BRUISED, bloodied and soaked is not the way most people would choose to end up after a Sunday morning run.
But that was exactly what 1,500 people got after they took part in the fifth Mad Monk event.
The extreme race saw competitors swimming in freezing waters, climbing giant cargo nets and crawling through mud over a course around Darley Park yesterday.
People came from all over the UK to take part in the event, which could be either run as a 5km or 10km race.
Among those from Derby to cross the line was Kristian Roebuck.
The 31-year-old was cheered on by wife Rachel and children Zavier, three, and Harper, who is seven months old.
Kristian said: "It's my first time at this run. I normally just play badminton, so this was something a bit different for me to do on a Sunday morning."
Others who crossed the line were teammates Jason Fardo, 42, Ryan Piller, 19, Neil Garner, 34, Richard Owen, 45, and Leigh Tate, 31, who were all from the Burton area.
Leigh said: "It's the water that really gets you."Your breathing can be fine before you get in there but, as soon as you hit the water, your muscles start going and it's really hard.
"It takes a mile easily before you get back into it properly. It's hard work but really good."
Fitness fanatic Oliver Astley, the Derby Telegraph's business correspondent, was also among the competitors.
He said: "It was a great race and I must say a big thank-you to the organisers and Watersafe UK, who made sure that everyone was safe."
