Mud, sweat and tears - what is the Maldon Mud Race?

Hundreds of competitors are preparing to put mud, sweat and tears into slogging their way across a boggy riverbed.

The Maldon Mud Race will take place across a 440m (1,443ft) stretch of the River Chelmer at low tide on Sunday.

Organiser Brian Farrington said one woman previously remarked the gruelling challenge in Essex was "harder than child birth".

With the fundraiser marking its 51st year, here is what racers, supporters and mud enthusiasts can expect.

First staged in 1973, the mud race has become synonymous with the maritime and market town of Maldon.

It was born out of a dare made to the landlord of the Queen's Head pub, on Hythe Quay.

He had to serve a meal on the saltings, a strip of land in the river that only appears at low tide, dressed in a dinner jacket.

Such was the excitement about the antics, the next year a bar was placed on the saltings, which 20 people waded over to for a pint.

The event took place at the end of December each year, until weather concerns in 2010 saw it moved to spring 2011.

Sunnier weather - and an appearance from TV comic Jo Brand - helped its popularity and the switch was made a permanent one from then on.

Sunday's race will be less boozy, but certainly not less strenuous for those fighting to not get stuck in the mud near the Promenade Park.

Competitors from across the UK and abroad brave the bog by crossing the river, running along a stretch of it and then returning back across the water.

The record time for clamouring through the sludge? An inspired two minutes and 48 seconds, run by Jason Taylor.

At the other end of the spectrum, some determined entrants have taken up to 35 minutes to cross the finish line.

Last year's winner, Peter Carlsson, was just seven seconds off topping the fastest time while representing nearby school Plume Academy.

He and 356 others were watched by about 20,000 people, who soaked up the atmosphere from the safety of the grass.

In total, £40,000 was raised for local charities.

The event is due to run from 10:00 to 17:00 BST on Sunday, with the race starting at about 13:00, subject to the tide.

All entrants have to be aged 16 or over.

Organisers are again expecting 20,000 visitors to line the quay and watch on.

Mud race chairman Brian Farrington told the BBC he was excited for the event's return.

He warned this year's competitors that the final climb up the river bank was "exhausting".

The 78-year-old said: "A lot of people think it's all easy because it's not a long distance.

"But one woman last year told me it was harder than child birth."

BBC Essex is hosting live entertainment from the main stage, with live inserts into its radio programme too.

Its presenters Akylah Rodriguez and Jodie Halford have also enlisted themselves to take on the mud.

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