Allen toughs it out in Wolverhampton

The annual event attracts entries from around Europe and is famed for its difficulty, with a six-mile cross country run being followed by a series of daunting obstacles including freezing water hazards, electric-shock treatment, fire walks and extreme heights.

Allen’s result was all the more remarkable as he started 30 seconds behind the returning elite athletes.

In 20th position after the six-mile run, Allen soon made up the places on the tricky obstacles as his athletic ability came to the fore, eventually finishing in 1hr 34min 59sec.

Last year’s winner Hohler Knut retained his crown, coming home in 1:26:22, just eight seconds clear of Paul Jones.

Of the 4,359 starters, 3,660 finished, with the last runner coming home in 4:41:14.