Brave the muddy challenge of the Maldon Mud Race.
When: 1st May 2016
Where: Promenade Park, Maldon, Essex
£: Free to watch. £50 for individual entry, £200 for a team of 4 or £300 for a team of 6. Competitors should be over 18 years and raise at least £50 in sponsorship money.
What is it?
This year’s Maldon Mud Race will take place on Sunday 1st May 2016 in Essex. The Maldon Mud Race is the annual mad dash (or sticky wade) through the riverbed of the River Blackwater in Essex.
The quirky Maldon Mud Race began in 1973 with a pub-related bet. A local resident made a bet that the landlord of the Queens Head at Hythe Quay in Maldon, couldn’t serve a meal, dressed in a dinner jacket, on the saltings of the River Blackwater. Somehow this daft behaviour caught on and it developed into a race to across the riverbed to drink a pint of beer, until finally it became the popular organised charity event it is today.
The race is expected to attract 300 competitors from across the world, who will be racing in the name of fun, whilst raising money for charity. For those who don’t fancy getting filthy, the race welcomes spectators and this year there will be plenty of extra entertainment on the day. There will be stalls, entertainment and a duck race. Tickets for the duck race cost £1.
The race itself is a four hundred metre dash (or wade) through the muddy riverbed. Competitors are encouraged to race in fancy dress, and all participants receive a gift pack for entering. Prizes are awarded for various categories, these usually include the Last Person to Complete the Course, Best Male Fancy Dress, Best Female Fancy Dress and The Most Senior Competitor to Complete the Race.
The race has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the years and has attracted huge crowds of spectators. This year is expected to be just as popular.
More info: www.maldonmudrace.com and www.facebook.com/themaldonmudrace