HUNDREDS of gutsy fundraisers battled across the muddy banks of the Blackwater Estuary for the annual Maldon Mud Race yesterday.
The sun shined on the event, which drew competitors from different towns, counties and even countries to participate in the 400m dash through the thick mud in Promenade Park.
Clowns, Hawaiian hula dancers, Elvis impersonators and even Smurfs were ready to get dirty all in the name of charity. CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES FROM THE EVENT
Winner of the 2012 dash, Rob Cooper, returned as the Tin Man in Team Dorothy, joined by friends and family making up the fantasy crew.
"I don't think I'm going to try and win again this year, I'll leave it to someone else," he said prior to the race.
"I think we're just going to be the team who raises the most money instead because that's what it's all about after all."
For others the event was simply a unique way to celebrate. Demelzak Wenlock had decided to compete to mark her 27th birthday and arrived wearing a birthday cake hat complete with woollen candles to honour the occasion.
"We watched it last year and saw it was horrendous but it didn't put us off," she said joined by her mother.
"I'm feeling quite nervous though, I don't know what to expect."
As 3pm approached the 300-strong crowd of competitors gathered at the start line.
Safety marshals positioned themselves along the course thigh-deep in mud, an air ambulance took one quick circuit of the area and footballing legend Martin Peters spoke a few final words of encouragement. And then they were off.
A few ran, some staggered and many more crawled on all-fours around the 457-metre course cheered on by the thousands of spectators lining the banks.
