Because They Can?

I struggled for a title to this snippet of news, but in the end, I figured there's probably no rational explanation for what these, ahem, athletes, do.

Some 200 competitors in Santa, Cowboy and Clown suits crawled their way across the muddy River Blackwater in the UK, while temperatures were below freezing. 10,000 people turned up to watch.

According to the Telegraph, the race originated when regulars of a nearby pub placed a barrel of beer on the far side of the river. Patrons would run (or crawl, or stumble) through the sludge, drink the beer, then make their way back over for a shower. These days, they don't get the beer, and they do it anyway - and the only prize is a shower!?

It's not all crazy though. These days it raises money for charity.

Photo: Martin Pope

~ Elisa