Maldon Mud Race 2007

As a sailboat racer who took part in the H.B.S.C. mud race in which the pulling or pushing of a 14 foot 100 kilo wooden sailing dinghy from the channel to the wooden slip was part of the event! The site of 181 assorted Palm Trees, Horses, Wonder women, Batmen, clowns and jail birds eager to race round a 400 yard course through 3 feet of beautiful blue mud with a silky brown topping, passing across the Maldon creek on their way out and the return (at low water) has a sobering enlightenment not dissimilar to cold jelled eels.
Essex Radio (event link) doing the verbals inadvertently were involved in a premature start (that no way was to be restarted!) with the promoting of a Mexican Wave “you ready at the left hand end - on the count of three…1 2 3” and a 181 competitors run into the mud. Cheered on by the crowded promenade.

The radio bloke did not know whether to call them back or run and hide. But it did not matter a didley-scott. It was a sight to see the winner step out a bit lively (just walking at times) and cross the finish line hardly mudded, playing the rich get richer card known so well in sailboat racing (a tad boring it could be said) second place had been held by a chap who tried the Penguin style of sliding across the ice propelled by the feet. Sadly this does not work on Maldon Mud and looked seriously life threatening.

He was absorbed by the pursuing mid fleet pack. It would appear that for most spreading the body weight on all fours is a worthy option (not a winning move but you do stay on the top of the mud) for those in the middle to the back! Well if you like mud you have got it, but no worries the rescue team is on hand, with rope, and with the careful passing of rope under submersed body parts you can be extracted before dark. I fear no money was raised in the infamous Merlin mud race where as thousands of pounds come from this event.

This ends sailing reports for this year on the Blackwater River, but do not despair next weekend starts a new year and the Blackwater Icicle Trophy at Maylandsea Bay - an early start 10:00 on a 5.02m tide. The race committee tell me that there are some special features to the event “I just can’t wait” now read on dit dit dit.