After a winter of rain, Hampshire Scouts of all ages have been able to put the copious amounts of mud and water to good use with a fun day out.
Now in its fourth year, Hampshire Scouts' activity centre in the heart of the New Forest has been host to the biggest and muddiest Ferny Crofts Mud Run ever. From humble beginnings to blow away the winter blues, it's now become a staple in the Scouting calendar for local groups and volunteers alike.
Open to Scouts of all ages across three sessions on Saturday 16th March, it is the largest run ever put on by the centre as it grows to meet the exceptional demand from Scouts and volunteers.
Across three runs, 750 runners took to the 1.5 kilometre-long course taking in the New Forest woodland, adventure course, themed areas and the infamous Ferny Crofts Pond to reach the finish line raining with paint flecks of a variety of vibrant colours.
Alongside the full Ferny Crofts staff team, a further 66 volunteers helped make the event a huge success, helping with everything from assisting around the course to First Aid, car parking to throwing paint (330 kilograms of powder paint to be precise).
After one of the wettest winters on record, and off the back of the very successful but very muddy Ferny Fest event for Explorer Scouts three weeks before, the course has been the muddiest and wettest in the history of the event.
None of that has stopped the runners, from the youngest Squirrel upwards, from having a great event. Each runner got a medal, which this year also doubled as a blanket badge so runners could choose how to celebrate their success.
Ferny Crofts Centre Manager, James Redfern, said:
"It's great to see so many young people, adult volunteers and parents getting involved and having fun in the great outdoors and banishing the winter blues. Getting stuck in, down and dirty and bonding as family and friends over the course is always a delight to see and key for building resilience and determination.
My thanks go to the staff and many volunteers who make the event a great success and have made this year's event our biggest, wettest and muddiest to date.
James Redfearn, County Operations Manager and Ferny Crofts Centre Manager
You can find out about other events happening at Ferny Crofts on their website at fernycrofts.org.uk.
As well as hosting event, volunteers are use throughout the year to put on events and keep the site looking its very best. Find out about future opportunities by getting in touch or following them on social media: Facebook Instagram
