Plume Academy announces team for Maldon Mud Race 2026

The Maldon Mud Race is an annual charity event where runners crawl and wade through 400 to 500 metres of thick mud in the River Blackwater at Promenade Park.

The next Maldon Mud Race will take place on Sunday, April 26 with Maldon Plume’s Academy now announcing their team.

The school’s team consists of 15 staff and students which includes joint head of Academy, Ruth Clark, who is once again taking part.

Fundraiser - Plume Academy's 15-strong team of students and staff will be fundraising at the upcoming Maldon Mud Race (Image: Plume Academy)

Mrs Clark said: “Plume is Maldon’s community academy and the sole provider of secondary education in the town.

“Supporting our community and local charities is central to our role. As such an important event in the community calendar, we wanted to support the Maldon Mud Race once again, and our students and staff are excited to take on the challenge.

"We know it will be a memorable experience, and we will do our utmost to raise additional funds for this wonderful charity.”

Ms Clark said she was sure the school will be out in force to cheer on staff and students as they become mud runners for the day.

Head boy Benjamin Whitworth and head girl Nicole Kaczynska said: “We are so excited to be cheering the Plume team on this year, with Nicole participating in it herself.

“We are both so pleased to see the Plume family actively engaging in one of the most exciting events in Maldon. We hope that everyone enjoys the event, we certainly will.”

Joint head of academy Tom Baster also said he would like to thank Cadman Construction who have generously provided branded t-shirts for staff and students to wear during the race.

Maldon Mud Race Chairman Brian Farrington added: “We have always worked closely with Plume Academy, and we are grateful that they have once again mustered such a large team.

“We know how hard all the staff and students work, and for them to give up a precious Sunday is incredibly kind. A team of this size will undoubtedly raise a generous amount for local charities. Plume Community Academy will be donating 50/50 to the Maldon Mud Race and their chosen charity, The David Randall Foundation.”

To donate visit www.peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/plume-academy-mud-race-2026.