We're expecting the race to start soonpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 4 May
We're inching closer to our 13:00 BST start time - but that's dependent on the tide.
If the waves are behaving, participants should be bolting off shortly.
Summary
A first-time competitor has won the Maldon Mud Race in Essex, as hundreds of people slogged it out across a muddy riverbed
One participant says "it was harder than childbirth", mud race chairman Brian Farrington tells the BBC - find out how the race works
Another runner travelled to Essex from the Netherlands wearing the dress his mother wore to his sister's wedding
The annual event, which first got under way in 1973, drew more than 20,000 spectators last year and managed to raise thousands of pounds for charity
The race kicked off at about 13:00 BST and we've been following all the mucky moments
We're expecting the race to start soonpublished at 12:46 British Summer Time 4 May
A mud-caked wedding dress and other sludge-filled costumespublished at 12:40 British Summer Time 4 May
No, they weren't cosplaying as a bride and groom.
Dom (left) and Matt Sellors (right) actually married earlier in the day before taking part in 2022:
Image source, GettyImage caption, The newly-married couple celebrate their special day in the Maldon mud
As with plenty of the world’s quirkiest events, the Maldon Mud Race attracts competitors in a wild array of costumes.
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, Where's Wally?
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Batman and the Joker answer the Maldon mud's call
'It was harder than childbirth'published at 12:28 British Summer Time 4 May
Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A well-deserved rest
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the thing that stands in the way of eternal glory for the competitors is mud – and lots of it.
No-one has ever run the race faster than Jason Taylor, who completed it in two minutes and 48 seconds in 2022.
At the other end of the spectrum, some participants can be seen still clambering through the bog after 35 minutes.
Organiser Brian Farrington told me many are surprised by how “exhausting” the event really is.
“One woman last year said it was harder than childbirth,” he remarked.
Not for the faint-hearted then…
Dutch man wearing mum's gown travels to Essex to get muddypublished at 12:19 British Summer Time 4 May
Matt Mackay
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race
Image source, Matt MackayImage caption, Dutch man Nick Spit is dressed in his mum's gown and ready to get muddy
The Maldon Mud Race isn't just for locals.
Nick Spit has travelled all the way from the Netherlands to take part in the race.
Wearing the dress his mother wore to his sister's wedding, Nick says he had to take part in this "crazy race".
"I saw some videos... and said I have to do this just once."
When I asked him about his strategy, he says he won't hold back: "I like a little bit of chaos."
Don't worry - Nick says his mum doesn't want the dress back.
A landlord, a dinner jacket and a pint - the origins of the racepublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 4 May
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Wading through mud in 1996
First held in 1973, the mud race has become a well-known event in the market town of Maldon.
It all started with a dare at the Queen's Head pub on Hythe Quay: The landlord had to serve a meal on the saltings - a muddy strip that only shows up at low tide - while sporting a dinner jacket.
There was so much excitement about the antics that the following year a bar was set up on the saltings. Twenty people waded over to it for a pint.
The event used to take place in December but after a grim winter in 2010 organisers decided enough was enough and moved it to spring.
Sunnier days, and a guest appearance by TV comic Jo Brand, gave the mud race a fresh lease of life and the spring date is now a firm fixture.
How does the race work?published at 11:58 British Summer Time 4 May
Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud RaceThe race takes place across a 440m (1,443ft) stretch of the River Chelmer in Essex.
Competitors will brave the bog by crossing the water, running along a stretch of the riverbank and then returning across the river.
Aside from an age limit of 16, the event is not bogged down by rules.
Getting muddy is strongly encouraged, however.
Image source, Getty ImagesIn pictures: Races of the not-too-distant pastpublished at 11:55 British Summer Time 4 May
Fifty-one years of the Maldon Mud Race means 51 years of gloriously mud-splattered photos.
Here are some of the best pictures that have stuck with us from recent years.
Image source, PAImage caption, Apocalyptic levels of mud at 2023's event
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Fancy a drink? A mud-caked bunny offers fancy beverages to runners in 2022
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mud, mud, glorious mud
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, A fire-breather pictured after crossing the finishing line in 2015
I'm nervous - but ultimately this will be a fun daypublished at 11:38 British Summer Time 4 May
Jodie Halford
Taking part in the Maldon Mud Race
Image source, Lewis Adams/BBCImage caption, I'm taking part in the race with my colleague Akylah (left)
We've just arrived and it's really busy, loads of people are here already.
I know it's going to be a fantastic day, but I'm terribly nervous because of a) the weather, which is much colder than I expected, and b) I've heard some really terrifying stories this morning.
People I spoke to described how hard they found previous years - some have done Tough Mudder races and say this is more difficult.
I'm now a little bit scared, but I know it's going to be a lot of fun and a fantastic day, and a story to share in the years to come.
Heat building up, but it's very cold herepublished at 11:32 British Summer Time 4 May
Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud Race
Image source, Lewis Adams/BBCThe crowd is slowly building here in Maldon, but in about two hours we’re expecting up to 20,000 people along the waterfront.
I’ve been told to expect a party atmosphere when things get going.
This is easily the town’s biggest event of the year.
What I wasn’t told when I agreed to work today was just how cold it would be.
The wind is whipping across the water and it’s pretty chilly right now.
It’s hard to envy those who’ll soon be wading through water and thick mud, but it should be great to watch!
BBC presenters get muddy - who will fare best?published at 11:30 British Summer Time 4 May
Lewis Adams
Reporting from the Maldon Mud RaceWe're hoping the race will begin at about 13:00, but that start time is totally at the mercy of the tide.
There shouldn't be too much of an early start or a delay if the water levels aren't favourable.
As well as following our live coverage here, you can also listen to live broadcasting from the event by BBC Essex.
The station's presenters Akylah Rodriguez and Jodie Halford are even braving the bog themselves.
There was excitement from Jodie in the office this week about the prospect, less so from Akylah.
The big question is – who will fare better?
It's almost time for a mud race. Get stuck in, literallypublished at 11:23 British Summer Time 4 May
Tinshui Yeung
Live editor, warm, dry and mud-free in London
Image source, PA MediaImage caption, A photo from the 2023 edition of the event
Welcome to our coverage of the Maldon Mud race. I'm sure you'll have some questions, so here's a brief look at what we're expecting today.
At 13:00 BST, hundreds of competitors from across the UK, and beyond, will attempt to slog their way across a boggy riverbed in Essex
The event first staged back in 1973 is in its 51st year. Last year, around 20,000 people turned up to see competitors absolutely caked in mud from head to toe.
The purpose of the event is to raise money for local charities, last year's fundraising totalled £40,000.
With mess expected to match the muckiness of previous years - all for a good cause - stick with us to see if competitors get (literally) stuck in the mud.