In pictures: Maldon Mud Race 2025 in Essex

In pictures: Maldon Mud Race 2025 in Essex

Lewis Adams

BBC News, Essex

Reporting fromMaldon Mud Race

Chris Radburn/BBC People in fancy dress and none taking part in the Maldon Mud Race, across the River Chelmer, fighting and crawling their way to the finish line — People taking part in the Maldon Mud Race, fighting the river bed and crawling their way to the finish line

Thousands turned up to watch and cheer on charity mud racers as they slogged through the 440m (1,440ft) stretch of the River Chelmer at low tide.

The annual Maldon Mud Race in Essex saw Vicki Riley claim the title of fastest woman, while first-timer Joe Griggs was the first man to cross the finishing line.

Most people managed to complete the task, but for a few organisers had to get ropes and small paddle boats to help get them out of the water after the tide started to rise.

Here are a few pictures of those plucky people, who helped raise some £40,000 for Essex charities.

Hundreds tooks part, some getting stuck, as they eventually made it to the finishing line

Lewis Adams/BBC Man covered from head-to-toe in mud. Lots of people behind him can be seen making their way across a very muddy river estuary. — Hundreds tooks part, some getting stuck, as they eventually made it to the finishing line

Joe Griggs won the race as the first man to cross the finishing line – and only looking slightly muddy

Lewis Adams/BBC Joe Griggs holds up his prize - a silver plate - and is wearing a medal. Behind him is the muddy estuary at high tide. — Joe Griggs won the race as the first man to cross the finishing line – and only looking slightly muddy

Clean seems to be the theme to winning with Vicky Riley claiming the fastest-woman title

Lewis Adams/BBC Vicki Riley smiles as she holds up her medal. She wears a sweatshirt and around her are onlookers. — Clean seems to be the theme to winning with Vicky Riley claiming the fastest-woman title

Huge cheers were heard for the last across the line, while four people had to give up as the tide was rising

Lewis Adams/BBC A man in a wetsuit coated head to toe in mud gives a thumbs up at the finish line — Huge cheers were heard for the last across the line, while four people had to give up as the tide was rising

Finisher Joel Hicks, 46, from Leicestershire, was taking part in his 20th race

Lewis Adams/BBC Joel Hicks has a face full of mud. it's stuck in his beard and hair and on his teeth. — Finisher Joel Hicks, 46, from Leicestershire, was taking part in his 20th race

BBC Essex was represented by two presenters who were Maldon novices – Jodie Halford and Akylah Rodriguez

Lewis Adams/BBC BBC Essex presenters, Jodie Halford and Akylah Rodriguez cheer after making it through the mud. Jodie is particularly splattered. — BBC Essex was represented by two presenters who were Maldon novices – Jodie Halford and Akylah Rodriguez

Tea and a biscuit was served by Andy Munday, Halstead mayor and Linda Smith

Lewis Adams/BBC Andy Munday, the Mayor of Halstead, wearing a tea cup costume, with Linda Smith, dressed in a biscuit costume. — Tea and a biscuit was served by Andy Munday, Halstead mayor and Linda Smith

Nick Spit travelled from the Netherlands to take part in this “crazy race” after seeing videos of it online, and wore his mother’s gown (pictured before the race, needless to say)

Matt Mackay/BBC A man smiling, dressed in a white dress with red flowers, with his thumbs up — Nick Spit travelled from the Netherlands to take part in this “crazy race” after seeing videos of it online, and wore his mother’s gown (pictured before the race, needless to say)

And at the end , all they wanted was a hot shower, but had to make do with an open one and a long queue

Lewis Adams/BBC Hundreds of muddy racers queue for an outdoor shower — And at the end , all they wanted was a hot shower, but had to make do with an open one and a long queue

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