People taking part in the Maldon Mud Race, fighting the river bed and crawling their way to the finish line
Thousands turned up to watch and cheer on charity mud racers as they slogged through the 440m (1,440ft) stretch of the River Chelmer at low tide.
The annual Maldon Mud Race in Essex saw Vicki Riley claim the title of fastest woman, while first-timer Joe Griggs was the first man to cross the finishing line.
Most people managed to complete the task, but for a few organisers had to get ropes and small paddle boats to help get them out of the water after the tide started to rise.
Here are a few pictures of those plucky people, who helped raise some £40,000 for Essex charities.
Hundreds tooks part, some getting stuck, as they eventually made it to the finishing line
Chris Radburn/Fixedpoint Media
Unidentifiable and struggling to stay upright
Lewis Adams/BBC
Joe Griggs won the race as the first man to cross the finishing line - and only looking slightly muddy
Lewis Adams/BBC
Clean seems to be the theme to winning with Vicky Riley claiming the fastest-woman title
Lewis Adams/BBC
Huge cheers were heard for the last across the line, while four people had to give up as the tide was rising
Chris Radburn/Fixedpoint Media
She just might have ruined her costume
Lewis Adams/BBC
Finisher Joel Hicks, 46, from Leicestershire, was taking part in his 20th race
Lewis Adams/BBC
BBC Essex was represented by two presenters who were Maldon novices - Jodie Halford and Akylah Rodriguez
Chris Radburn/Fixedpoint Media
Some girls are muddier than others
Lewis Adams/BBC
Tea and a biscuit was served by Andy Munday, Halstead mayor and Linda Smith
Matt Mackay/BBC
Nick Spit travelled from the Netherlands to take part in this "crazy race" after seeing videos of it online, and wore his mother's gown (pictured before the race, needless to say)
Lewis Adams/BBC
And at the end , all they wanted was a hot shower, but had to make do with an open one and a long queue