'Tough Mudder: Tougher Together' Premieres 3/15 on The CW

TOUGH MUDDER: TOUGHER TOGETHER, a one-hour special that gives an in-depth look at the personal challenges, heartbreaks, and triumphs of three teams of Tough Mudder participants as they set out to test their abilities to their limits and transform themselves through the Tough Mudder experience, premieres Thursday, March 15 (8:00-9:00pm ET/PT) on The CW Network.

The broadcast special of TOUGH MUDDER: TOUGHER TOGETHER will be preceded by five digital episodes, premiering on CW Seed, The CW's digital network, on Thursday, March 8. The episodes offer a deeper look at the participants and their support teams in their journey to take part in one of the most grueling endurance events on the planet testing teamwork skills, physical abilities and mental grit.

Shot documentary style, TOUGH MUDDER: TOUGHER TOGETHER, The CW's second partnership with Tough Mudder, will offer a real and unvarnished look at the lives of three inspiring teams and their support systems. These compelling digital shorts and the broadcast finale will put viewers in the middle of the high-stakes, unscripted drama of each team member's journey as they face different obstacles and struggles not only on the course, but in life.

TOUGH MUDDER: TOUGHER TOGETHER focuses on three Tough Mudder teams, led by Amithy, Taylor, and Val and Stu, who all have their own deeply personal reasons for wanting to challenge themselves to finish the 10-mile, 23-obstacle course:

Amithy: Amithy, 40, is originally from Hawaii but moved to Southern California when she married her husband, Ward. Tragically, Ward contracted pneumonia last winter and died suddenly at the age of 40. Amithy and her three best friends come together to run in Ward's honor, with her two young sons joining her in honoring their father by running in the Mini- Mudder course as well, taking on the challenge together as a family.

Taylor: Taylor, 27, was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but now lives in Los Angeles. He is running in his fourth Tough Mudder, but it is his first since his recent sex reassignment surgery. Since the surgery, Taylor has worked hard to regain his fitness, and can't wait to get back in the mud again. He is planning to run with his father, Rick, and hoping they can forge a stronger bond as father and son on the course.

Val and Stu: Val, 24, and her father Stu, 64, are both long-time Mudders from Florida. Stu secretly signed up for his first Tough Mudder two years ago, and ended up losing 58 pounds in the process. Val, who has Down's Syndrome, hopes to gain confidence, show her parents her strength and independence, and inspire others who might have doubts about their own abilities to do the same.

"Obstacles don't just exist on Tough Mudder courses; they are everywhere. But what separates a Mudder from the rest is how they respond to those obstacles," said Will Dean, CEO & Co-founder of Tough Mudder, Inc. "We are excited to again have The CW and CW SEED bring these stories of perseverance and courage to life for millions of viewers. Amithy, Val, Stu, and Taylor are extraordinary people and their journeys will encourage others to face their struggles and overcome their fears together, as a team."

Flatbush Pictures and director Judd Ehrlich, the award-winning documentary team behind Keepers of the Game and We Could Be King, the 2014 Sports Emmy Award-winner for Outstanding Sports Documentary, and recipient of a Grand Clio, is the executive producer of the series, along with Jesse BULL and Jennifer Nelson of Tough Mudder. Ehrlich and his team also produced the Tough Mudder web series Finish Strong.

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