50th Maldon Mud Race in Promenade Park labelled a success

The event saw roughly 20,000 people attending the festivities and 300 participants compete in the difficult and muddy challenge while raising funds for charities.

The race raises funds for the likes of Farleigh Hospice, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, and many other organisations.

From 10am until the race’s start at 3pm, there was live music, carnival amusements, stalls, and much more available to the crowds.

Excitement was in the air as the participants prepared themselves for the annual event.

A beautiful day - Promenade Park (Image: Newsquest)

Family - Leanna Adelizzi, Pete Bates, Chloe Bates, Pete and Chloe's children, and Emma Mcloughlin before the race (Image: Newsquest)

Proud - Maldon Mud Race chairman, Brian Farrington (Image: Newsquest)

Emma Mcloughlin, Chloe Bates, Pete Bates and Leanna Adelizzi were all dressed up in fancy dress, ready to take it on for the first time, whilst raising funds for Pete, who is currently fighting incurable brain cancer.

Emma said: “We’re all doing it to raise money for Pete, he has a brain tumour and we’re hopefully going to fund more treatment that isn’t available on the NHS.

“We’re a bit anxious."

Chloe said: “Pete is currently on chemotherapy, but he’s ok and feeling strong.”

Thankful - a team of volunteers at the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance stall (Image: Newsquest)

Exciting - the finshing line just before the start of the race (Image: Newsquest)

Stunning - the River Blackwater (Image: Newsquest)

Peter Hennessey, a volunteer at the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, said the whole team were very grateful to the Maldon Mud Race for the support.

“We’ve been involved in this event for many years now, it has always been a great one to come to raise awareness about the air ambulance and raise some money, long may it continue," he said.

By the time the race kicked off, the participants were being cheered on by the enormous spectating crowds.

Competitors raced to be the first to complete the 400 metre dash over over the bed of the River Blackwater.

Many competitors fell over into the mud as they waded their way through the course.

The Maldon Mud Race winner this year was Plume Academy teacher, Peter Carlsson, with the race over by 3.40pm.

Fantastic - Maldon Mud Race 2024 winner, Peter Carlsson (Image: Newsquest)

Difficult - competitors near the finishing line (Image: Newsquest)

He spoke to the Maldon & Burnham Standard after finishing first in just three minutes and 36 seconds.

He said: “There are 19 of us running here today to raise money for the David Randall Foundation.

“It’s my first time doing the mud race and I greatly enjoyed it.”

Kylie Whitlocke was the first woman to cross the finishing line in four minutes and 40 seconds.

Brian Farrington, 77, is the chairman of The Maldon Mud Race, and has been involved with the event since 2006.

Given the significance of this year’s event, he was blown away and delighted with how today has gone.

Having fun - a group of particpants with colourful hats (Image: Newsquest)

Smartly dressed - Peter Dyer, 62, after taking part in the race (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “I feel absolutely gobsmacked.

“The support from the public and the runners as well was absolutely amazing, we couldn’t have asked for a more brilliant day.

“It will probably be difficult to beat this.

Difficult - participants struggling in the mud (Image: Newsquest)

Amazing - more runners taking part (Image: Newsquest)

“I’m proud of my team, I couldn’t do this on my own, there are nine volunteers and we put on an event like this.

“When you think this takes a year to organise and to get sponsors, we’re not earning any money ourselves, it’s totally for charity.

“Last year, we gave just over £30,000 away and I would think today will be more.”