Guernsey Press

Mud, mud, glorious mud

AROUND 500 runners spent yesterday morning slipping and sliding through muddy obstacles to raise money for charity.

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Helen and Willow Bull, nine, and Mike Miller at the Muddy Cow 5K run yesterday. (Pictures by Sophie Rabey, 28963048)

The sold-out Muddy Cow 5K fun run was originally due to take place in March, but was postponed due to Covid-19.

The race finally took place yesterday, with runners enjoying unseasonably warm sunshine, before diving into the chilly mud and then being hosed down by local firefighters.

Race director Bryan O’Meara said it was great the event was finally able to go ahead.

‘Last year was the first year and we had 270 people, so we have double this year,’ he said.

‘It will be a really good challenge for the runners.’

Racers started from the Vazon loophole tower and went through fields behind La Grande Mare.

Among the runners was the Svejstrup family – dad Ove, mum Jeanne and children Axel, 11, and Katrine, eight.

Mr Svejstrup said his upbringing on a Danish farm was going to have prepared him well for yesterday’s event.

‘We thought it would be fun to get muddy,’ he said.

‘This is the first time for all of us. But other people said it would be fun.’

Their car was lined with towels for when they needed to get home after the race.

Kelly Hainsworth was also a first-time participant, having been talked into taking part by her friend Amanda Crowther-Martel.

‘I thought it sounded like a great idea in March,’ Miss Hainsworth said.

‘I’m looking forward to today. I run a bit normally, but I am not a runner.’

Her friend Mrs Crowther-Martel is a returning Muddy Cow runner.

‘It was good fun last time, but I was expecting it to be more of a challenge this time. I do run, but it is nice to do something a bit different and more fun.’

The money raised from the event will be split between Male Uprising Guernsey/Men’s Shed and the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation.

Mr O’Meara said they were very grateful to farmer Rob Waters, who allows them to use his fields. Normally the race takes place on Mothering Sunday, but with that being relatively close, no decision has yet been made about when the next fun run could take place.

n A video of the start of the race is available on the Guernsey Press Facebook page.