The 2009 Tough Guy challenge

Contenders, ready: waiting for the start of the Tough Guy event in Perton Photograph: Keith Williams/Action Images

Competitors start the race Photograph: Keith Williams/Action Images

Braving zero degree temperatures Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Competitors in their 'mankinis' feel the cold Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Contestants jump into the river Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images

Competitors tackle the rope Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Another view of the rope challenge Photograph: Kieran Doherty/Reuters

Competitors are pushed to the limit Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Running through the smoke and burning fields Photograph: Keith Williams/Action Images

Competitors stop to warm up by the fire Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA

Former England scrum-half Matt Dawson commentates for ITV4 Photograph: Adam Davy/Empics

The 'Stalag Escape' challenge Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA

A female competitor struggles through the Stalag Escape Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

A competitor is thrilled after completing the Escape Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Tough Gal? Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA

More burning fields Photograph: Kieran Doherty/Reuters

A competitor emerges from the water Photograph: Kieran Doherty/Reuters

A faceful of muddy water Photograph: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Competitors feeling the cold Photograph: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Pausing for breath Photograph: Keith Williams/Action Images

It's every Tough Guy for himself Photograph: Rui Vieira/PA

An exhausted competitor in the mud Photograph: Simon Dawson/AP