Flemington Mud Run lures 400 who are quickly browned off

WALLYS GALORE: The "Where's Wally?" team, which took out the prize for best fancy dress in the mud run, didn't look quite as pristine at the finish. Photo/Duncan Brown

There were more than a few Wallys - of the good type, though - at the 2017 Flemington Mud Run at Lake Station in Central Hawke's Bay on the weekend.

Among the 400 entries who took part in the annual fundraiser for Flemington School on Sunday were a large number of colourfully dressed participants, including a "Where's Wally?" team which took out the prize for the best fancy dress.

But by the time they reached the finish line of the obstacle course on Andy and Hayley Barrett's property at Wanstead, their colourful costumes were all a similar shade of brown, said Michelle Miller, one of the organisers.

"There was simply no opportunity to stay clean and dry."

Muddy fun might have been had by all, but the course was not for the faint-hearted, she said.

"From electrified fence wires, polar plunges, stock truck mazes, tyre walls and a 40m-long mudslide, to name a few obstacles, there was never a dull moment."

With options of a 2.5km, 5km or 10km course, the event attracted competitors of all ages.

Online registrations for the event had been "incredibly successful", she said, with the majority of entries received weeks in advance.

"Despite chilly conditions on the day, it was a wonderful success for the school.

"Money raised from this event will go a long way towards the provision of an additional teacher and teacher aide support for all the pupils of Flemington School."

Organisers have already pencilled in a provisional date of Sunday, November 18, for next year's mud run.