As this is probably the only time I will ever be able to report that I actually WON a race I thought I'd post it on the blog! Steve and I entered the Mad Maldon Mud Race on 25th April Easter Monday. This is a challenging distance - 500m. No problem for two Striders surely? Sadly it is across the Blackwater estuary at low tide so there is lots of thick, gloopy mud to get across and armpit height water to deal with.
The winners get across and back in about five minutes. If you are not in the top 20 or so, then you are in trouble. The mud gets churned up and you start to sink. After an hour, the wet-suited marshalls start to drag people out!
Held each Christmas at the Maldon Promenade Park the race was delayed this year due to freezing conditions this winter. I can only thank the weather gods for that.
Only 250 competitors are allowed to enter and this year 12,000 people watched it so the atmosphere was very buzzy. Jo Brand, Sean Lock, and Ed and Andy from CBeebies and Blue Peter were taking part too. We entered as my Grandma lives there and we had watched it over the years and spent holidays on the prom. Loads of people dress up and there was a giant lobster and lots of "where's wallys'.
As we waited on the mud to start we both began to sink up to our knees, which was a bit worrying. Then the mud fight started... As the hooter sounded everyone surged forward and lots of people fell over as their legs were stuck.
Steve and I got through the water OK although someone did squash me down and tried to swim over me! We tried to run up the other bank but the mud was so squelchy we both fell flat on our faces and had to crawl - just like everyone else in front of us. I pulled myself up on a marker pole and ran/staggered along. I did look over at the bank and at the crowds and it made me get the giggles, which did not help. I became aware that I had caught up with Steve and I thought I might beat him for the first time ever, which made me put on a spurt! We crossed the line together. As we got out there was a big cheer and I was told I was the first woman back and I think I said "you are having a laugh". That marathon training paid off!! I had no idea I was first woman - I could not tell who was who in the mud!
We had to stagger through a crowd to get to the showers but we got lots of cheers and comments like "you mad xxxxxxxx". We showered off some of the mud while lots of kids watched and asked questions about what it was like. One man was painted in silver paint and wore a grass skirt which he lost in the mud. As he showered, everything was revealed.....
We were given a foil blanket and a cup of tea and we found Grandma and the girls. We walked back through the town in our muddy kit with lots of people giving us a wide berth.
We finished ahead of Ed from CBeebies and Andy from Blue Peter. Sean Lock came in at 227th and Jo Brand was last and had to be rescued.
I need to go back to Maldon for a presentation from the mayor and I will receive a silver plate. A big thank you for those track sessions etc - they were not in vain.
31st position Steve Alexander
32nd Becky Alexander (first lady home!)
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