Mud, sweat, and cheers: Zaidee’s Mad Cow Mud Run returns

By Taylah Baker

Feb 6, 2024

**Clean sweep?:** Max Stockdale and James Priest with their medals at the end of Zaidee’s Mad Cow Mud Run in 2023. Photo by Megan Fisher

A spectacle of mud, water and fun will take over KidsTown on Saturday, February 24, for the return of Zaidee’s Mad Cow Mud Run.

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Participants from far and wide will touch down in Shepparton for what Allan Turner, Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation managing director, described as “Australia’s largest obstacle course for all ages”.

“The mud run is one of Shepparton’s largest events,” he said.

“It’s a day for everyone to come out and get dirty, muddy, smelly, and have a great time doing it.”

For children aged three and up, there’s a junior 3km course, while those aged 13 to adulthood can take on “the whole heifer” 6km course.

Last year’s event attracted 650 participants and 2000 spectators from all over the state, and this year, another huge turnout is expected.

“We’ve capped (the mud run) at 750, so hopefully, we’ll get at least 750 people supporting the day,” Mr Turner said.

“There’s no bracket – it’s not a race to get from start to end, it’s a day that everybody can test their skills.

“You don’t have to be super fit to get around the course and enjoy the day – you can run, walk, do it together as a team with family and friends in your own time, and have fun.”

While being dragged through the mud with excitement and fervour may be the big attraction, the major takeaway for all is the conversation the event ignites about organ and tissue donation.

The mud run is held annually to honour Mr Turner’s seven-year-old daughter, Zaidee Turner, who died from a cerebral aneurysm in 2004.

Zaidee became an organ and tissue donor, saving and improving the lives of others, and shortly after, Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation was formed in her honour.

However, despite nearly two decades of notable work, Mr Turner said organ and tissue donation in Australia is not increasing in numbers.

He is hopeful this year’s mud run and future events will rekindle the conversation.

“Anything we can do to reinspire others... and (the mud run) is a great way to raise funds, awareness and education around organ and tissue donation,” Mr Turner said.

“We want to reiterate to the next generation and those who’ve moved to Shepparton in recent times that there was a local Shepparton girl called Zaidee who changed the landscape and education of what organ and tissue donation is.”

Zaidee’s Mad Cow Mud Run is on Saturday, February 24, from 8am at KidsTown, 7287 Midland Hwy, Mooroopna.

For more information and to register, visit https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-zaidee-s-mad-cow-mud-run-saturday-24th-february-2024