Hundreds of competitors in the annual Maldon Mud Race donned brightly coloured fancy-dress before ploughing through knee-deep mud on May 12.

Some competitors wore nothing but a layer of the thick black mud by the end of the race.

This strange race takes place in the mud of the River Blackwater in Essex, Southeast England, and raises tens of thousands of pounds for various charities every year.

Spectators saw a variety of costumed competitors ranging from clowns, fairies equipped with magic wands, ballerinas and all. Some wore Superman t-shirts, perhaps hoping it would help them fly over the quagmire and some wore nothing at all.

As the countdown begins everyone is in high spirits. It's maybe seconds into the race before most of the colourful costumes are totally covered in mud. The competitors, very quickly, move from and upright running position to a slow crawl, inching their way through the boggy mess.

Footage shows hundreds gathered at the edge of the river with big smiles and pristine costumes. At the end of the countdown one eager competitor tries to dash off through the mud but falls prey to the soggy ground underfoot.

There is a hilarious clip of a fairy Godmother covered head to toe in mud trying to stand up. She finally makes it upright before immediately falling headfirst into the muddy-marsh with a good 'splat' sound accompanying.

A girl in a pristine ballerina costume half-covered in mud crawling through the riverbed. This hopeful competitor looks like she's trying for the 'cleanest finish' prize, although she's sodden from the waist down!

The filmer captures one man barely holding onto a GoPro camera as he slides along the mud covered from head to toe in the dark brown substance. When this competitor stands up it is clear that he is wearing nothing but a suit of mud. Thankfully he has the presence of mind to cover certain dirty bits.

The footage also shows spectators sitting high-and-dry above the contestants watching with glee as this very dirty sport unfolds beneath them.

The competitors are physically taxed towards the end of the race but somehow revelling in filth brings out a sense of humour in most of the competitors.

Bizarre footage of hundreds of competitors, many wearing fancy dress - and some naked - running, and crawling across the thick black mud of the River Blackwater in Essex during the annual Maldon Mud Race today.