Participants Develop Rashes and Infections After Tough Mudder Race in Sonoma
Several participants of a Tough Mudder race at the Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, California, have reported developing rashes and bacterial infections after completing the challenging obstacle course. Noa Umbaugh and her five friends embarked on the 10-kilometer race, trudging through barbed wires, wooden boards, and muddy water, only to find themselves covered in painful red bumps the next morning.
Umbaugh was diagnosed with folliculitis, a skin infection often caused by bacteria, and prescribed antibiotics. Following her case, the Sonoma County Department of Health Services issued a public health advisory, stating that multiple participants had reported similar symptoms of rashes along with fevers, muscle pain, and vomiting.
However, Tough Mudder, the Sonoma Raceway, and the Sonoma County Department of Health Services have yet to respond to requests for comments on the matter.
This is not the first time Umbaugh had participated in a Tough Mudder race, having completed one the previous year at the same location. The event, which featured various obstacle courses, was seen as a fun challenge for Umbaugh and her group of friends. It wasn’t until the following day that Umbaugh woke up to the shocking sight of rashes covering her knees, legs, and stomach.
Soon, she discovered that many other participants had experienced similar infections. Posts on the Tough Mudder subreddit detailed visits to the emergency room and diagnoses of bacterial infections. At least 15 cases have been confirmed by Sonoma County officials, with some individuals testing positive for a waterborne bacteria called Aeromonas.
Tough Mudder, upon learning about the infections, promised to investigate the incident. However, Umbaugh’s request for a refund of the race’s $150 entrance fee went unanswered.
Umbaugh raises concerns about whether the race organizers tested the site, particularly since the Sonoma Raceway is known to have a herd of sheep grazing its grassland. However, the raceway has not provided any clarification on whether animals grazed the fields used for the Tough Mudder races.
While Umbaugh’s rash has diminished over time, it has yet to completely disappear. She and her friends have decided to opt for a hike instead of participating in another mud-soaked obstacle course in the future.
“I wanted to try it out,” said Umbaugh. “But I’ll never do it again.”
As more cases of infections and rashes emerge among Tough Mudder participants, it remains to be seen what actions will be taken by race organizers to address these concerns and ensure the safety of future events.