JCB Mud Run 2017

Fundraising and attendance records broken at sixth annual JCB Mud Run 

A RECORD-field of 3,000 people ran, crawled, climbed and splashed their way around JCB’s Mud Run course last Saturday (1 July) – raising a total of £70,042 at the sixth annual event.   

Competitors scrambled over more than 35 obstacles, including monkey bars and water pits, on a specially created 8km course, doused with one million litres of water and built on land near to JCB’s World Headquarters, in Rocester, Staffordshire.

It means that a grand total of £300,000 has been raised for the NSPCC in Staffordshire since the JCB Mud Run fundraising event started in 2012, when it only attracted a field of 500 entrants.

JCB chairman Lord Bamford was at the event to fire the starting gun for the first race in which his son, George Bamford, took part.

Afterwards, George presented a cheque for the proceeds to the NSPCC and said: ‘What an amazing total has been raised and what a fantastic day. I really enjoyed running the course with my wife, son and daughter. 

‘It really is the best one ever. To see how far this event has come in just six years is incredible and makes me very proud. But even though there are so many people here taking part we haven't lost the fun and family atmosphere and that's what makes it special.’

Camilla Wood, NSPCC partnership manager, who accepted the cheque, said: ‘We are overwhelmed by the effort and commitment of the JCB team and mud runners today. On behalf of the NSPCC team at Carole House, I'd like to say a big thank you to JCB for putting on a fantastic Mud Run as part of their ongoing support for our work with the most vulnerable children in Staffordshire. 

‘We are extremely grateful to everyone who braved the amazing obstacle course and raised vital funds to help keep children safe from abuse.’