Essex mud race to be started by comedian Jo Brand in Sean Lock tribute
The race returns after a three year absence due to Covid
Last updated 3rd Apr 2022
An Essex charity have announced their annual mud race will be started by comedian Jo Brand this year to pay tribute to Sean Lock.
Maldon Mud Race feature racers scrambling across a muddy course in Promenade Park as quickly as they can, all to raise money for local causes.
The event's Chairman, Brian Farrington, says Jo's kicking things off in tribute to her friend, fellow comedian, Sean Lock, who died last year following a battle with cancer: "10 years ago she took part in the race - at least she tried, but didn't get very far!
"She took part with Sean Lock, who sadly died last year, so she's starting the race as a tribute.
"Jo's daughter and her daughter's partner will also be running the race as a tribute, which is lovely."
Taking place on 24th April, this will be the first event for three years, after a Covid-imposed forced hiatus.
He says they have regular runners who return year after year, who are thrilled to have the event back: "There's one gentleman from Leicester who loves doing it. He's known as 'The Naked Man' because he has been known to lose his clothes on a number of occasions.
"He's a male model, a bit of a beefcake to ladies, I suppose. He's done the race lots of times and will be back this year."
They're expecting 300 runners to take part, and up to 7000 spectators, depending on the weather.
They'll also have an unusual set of runners: "We have a couple who are getting married. They've put it off for three years to take part and the whole wedding party will be at the race.
"They'll be married in the morning and she'll be racing in her wedding dress!"
Whilst it's a short course, Brian says it's a lot harder than it looks: "It's a quarter of a mile route which might look easy to do, but if you get your foot stuck in the mud, you'll be there for quite a while...
"We had someone run it in under three minutes, but the slowest person can take around an hour."