Event Success

The 2007 Mud Race looks set to be the most successful ever. Over 180 competitors braved the chilly conditions‚ all successfully completing the course, with the winner Harold Wyber from Woodford Green took just 3mins 38 secs. The winner of the Ladies Competition was Emma Hickling from Southend. As usual the event had an international flavour with this year‚ 6 competitors from Germany‚ we also had entries from many parts of England including BBC Countryfile presenter‚ Adam Henson. The team event attracted a strong field with 18 teams taking part and was won by The Norfolk and Good All Star team who had their first 4 members all placed in the top 50.
A crowd of over 6‚000 people turned up despite the early start‚ and with the big plasma screen introduced this year‚ sponsored by Robert E Lee Hire‚ most people got a great view of the race.
The race got off to it’s first ever false start, as BBC Presenter Ray Clarke‚ attempted to get the crowds to do a Mexican wave‚ but there was no calling back the competitors once they were in the mud. Many of the competitors got into the spirit of the day by dressing up in fancy dress costume‚ which was judged by the Rotary and Lions Presidents John Williams and Michael Ballard.
It was good to see a number of stalls this year‚ Essex Air Ambulance‚ Little Haven Children’s Hospice‚ Helen Rollason Cancer Charity‚ Maldon Leos‚ Maldon Mouse Mats part of a young enterprise project run through the local High School‚ among others. Sponsors, Tiptree Jams‚ and Ernest Doe were also well represented and we were treated to a fly pass by the Essex Air Ambulance, all of which added to the occasion.
The real winners of course will be the Charities and with sponsorship already pledged we are confident that with the support of our sponsors, the competitors, their sponsors and the general public this year will be the best ever‚ and there is every prospect we will beat our target of £30‚000.
On behalf of the Lions and Rotary Clubs of Maldon can we thank everyone for their interest in and support of this whacky event.