TACKLING 32 gruelling obstacles across 10k, over 600 brave competitors took part in the first ever Rood Rampage near West Ashton on Sunday (July 17).

The assault course at Rood Ashton, which is similar to a Tough Mudder, was organised by Corsham-based Extreme Events UK.

Co-organiser of the inaugural event, Alex May considered the event a huge success and has promised eager competitors it will make a return next summer.

“There is a big gap in the market for assault courses in the South West and I thought I would do something my local area where I’ve grown up near Bradford on Avon,” the 34-year-old said.

“It is quite difficult to find a landscape which has natural features that we look for which are unique but one thing that made us drawn to Rood Ashton was the lake.

“By having the landscape with the lake, it created a great atmosphere on the day where families were sat around the lake watching what was going on while having a picnic.”

Along with business partner Henry Parker, 44, the pair have built up a following to their Battle of Lansdown course in Bath which resulted in the 600-strong number coming out to Rood Ashton.

Throughout the course of the day, competitors were faced with a whole host of obstacles including an inverted two and a half meter wall, 16 floating platoons on the lake and a 20 meter warped wall at the finishing line.

“There was a great community of people and the majority of people that entered did it in teams but we did get a lot of individuals doing it alone but there was plenty of people to help them out,” Mr May added.

“It is great to see people overcoming these challenges and we got a load of thank you emails from people who said the Rood Rampage gave them the opportunity to face fears.

“The day was a beautiful occasion in sunny weather and a great family day.”

Extreme Events UK are set to donate £1 from every ticket sale to the Great Western Air Ambulance charity.