GAUNTLET
OBJECTIVE
Contender's attempt to run the 45m long Gauntlet which is divided into five sections with a Gladiator protecting each zone. The Gladiators use ramrods and power-pads in order to stop the Contender from running the Gauntlet. The male Gladiators Gauntlet team is called The Mean Machines and the female Gladiators team The Dream Team.
FACTS
Gauntlet was the 5th most played event domestically and in the whole series.
When Gauntlet first introduced, the Contender would get 3 points for passing each Gladiator and a single point extra for having the fastest time. This more or less guaranteed the Contender 9 points as the first version of Gauntlet only had three sections (with only 3 Gladiators with ramrods). From the Quarter Finals onwards, 10 points were given to the quickest Contender and 5 points to the other.
Gauntlet was dramtically revamped in 1994. The Contender would have to run through 5 sections and face 5 Gladiators (3 with ramrods and 2 with power-pads) and would receive 10 points for getting through the Gauntlet in under 20 seconds and 5 for doing it in under 30 seconds. Also Contenders and Gladiators would wear chest guards for extra safety.
In 1998 (Series 7) the points system was changed again, allowing 1 point for each section completed and 10 for reaching the end in under 30 seconds.
The Gladiators were allowed to change formation between games if they wanted.
Gauntlet was the only event in which a Gladiator (other than Wolf) received a red card, that being for Raider in 1995 (Series 4, Quarter Final 3).
Despite Gauntlet's status as a main event, it only appeared in 3 out of a possible 7 finals and only 2 out of a possible 5 International finals.
