Mud, sweat, cow pats and flying tarpaulins

The third annual Muddy Cow Fun Run took place over a distance of about 5km on land in the La Grande Mare area of Vazon belonging to Rob Waters.

Raising money for three charities – Men’s Shed Guernsey, Male Uprising Guernsey, and the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation – the event is the brainchild of Bryan O’Meara, who works for Guernsey Clematis.

‘I have a running background and I was running through here one idyllic Saturday morning when I looked at the iconic Guernsey scenery and thought other people might enjoy it too,’ he said.

It had been far from idyllic on Saturday, he said, when man-made obstacles were being added to the course during Storm Arwen.

‘We ended up chasing a tarpaulin across a farmyard and laying in cow poo,’ said Mr O’Meara.

The course had dried significantly in the last 24 hours but he said it would still be muddy.

Last year’s event raised £6,200, which was shared between the three charities and it was hoped that the £7,000 figure could be passed this year.

Mr O’Meara said he could not put on the event without the support of such a great team which included members of J P’s Running Club and distance.gg who acted as marshals. He was grateful too to Mr Waters for use of the land.

Grammar School premises manager Geoff Browning was taking part for the second year with members of his family, including wife Tina and one of their grandsons, Lucas Sharp, 9, who goes to Hautes Capelles Primary School.

‘For me, the charity aspect is first, the fun part second, and the insanity third,’ said Mr Browning.

Most entrants were jogging on the spot to keep warm in the bitterly cold conditions ahead of the 10am start.

They included Robert Pickford, 38, who works in private banking and who supports the Priaulx Premature Baby Foundation.

‘I was supposed to be doing it with the rest of the family but they’ve all got Covid,’ he said.

‘I’ve had it but I’m clear now and the only one who’s allowed out.’

Phil Martin, 34, who also works in finance, was taking part in Muddy Cow for the first time.

‘My sister-in-law works for Alter Domus, who are sponsoring the event,’ he said.

‘It’s a different challenge and not the type of thing that happens often.’

Mr Martin said he had taken part in the Hash House Harriers mud runs which were held in Footes Lane about 10 years ago.

The first 350 entrants to sign up got a cow-patterned technical T-shirt made from recycled material. More than 150 people had done so within the first 24 hours.

The inaugural Muddy Cow run was held in aid of Men’s Shed Guernsey only and it raised just over £2,000.