Jo Brand’s daughter Maisie Bourke on her Maldon Mud Race experience: “I absolutely loved it - I’m going to apply again next year!”

By Ben Shahrabi

26th Apr 2022 | Local News

Maisie Bourke and her boyfriend Alfie Richer competed in the race last Sunday to raise money for charity, in memory of comedian Sean Lock and her uncle Bill.

The pair beat their fundraising target, raising £2,165 (as of April 26) for Macmillan Cancer Support, along with Maldon Mud Race's charities. You can still donate to their JustGiving campaign here.

Speaking to Nub News after the Mud Race, Maisie, 21, said: "I absolutely loved the race - I really would do it again!

"I love any sort of adventure activity, it's my kind of thing!

"And doing it for charity felt so good."

300 people took part in the race (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

More than 300 participants battled through the mud, including a bride and groom, following the countdown from comedian Jo Brand.

Nearly 15,000 spectators attended the race at Promenade Park, Maldon. Crowds gathered on the path alongside it.

Ahead of the race, Maisie said: "I'm feeling really pleased to be doing something for charity.

"My mum told me to 'just have fun and go for it!'"

Musician Maisie with her mum Jo Brand (Photo: Maldon Mud Race)

Her mum Jo Brand, 64, took on the Mud Race in 2010, with the late Sean Lock, who died last year.

After getting stuck, Jo had to be dragged out of the mud, later saying she can't remember if she had 'ever been more humiliated'.

Given her experience, she was able to give her daughter some advice:

"At first, she told me to cheat, like she tried to, but backtracked pretty quick," Maisie continued.

This was Maisie's first time visiting Maldon, but her boyfriend Alfie is from Essex, where Maisie lived for a few months over lockdown and got to know it 'pretty well'.

For some people, the mud proved too much, and they had to be helped out by Mud Race staff (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Maldon Mud Race organiser Brian Farrington said: "We were delighted Jo Brand came along to start the race, and watch daughter her Maisie and her boyfriend Alfie run.

"We've received great publicity, with many requests for sponsorship in 2023 and a huge number of entrant requests for the next race."

A lucky few were even able to stay upright (Photo: Ben Shahrabi)

Organisers hope to make 2023's Mud Race the biggest event yet.

This year's race was sponsored by Porsche Colchester, PGR Builder & Timber, Rossi Ice Cream, Jewsons Maldon and Wilkin & Sons Tiptree Jams, among others.