Mud Runner Classic

Rachel Jones of Hay Hotfooters Running Club / 12.11.2010

It was to be my last hoorah of the year, my last race before the end of 2010 so I entered with pure enjoyment in mind. I must admit though, that when I stood in the field at Eastnor Castle, looking at some very athletic people, I was starting to get a bit nervous. Good job I had my very own motivational support in for the form of Alan Harrhy to gee me up! Mud Runner is described as an Adventure Race, and my god what an adventure!

As the numbers had increased on last years entry, they started us off in waves. Waves of a different sort were to feature quite heavily over the next 6ish (or nearer 7) miles. Having sussed out the form of my fellow competitors I left Alan to the first wave and I trotted along with the third and last wave. About 30m from the start you get your first real taste of what's to come with a dash through a rather smelly stream. Depending on where you ran in the stream (and the length of your legs) depended on whether this was a calf cooling dash or a mid thigh tussle. We then had a rather nice run across some fields before hitting the woods and the route they test Landrovers on!

Alan had warned me of the horrific shrieks and screams, but as you entered the wood, any innocent spectator might have thought there was a re-make of the Blair Witch project going on in there. When you heard the screams, you knew there was mud, thick, gloopy, oozing, squelching mud round the corner. Sometimes this meant a quick, don't-put-your-feet-down-for-long dash, other times it was a hold onto something steady, and hope-you-don't-loose-your-trainers push through the mud.

Most of the way round I was near a couple of rather enthusiastic mud bathers who belly flopped any hint of a muddle puddle, so I was frequently propelled through the runnier sections by a tidal wave of mud. After the water (and Red Bull) station, which is around half way, the course took a straighter, but still muddy, route through some more woods. Running through mud had taken its toll on my legs and I'm afraid I walked up quite a few of the hills, but once I saw the castle, it spurred me on to the finish. Before reaching the finish though, there was a swamp and more water and then a really nice dash for the finish line through the main arch at the castle.

The whole thing was an absolute hoot! I loved it and will be back for more mud next October. I'd heartily recommend it to anyone, but if you don't like mud or if you're at all concerned about your appearance, best stick to the tarmac!