A record field of more than 2,850 entrants ensured this year’s JCB Mud Run was the most successful ever – delivering a boost of more than £55,000 for the NSPCC’s work with children in Staffordshire.
The event – now in its 4th year – has gone from strength to strength since it was first staged in 2012, when 500 people entered. Today’s record field attracted entrants from afar afield as Ireland, 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 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 £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 £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 Blurton, 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.”
A team from JCB dealer Gunn JCB in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, took part for the third year running. Team member Josh Richardson said: “The course is definitely much more difficult this year. The monkey bars are my favourite part and the first stretch is always the toughest for me.
Every single person has a smile on their face as they’re going round, which always makes for a brilliant time.”
Veteran roadrunner Mark Dalkins, of Cheadle, Staffordshire, said: “There were a lot more obstacles compared to last year and there seemed to be a lot more water too. It was a great challenge and I really enjoyed myself.”
Sisters Laura and Kim Jeffery, who both work at JCB World Headquarters at Rocester, Staffs, formed ’50 Shades of Clay’, a team of eight runners. Laura said: “We’ve taken part for four years in a row now and the course always gets more and more challenging, which is why we love it! We love the challenge and had great fun getting covered in mud.”
A team of nine from the design and development department at JCB’s Cecilly Mills factory in Cheadle, dressed as ‘The Minions’. Participant Darren Glover said: “It was really tough going this year but it’s well worth it for such a great cause. The first mile seemed to go on forever but I didn’t notice the pain as we were having such a laugh. It’s great for team bonding too and we’re already planning what we’re going to dress up as next year!”
