Maldon Mud Race returns this weekend for an action-packed day of fun, charity and racing.

Thousands will descend on Maldon Promenade Park on May 4 for the biggest event in the Maldon calendar.

Not only will there be music and entertainment, visitors get to watch on as hundreds of fancy dressed participants make the dash across the muddy bank of the River Blackwater. 

More than 20,000 people attended the 2024 Maldon Mud Race, with over £35,000 raised for local charities.

This year's event kicks off at 10am, with the race set to start promptly at 1pm.

Thousands from across Essex and beyond will head to the park this weekend. (Credit: Jon Striking Faces/ Maldon Mud Race)

The race isn't all the excitement though! BBC Essex will be taking the stage from 10.45am for interviews and music, with competitions and activities taking place all day across the park. 

There will be a funfair for the kids as well as artisan food and bars (including a Pimm's Bar and Tiptree Tea Bus!) to keep all visitors fed and refreshed.

The timetable for the day is as follows: 

10.15 am: Music from EVY 

10.45 am:Interviews on BBC Essex with local charities including Home-Start and ABF Soldiers Charity 

11.00 am: BBC Essex stage with Irie J, soul legend 

11.30 am: Danny Crates Paralympian interview

12:00pm: Olympic Bronze Medallist Boxer Lewis Richardson on stage

12.30 pm: Lightspeed Fancy Dress judging 

12.45 pm: Entrant Warm up by Natasha Woolley 

1 pm - 2 pm: Race

2.30 pm: Winner Trophy presentation 

3 pm: Irie J - wind down with great music from soul legend Irie J 

5 pm: Event ends

What to expect: 

Sponsors PGR Builders & Timber will be one of the stalls holding giveaways, with First Bus also giving away freebies. 

There will also be several charities and local businesses hosting stalls that you can browse in the time before and after the race. 

The race portion of the event will begin with a warm-up for competitors, before they take their positions at the start line. 

Competitors will then race across the river bank, before turning and racing back to the shore. 

Winners will then be awarded as part of a trophy presentation.

Who will be crowned the winner? (Credit: Maldon Mud Race)

How to get there: 

First Bus will be offering free Bus Travel via their new Route 333. The service runs hourly between Heybridge and Chelmsford, travelling through Maldon.

Competitors have access to free parking at the Lower Plume School on Mill Road. Competitions should've received a map and a parking permit.

For spectators, other car parks will be clearly signposted. Maldon High Street car parks (Butt Lane and Edward's Walk) will be open alongside the Promenade Park car parks. 

Entry is by donation, with money raised going to 12 local charities, including Farleigh Hospice and Essex & Herts Air Ambulance. 

Find out more on the Maldon Mud Race website here.