The teenage son of a Paralympian has triumphed in the annual Maldon Mud Race, fighting off hundreds of competitors to claim gold after wading across a boggy riverbed. Albert Crates, aged 16, managed to run, walk, and crawl his way to victory on Sunday across a 440-metre stretch of the muddy River Blackwater in Essex, making him the youngest person ever to win the race.
A Family Affair
Albert is the son of Danny Crates, a British world record holder in the 800 metres who competed in the T46 category for arm amputees at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Despite his father's athletic pedigree, Albert admitted he had done no training whatsoever for the event. When asked by the BBC if he had prepared, he replied: 'None at all, absolutely nothing. My legs are burning, but my head is very happy. I don't know how I did it... I'll be coming back next year.'
History of the Race
The dirty dash dates back to 1973, originating from a bet at the local pub Queen's Head. A regular was challenged to serve a meal on the riverbank dressed in a dinner jacket. The challenge evolved into a race across the river to a waiting barrel of beer, where racers would drink a pint before slipping and sliding back to the other side. Now a charity event, the beer barrel has been removed, and runners raise tens of thousands of pounds each year for good causes.
Race Day Conditions
Participants ran, walked, and crawled through thick mud and across the riverbed. The river temperature was predicted to be around 8 degrees Celsius on race day. Some contestants chose to up the ante by dressing in fancy dress, with bananas, Where's Wally, fairies, Mario, Batman, and Minions among the costumes seen crossing the riverbank.
This year also welcomed the first-ever elite race for the super-sporty, won by John Matthews, who only signed up last week. Matthews said: 'It was much harder than I thought it would be, near enough impossible. You have to pull your legs out with your hands, it was near enough a full body workout.'
Father's Pride
Paralympian Danny Crates was left perplexed by his son's success. He said: 'Being the youngest and potentially setting a record time makes it special as well. He's put me to shame. I'd still be out there now if I'd run it.'
The event attracts hundreds of competitors from as far afield as Australia and Japan. In 2022, some 20,000 people attended the race, according to organisers.
