Maldon Mud Race 2009

Event Success

The Maldon Mud Race held on the 27th December 2009 was yet again a huge success raising money for the chosen charities, the fun began earlier in the day with the *DUCK RACE & BALLOON RACE*, both of these being a first time attraction to the Mud Race Event. The (Plastic) Ducks were positioned at the start by the divers from Chelmsford Aqua Club, after a little encouragement the Ducks headed off down the river, unfortunately the wind took hold and many of the Ducks floated into the river bank, again the divers were at hand to direct them back on course. Thankfully there were three Ducks that finally made it to the finishing net, the three lucky Ducks provided substantial winnings with the first prize being £150, Second Prize £100, and third Prize £50, for those who didn,t manage to win there is always next year.

The Balloon Race offered the same excitement with parents and children purchasing balloons and releasing them into the morning sky hoping to eventually have that special balloon which traveled the most distance, both the *DUCK RACE & BALLOON RACE* provided fantastic prizes to those successful winners.

As the day went on competitors arrived and registered for the big race most in fancy dress and others in professional rubber suits checking out the mud race course to get the right strategy to win the race, the fancy dress gang munched on burgers and sausages and drank cups of tea preparing themselves for the mad rush, we had Ducks, Chickens, Nurses, Policeman, real Soldiers, fancy dress Sailors, we had a Vicar, we even had a Rotarian ready for the challenge in Peter Norburn, 250 competitors wanting to make peoples lifes better with a charity race.

Ray Clark from Essex Radio did a sterling job and so to did the fitness lady from Benton Hall who provided a 'pre-race' warm up for the competitors. The paparazzi were going bonkers to get a photograph of Fatima Whitbread and Amy Connelly our 'X Factor' Star who provided the public with a number of songs during the event.

The competitors made there way to the start of the race at 1pm, 250 nervous charity driven competitors waiting for the starter, namely FATIMA WHITBREAD, to start the race.
...The Claxton went and the competitors ran to the river, it was like watching the grand national, a number of competitors fell at the touch of the water hitting there bodies. It was soon clear that there were some front runners competing for the top spot, but the majority of the competitors were stuck in the mud trying all ways to move forward, the race was on and the Ducks & Chickens were competing against each other. At one point, the Policeman was chasing the six robbers, then the robbers were chasing the Policeman. All in all, what a fantastic race, finally after about 3 minutes we had our winner, he was followed in by a Santa Claus!!!

We would like to thank our corporate partners and sponsors for their generous support for this event. We also give a big thank you, the public, for the tremendous support you give this event each year.