Christmas has come and gone and with a new year comes New Year’s Resolutions. If you’re thinking about challenging yourself in 2023, or perhaps you want a reason to get out of the house despite the gloomy weather, escape your comfort zone and take on Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge, an outdoor obstacle course you can tackle with your dog by your side while raising money for Battersea.
Now in its eighth year, Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge is taking place in six locations across the country from April to October. Why not join in the fun and duck, dive and weave through the dizzy dangles in Leeds, Derby and Stansted, or scramble over the log jumps in Tunbridge Wells, New Forest and Windsor.
Participants can choose from a distance of 2.5km and 5km – both courses are equally fun (and muddy). Pet lovers will be faced with a variety of wacky obstacles to jump under, over or through, including wading through the mud in the Canine Crawl, weaving through the Mutt Mazes, and not to forget the opportunity to unleash your inner child crawling through the Ball Pit Tunnels.
People of all ages and abilities are welcome to take part – they can run or walk the course with or without a dog, bring the whole family along, join up with your friends and their canine companions as part of a team, or take on the challenge solo. The best part? Participants can train as much or as little as they’d like, it’s all about having fun!
Each participant is encouraged to raise a target of £100 for Battersea so the charity can continue to be there for dogs and cats everywhere. For ideas and inspiration, the Battersea website has plenty of fundraising tips.
Once registered, participants will receive their very own Muddy Dog Challenge t-shirt and dog bandana to take part in on the day, as well as a well-earned medal and rosette for making it across the finish line.
Jasmine Monk, Senior Challenge Events Officer at Battersea, said: “We are so excited to be back again for Battersea’s Muddy Dog Challenge 2023 and we can’t wait to see animal lovers across the UK to get muddy and tackle our obstacle course with their canine companions by their side.
“Battersea continues to go above and beyond for every dog and cat – caring for animals in our centres and supporting other rescue and rehoming organisations across the UK and beyond to help more animals. Every penny raised by our wonderful supporters will help us continue our mission to be here for dogs and cats everywhere.
“Registrations are now open and we are currently running an early bird offer for £10 off adult tickets so please sign up as soon as possible, as the offer won’t be around for long. We look forward to seeing everyone having fun in the mud again!”
If taking part isn’t your thing, Battersea is always looking for volunteers for the event and would welcome any support you can offer.
For more details and to register for the Muddy Dog Challenge as a participant or volunteer, please visit https://muddydog.battersea.org.uk/
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For further information, images or interviews please contact press@battersea.org.uk
Notes to editors:
- The Muddy Dog Challenge events will take place across the UK in 2023 in the following locations:
- Breamore House, New Forest – 22 April
- Locko Park, Derby – 13 May
- Elms Farm, Stansted – 10 June
- Eridge Park, Tunbridge Wells – 9 September
- Windsor Great Park, Windsor – 16-17 September
- Harewood House, Leeds – 14 October - At Battersea we offer our love and expert care to dogs and cats who need us by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals at our centres, and by sharing our knowledge and resources with rescue organisations around the world. We do this because we want to help every dog and cat, everywhere.
- In 2021 Battersea directly cared for 1,601 dogs and 1,743 cats at our three centres. We also helped thousands more through our Communities programme, campaigning work, supporting other rescue centres and animal welfare advocates, and sharing knowledge and advice with pet owners.
- We’re reliant on the generosity of the public to continue to fund our vital work helping dogs and cats and the people who care for them. To donate to Battersea, visit: https://donate.battersea.org.uk
- In addition to the site in South West London, Battersea also has two other centres based at Old Windsor, Berkshire and Brands Hatch, Kent.
- To find out more visit our website or follow Battersea on Twitter @battersea_ , Instagram @battersea or facebook.com/Battersea