Competitors in Hawkstone Park mud run challenge
[gallery] More than 200 runners took on one of the toughest race challenges in Shropshire this weekend at the first "mud run" of the year.
The Follies Mud Run was held in the beautiful surroundings of Hawkstone Park and Follies, near Market Drayton.
Competitors were faced with mud, hundreds of steps, caves, woodland trails and a very steep road over the nine-mile course, with 206 people completing the race.
It was won by Carl Aveyard, who completed the course in just under 46 minutes on Saturday. The first woman to cross the line was Amanda Purves, finishing in just over 57 minutes.
Organisers, Ultimate Fitness Experience, have designed the runs to be suitable for many levels of fitness, with entry open to anyone over 18. Each event and venue has unique obstacles and challenges along the way, some of which can be tackled alone, but some require the help of other competitors.
Many of the runners also used the event to raise funds for charity.
Tom Meehan, from Ultimate Fitness Experience, said: "The first in the Shropshire Mud Run series was a great success. We hope more people will be able to join us for a different venue with a different feel – probably a colder one – at the Marshbrook Mud Run on November 30, near Church Stretton."
