. Wilson Fire Department played a huge part in our success at this station.
The Wintergreen Ski Patrol provided on course medical treatment each day using nearly 50 providers. The Wintergreen Rescue Squad managed transportation from the course back to a central treatment area where Ski Patrol continued to care for the patients. Five specialized UTVs were used and 141 patients were transported. Over 200 miles were logged on the Wintergreen Fire & Rescue UTV alone. 29 patients were transported via ambulance to Augusta Hospital.
This was a terrific test of our emergency management system, and all results were positive. This was even more of a test of the Wintergreen Resort staff and again all results were positive. Over a year went into the planning for this event. Wintergreen let the world know we are a destination venue which can handle just about anything, at any time of the year. If you have conference or special event business.....bring it!
Please take time to check out the pictures in our gallery. An alphabetical listing of agencies providing assistance are as follows:
- Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad (Heavy Rescue Equipment)
- Nelson County Rescue Squad (Transport Ambulance)
- Rockfish Valley Fire Department (Transport Ambulance)
- Roseland Rescue Squad (Transport Team)
- Staunton Augusta Rescue Squad (Mass Casualty Equipment)
- Thomas Jefferson EMS Council Task Force 2 (Event Management Equipment)
- Virginia Department of Transportation (Dynamic Signage)
- Wintergreen Resort Staff (Anything we asked for!)
- Wintergreen Rescue Squad (Countless Volunteers, Staff, and Equipment)
- Wintergreen Ski Patrol (Blood, Sweat, and Tears!)
- Virginia State Police (Exceptional crowd and traffic control)
- Virginia Tractor of Charlottesville (UTV equipment)
- Western Albemarle Rescue Squad (Transport Ambulance and UTV)
- Wilson Fire Department (Fire Support and UTV Transport.....and 2 crazy runners!)
- Wintergreen Fire Department (Countless Volunteers, Staff, and Equipment)
- Wintergreen Police Department (Exceptional crowd and traffic control)
