Posted on 15th Dec 2011 @ 12:15 PM

Entry forms and event details will soon be available for 2009’s ‘Maldon Mud Race’, an annual event which sees hundreds of competitors in fancy dress dash across the mud of the river Blackwater in Maldon, Essex during low-tide. The event, which often draws thousands of spectators and worldwide media attention, began in 2002 and regularly raises large amounts of cash for causes such as the Essex Air Ambulance and various children’s charities. Last year’s event rose over £30,000, and saw masses of fairies, sailors and a motley assortment of mud-drenched participants brave the freezing cold in early January, for a day of fun, prizes, and above all, mud.

The start of the fancy dress race is usually marked by the appearance of a minor celebrity, such as former X-factor contestant Amy Connelly, and generally takes place in sub-zero temperatures. The date for this year’s event currently remains to be set, but will take place at some point over the Christmas and New Year holidays, depending on the tides. If you’re feeling brave, why not sign up for the toe-chilling mud-splattering event, and get yourself sorted with a suitably unsuitable costume, such as a pirate, superhero or cartoon character. Details and registration forms, as well as reports and pictures from previous year’s events, can be found over at www.maldonmudrace.com.

If you can cobble together enough equally mad friends or work colleagues, there are also prizes for the fastest teams to cross the finish line.