Kent Messenger Maidstone

MUCK ABOUT

Having fun in mud run

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Raising money for charity can be a grubby business - as runners found out at a race in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Maidstone’s Mote Park was overrun with participan­ts for the organisati­on’s Pretty Muddy obstacle course on Sunday.

Competitor­s took on the challengin­g 5k run, scrambled over an A-frame, and crawled through a mud pit to do their bit to help beat cancer.

Children had the chance to take on the challenge too.

Their course included an extra obstacle, where they could shoot down a waterslide and splash into a pool of mud. Those who weren’t so keen on getting dirty took to the park the previous day to compete in the Race for Life.

Despite temperatur­es hitting a sweltering 30 degrees over the weekend, 6,000 runners took part.

Thanks to their efforts, the events raised a whopping £420,000 which will go towards vital research.

Jess Edwards, events manager at Maidstone Race for Life, said: “Maidstone did us proud – it was a fantastic weekend.

“Both days were very hot but people threw themselves into it – especially on the Sunday when we had the Pretty Muddy events. The kids loved getting soaked in water and caked in mud. The women were the same – like big kids. And most importantl­y of course, every step each one of them took, was helping our scientists beat cancer.”

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 ??  ?? Children dive into the dirt at Cancer Research’s Pretty Muddy run on Sunday
Children dive into the dirt at Cancer Research’s Pretty Muddy run on Sunday
 ??  ?? A special version of Pretty Muddy was put on for youngsters, including obstacles and a mud pit
A special version of Pretty Muddy was put on for youngsters, including obstacles and a mud pit
 ??  ?? And they’re off, as the race gets underway in Mote Park (2929565)
And they’re off, as the race gets underway in Mote Park (2929565)
 ??  ?? (2926829) Runners line up in Maidstone’s Mote Park
(2926829) Runners line up in Maidstone’s Mote Park
 ??  ?? (2929582) Some came out muddier than others
(2929582) Some came out muddier than others
 ??  ?? (2929551) Muddy by name, muddy by nature
(2929551) Muddy by name, muddy by nature
 ??  ?? Running for Cancer Research (2929495)
Running for Cancer Research (2929495)
 ??  ?? Taking a turn on the mud slide
Taking a turn on the mud slide
 ??  ?? (2926817) Many turned out in fancy dress
(2926817) Many turned out in fancy dress
 ??  ?? Entrants ran, walked, and even limped the distance (2929496)
Entrants ran, walked, and even limped the distance (2929496)
 ??  ?? One young runner, post-mud pit (2929576)
One young runner, post-mud pit (2929576)
 ??  ?? Celebratio­ns at the finish line at Maidstone’s Race For Life
Celebratio­ns at the finish line at Maidstone’s Race For Life
 ?? Picture: Sean Aidan (2926826) ?? A cheerleadi­ng squad help to raise weary spirits at the Race for Life
Picture: Sean Aidan (2926826) A cheerleadi­ng squad help to raise weary spirits at the Race for Life
 ??  ?? There was also a mud run for adults (2929523)
There was also a mud run for adults (2929523)
 ?? Picture: Andy Jones (2929556) ??
Picture: Andy Jones (2929556)
 ??  ?? Getting ready for the start of the race (2929492)
Getting ready for the start of the race (2929492)
 ??  ?? (2926820) Ady Jolliffe, 10
(2926820) Ady Jolliffe, 10

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