GEORGE Town brothers Logan  Jones, 9, and Oliver, 7, and their friend Makkai Kettle, 5, of Launceston, had so much fun in their under-8 Mud Run race at Evandale yesterday that they went straight from the finish of their race back to the start to compete in the under-14 event.

‘‘Compete’’ is probably not the right word, as race director Rob Gillard explained. 

‘‘It’s about getting people out there having fun in a non-competitive environment,’’ he said.

And fun was just what the three friends were having, according to their mothers Cindy Jones and Kim Kettle.

‘‘They were absolutely excited — they loved it,’’ Mrs Kettle said.

‘‘They were really keen to have another go and really happy, when they got back after their 1000-metre run, that they were still able to go again.’’

Another youngster having the proverbial ball was Mowbray's Lochie Wells, 8, who said the mud run was great fun.

‘‘And it’s muddy’’, he volunteered.

Participants were not just allowed to get muddy, they were actively encouraged to do so, or, in the case of the children lining up for the under-14 run, ordered to.

Starter Mark Connelly said he would not start the race until everyone laid down on their stomachs in the starting line mud.

There were squeals of disapproval from some of the girls, but more than half the field did as they were bid without hesitation.

The single most noticeable thing about participants, except t for the caked-on mud, of course, was the broad smiles they carried with them over hill, down dale, across slime and through refreshing water hazards.

Mr Gillard estimated 1000 people participated with everyone enjoying the wonderful weather and  camaraderie.