A record field of more than 2,850 entrants ensured this year’s
The event – now in its 4th year – has gone from strength to strength since it was first staged in 2012, when 500 people entered. The record field on Sunday 28 June attracted entrants from afar afield as Ireland, and English counties Norfolk, Devon, Essex, Yorkshire and Surrey and they slithered and clambered over more than 35 obstacles on land near JCB’s World Headquarters at Rocester, county Staffordshire, watched by 5,000 spectators.
Among the runners this year were the well-known adventurers, twins Ross and Hugo Turner, also known as ‘The Turner Twins’ and Commonwealth Games rowing silver medallist Nikki Spencer.
The JCB Mud Run raised a staggering €77,930 (£55,018) for the NSPCC and a cheque for the amount was handed over during the event by George Bamford, son of JCB Chairman Lord Bamford. It means JCB’s Mud Runs have raised an impressive €247,879 (£175,000) for the NSPCC since they started.
George Bamford, who was competing in his third JCB Mud Run, said: “This is a fantastic event which just gets better every year. The support and camaraderie as you go around the course is amazing. I’d like to say a big thank you to every single person who has taken part. Their support of the JCB Mud Run will make a fantastic difference to the lives of so many children right here in Staffordshire.”
The NSPCC is JCB’s nominated charity and the proceeds of the JCB Mud Run will be used at Carole House in Newcastle-under-Lyme, the charity’s service centre which was set up after JCB and its employees completed a £2 million fundraising campaign. Carole House is named in honour of Lady Bamford and JCB’s support of the NSPCC over more than 30 years.
Among those competing this year was JCB Parcel Stores employee Karl Sutton, 32, of Newcastle-under-Lyme. He completed the course not once, but twice: first on his own at 9am and then three hours later with a team of friends. His efforts delivered an additional cash boost to the NSPCC of more than £550.
Father-of-three Karl said: “The JCB Mud Run was great fun last year so I just had to come back for more and managed to encourage a few people to come along with me. The course was much tougher than last year. It has completely zapped my energy but I love a challenge and had a fantastic time yet again and I’m already looking forward to returning next year!”
Mud slides, a 100ft underground tunnel, monkey bars and climbing walls were among the obstacles competitors tackled around the course. And just to ensure youngsters didn’t miss out, there was also a mini Mud Run course for five to 12-year-olds which proved hugely popular.
Kirsty White, NSPCC fundraising manager, said: “We are amazed at the amount this year’s JCB Mud Run has raised. Once again, the event has been a huge success and we want to thank all the 2850 participants for taking part and braving the mud, all in aid of the NSPCC.
“The staff at JCB have been tireless in their fundraising efforts for the NSPCC and we are truly grateful for their generosity and support. Every penny raised by JCB will support our NSPCC service centre in Newcastle-under-Lyme, which provides therapeutic services to some of the most vulnerable children, young people and families in Staffordshire.”
Maria Bowman of the ‘Pink Plodders’, a group of ten ladies from Chellaston, Derby, said: “We always get together for group workouts so when we heard about the JCB Mud Run, we couldn’t resist getting stuck in and having a laugh along the way.”
Builder Scott Zikmanis, of Burton, Stoke-on-Trent, said: “I took part last year and absolutely loved it. I knew it would be tougher this year so upped my training a bit in preparation. The course was brilliant – more challenging than last year – and it was great not knowing what was going to be thrown at us next.”
Tom Sowter, a member of the Find-A-Physio team based in London, who were providing sports massages to participants, said: “It’s great to be attending such a fantastic event and to help participants relax after they’ve completed the run.”
Luke Eccles, of Melbourne, Derby enjoyed a sports massage at the Find-A-Physio tent. Luke said: “A massage was exactly what I needed after the gruelling run. This was my first year taking part in the event and it was definitely more challenging than I expected.”
Emma Shenton, of Waterhouses, near Leek, organised a team of four calling themselves the ‘Muddy Misfits’. Emma said: “This is my third year taking part in the JCB Mud Run and I can’t get enough of it. Each year the course gets more and more gruelling, but we’re in it for the fun.”
