THE organisers of the Maldon Mud Race have announced that the 2021 event has been cancelled.

The famous event was - like many others - cancelled due to Covid-19 in 2020.

Heartbreakingly, it seems the popular and unique race - so much a part of the town for decades - has fallen victim to the pandemic a second time as the organisers announced this morning (Friday, 16 July) that the planned return of Maldon Mud Race on Sunday, 15 August will now not happen.

A spokesperson for the organisers said in a statement: "Since the 1980's the charity team who produce the annual Maldon Mud Race have strived to create an exciting event which attracts huge crowds to Maldon and in turn raises thousands for local charities.

"Despite the apparent relaxing of restrictions by the Government, the team feel they have no other option left but to cancel the 2021 event and look to 2022."

Chairman of the Maldon Mud Race, Brian Farrington, added: "We are so disappointed to cancel with only four weeks before the event.

"Just when we felt we had done everything to ensure the safety of entrants, volunteers, sponsors and spectators, we find ourselves put in a very difficult situation. The continued uncertainty surrounding the Delta variant and the difficulties of social distancing a large event with only a small team really leaves us with no alternative, coupled with uncertainty surrounding factors which are outside the control of the organising committee.

"We are devastated to be in this position once again but as with many large events, the health and safety of the public, competitors, sponsors and volunteers must be paramount, and the financial security of future events must be our priority."

He continued: "It's a huge blow to the many charities we support and of course, the many regular visitors to the area and all the families within the local community who attend will miss this opportunity to see such a great event in their park. But be assured, we will be back on in April 2022 and exciting plans are already underway.

"We hope our many supporters will continue to be generous and help fill all the holes left in the budgets of worthy charities by Covid-19 over the course of 2020 and 2021."

"The Maldon Mud Race will return in 2022."

Councillor Wendy Stamp, Leader of Maldon District Council, said: "We are saddened to hear that the Maldon Mud Race will not take place this year. However, we totally respect and support the difficult, but very responsible decision, the Mud Race Committee have taken and we look forward to supporting the Mud Race organisers to bring their event to Maldon next year."