TOUGH Cleveland teen Mason Pavic will be the youngest Queenslander to tackle the notoriously difficult Tough Mudder course in Woodford this month.
Mason will celebrate his 14th birthday on May 18, the first day of the event, only just making the entry age cutoff which was lowered this year.
He will travel to Woodford to take part in the 16 kilometre course, which will see him crawling through tunnels, hanging from bars and climbing a 15 foot tower of hay bales.
More than 8000 people are set to take part in the event.
Mason, who is a triathlete, said the challenge was intimidating but exciting.
"(I have to) just think about one obstacle at a time and only worry about that," he said.
Competitors will experience eight new obstacles including The Gauntlet, the longest obstacle in Tough Mudder history with four challenges rolled into one.
Father Stephen Pavic, who inspired Mason to take part in Tough Mudder, said his son was up to the challenge.
"I think he'll show a lot of people up," he said.
"He's definitely fit and strong enough to do it.
"I think he'll see a different side to people. Everyone lets their hair down a bit out there, so that will be a bit of a surprise to him."
Mason will compete alongside this year's oldest participant, 72-year-old Terry White from Beerwah.
Mr White said he had seen numerous health benefits from competing in Tough Mudder for the past three years.
"Now I'm feeling healthier than ever, having seen my blood pressure reduce and my gout and arthritis disappear as a result of my Tough Mudder training program," Mr White said.
"I may be the oldest on the course, but I don't feel that way."
