York Acorn Running Club's Nick Ford proved himself a tough nut to crack in an annual madcap test of endurance.

Competing in Tough Guy, a 10-mile cross country running race followed by a gruelling assault course held in the middle of winter, Ford finished in a time of 2hrs 21mins.

Obstacles include the Behemoth, stacks of straw bales linked by high wires along which participants can walk, the Swamp, a field that has been specially flooded and mulched, an Underwater tunnel and Stalag Escape, a muddy 30-yard crawl under barbed wire.

The Tiger sees competitors having to climb up a 30ft high construction made from telegraph poles, over its back and then down through its mouth. The sting in the tail is provided by concealed electric fence wires running along the obstacle.

This year's race, staged in South Staffordshire, completed a hat-trick of Tough Guy's for Ford, who is secretary at Acorn.

His time this year was more than 20 minutes faster than his previous effort.

"The weather was bitterly cold with water at freezing temperatures, no doubt making for some cases of hypothermia," he explained.

"It's hell but my entry is already in for next year."

About 4,000 competitors took part in what is regarded as Britain's toughest 10-mile cross country event.

Bob Duncan led 15 York Acorn team-mates home in the recent Brass Monkey

Half Marathon Road Race, organised by Knavesmire Harriers.

He finished ninth overall and third in the veteran class in one hour 14 minutes and 25 seconds.

Updated: 14:25 Tuesday, February 06, 2001