That's one way to spend the bank holiday! Hundreds of competitors take part in Maldon Mud Race.
The 300 competitors scrabbled across the thick black mud of the River Blackwater in Essex
Each year competitors attempt to dash across the bed of the river near Maldon
Around 14,000 also descended on Boughton House in Kettering for Tough Mudder challenge
Big names competing included British and Irish Lions assistant coach Andy Farrell
Organisers of annual run describe event as 'probably the toughest event on the planet'
By LEON WATSON
The 300 competitors, many wearing fancy dress, ran, crawled and scrabbled across the thick black mud of the River Blackwater in Essex at low tide and back yesterday. Each year competitors attempt to dash across the bed of the river near Maldon, and luckily this year the sun was out to keep the mud-racers warm. The crazy competitors crawl through metres of sticky mud to reach the finish line before the tide comes in. The event sees a number of competitors dressed in wacky costumes, which makes the task of crossing the finish line somewhat harder.
The 300 competitors scrabbled across the thick black mud of the River Blackwater in Essex
Each year competitors attempt to dash across the bed of the river near Maldon
Around 14,000 also descended on Boughton House in Kettering for Tough Mudder challenge
Big names competing included British and Irish Lions assistant coach Andy Farrell
Organisers of annual run describe event as 'probably the toughest event on the planet'
By LEON WATSON
The 300 competitors, many wearing fancy dress, ran, crawled and scrabbled across the thick black mud of the River Blackwater in Essex at low tide and back yesterday. Each year competitors attempt to dash across the bed of the river near Maldon, and luckily this year the sun was out to keep the mud-racers warm. The crazy competitors crawl through metres of sticky mud to reach the finish line before the tide comes in. The event sees a number of competitors dressed in wacky costumes, which makes the task of crossing the finish line somewhat harder.
Meanwhile, an even bigger event in Northamptonshire saw thousands of people taking part in an 11 mile endurance event complete with 22 military-style obstacles.
Around 14,000 participants would have been left uttering 'muddy hell' as they descended on Boughton House in Kettering as they aimed to complete the gruelling Tough Mudder circuit.
Big names also taking part in the mud run were England and British and Irish Lions assistant coach Andy Farrell and attacking skills coach Mike Catt, who both completed what organisers describe as 'probably the toughest event on the planet'. At the finish line there was no prize for 'mudders' - who fought through fire, plunged into icy water, scaled 12ft walls, waded through muddy swamps, crawled through underground tunnels and navigated wires electrically charged with 10,000 volts - other than a Day-Glo orange headband and a T-shirt to mark their success.
The name of the game is teamwork and camaraderie because it is almost impossible to finish the course alone, a Tough Mudder spokeswoman said.
'The big thing is that it's not a competition, it's not a race. It's a challenge so a lot of the obstacles you have to do in a team,' she said. 'You get headbands at the end to show you've completed the course. It's about teamwork, camaraderie, bonding.'
Mudders taking part yesterday were treated to a bit of extra dirt and dampness as rain and hail fell on the Northamptonshire course, but today's participants benefited from some rare bank holiday weekend sunshine.
As the event has grown in popularity it has seen more of a mix of people taking part and more women are now taking on the challenge, and more mixed sex teams are entering, the spokeswoman said.
Sarah Harvey, Tough Mudder UK's vice president, said: 'After an overwhelming reception last year, 2013 is set to be a really exciting year for Tough Mudder and we definitely started with a bang in Kettering.
'The London North Mudders were amazing and not only braved one of our toughest courses yet, but also the erratic weather!
'We're now looking forward to Matterley Bowl in June for what should be another a great event.' Founded and run by Englishmen Will Dean and Guy Livingstone, Tough Mudder has already established itself in America, Australia and now the UK since its launch in May 2010, and Tough Mudder recently signed up its one millionth participant worldwide. Tough Mudder has increased the number of UK events from three to six this year with the next event London South taking place at Matterley Bowl near Winchester on June 8 and 9.
'We're now looking forward to Matterley Bowl in June for what should be another a great event.' Founded and run by Englishmen Will Dean and Guy Livingstone, Tough Mudder has already established itself in America, Australia and now the UK since its launch in May 2010, and Tough Mudder recently signed up its one millionth participant worldwide. Tough Mudder has increased the number of UK events from three to six this year with the next event London South taking place at Matterley Bowl near Winchester on June 8 and 9.
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