The Race for Life logo.
Group of women covered in mud at the bottom of the final muddy obstacle all laughing.

Preston Pretty Muddy 5k

Saturday 06 Jun 2026

Adults

£22.49

Children

£12.00

Minimum fundraising target

£50.00

Date

Saturday 06 Jun 2026

Time

From: 13:30

Venue

Avenham and Miller Park

Spring Sale ends Sunday!

Use code SPRING26 to get 50% off entry on 2026 events

Offer ends 19 April 2026. T&Cs apply*

Choose your start time

Life is worth Racing for. Enter Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life and raise money for life-saving cancer research.

About Pretty Muddy

Get ready for an unforgettable day out as you climb, crawl and slide your way around the Pretty Muddy® 5k obstacle course! Sign up as a group with friends and family, or go solo and join hundreds of people on the day. There's no pressure to finish in a certain time, so take it your own pace, get muddy and enjoy the atmosphere. However you take part, you're helping to beat cancer.

Location

Venue

Avenham and Miller Park, South Meadow Lane, Preston, PR1 8JP

View map

Course information

The 2026 Preston course showcases the city’s stunning parks and riverside views. Starting and finishing in Avenham Park, runners journey through Frenchwood Recreational Ground and Miller Park on a mix of surfaced paths and grass. Gentle undulations add challenge, while the River Ribble provides a scenic backdrop. 

The course route is a single lap, offering variety, atmosphere, and a memorable running experience.

Click here to see the Course Map. Please note, this is subject to change.

Three people wearing Race for Life t-shirts walk in front of a muddy obstacle course.

Event details

Once you sign up for your Pretty Muddy® event, you'll receive an email with all the need-to-know details to help you feel fully prepared for the day.

Meeting point

The meeting point is located in Avenham Park, in front of the Pavilion Cafe. Both the start and finish will be located in this area of the park.

If using what3words, enter ///branded.mime.claim in the free app, to find the exact location of the event site.

Travel information

By car:
General Event Parking:
There is no designated car parking for this event due to it's new central location. There are many public pay and display car parks that participants can use such as Fishergate Car park, Preston Railway Station Car Park and Avenham Car Park to name a view. All within 10 minute walk to the event site.

Drop Offs: Participants can be safley dropped off in Fishergate Car Park with a short walk to the event site, alternativley streets surrounding the event such as Ribblesdale Place but please do so in a safe manner, being mindful of traffic and local residents.

Blue Badge Parking: There is blue badge parking spaces availible in all the major car parks mentioned above.

Volunteer Parking: We do not have specific volunteer parking for this event, we ask all volunteers to please use a suitable local car park as mentioned above, residencial free parking or use public transport/walk to the event site where you are able.

Electric Charging Points: The closest charging point is in Avenham Car Park, Syke St, Preston,  PR1 3BN (two double EV charging points available).

Public transport and pedestrians:
Pedestrians:
There are many enterances to Avenham and Miller Park, the main enterance for pedestrians on foot is via Ribblesdale Place, taking you straight into Avenham park looking out onto the event site.

Bus: Avenham and Miller Park is a short walk away from major bus stops stopping at Preston Railway Station on Fishergate. Pleaese refer to the Preston Bus website for more information on local bus routes.

Train: Preston Trail Station is located in the centre of Preston and only a short walk from the event site within Avenham and Miller Park.

Cycling & Bike Racks: Limited bike racks availible at the Pavillion Cafe, however plenty of cycle parking availible at Preston Train Station.

Facilities

Available

Refreshments

Toilets

Parking

Not available or suitable

Dogs not allowed

Bag drop

Showers

Not suitable for pushchairs

Not wheelchair accessible

Accessibility

Due to the nature of the event, this event is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Wheelchair users will be able to access the event site and Pavillion Café to spectate for this event.

We aim for maximum accessibility at our events. Our contact centre and on-site team are ready to assist with any needs or questions you may have.

Sunflower wristbands are available at the enquiries marquee, and our Event Managers are trained Dementia Friends.

A QR code will be available on the main event site to access British Sign Language stage content for those who use BSL.
 

How Pretty Muddy® works

Pretty Muddy® events start times are staggered in 'waves', each wave starts every 15 minutes to ensure you're safe on the course. If you're signed up as a group, please make sure you sign up for the same wave time.

Climb, crawl and slide your way around the course at your own pace. We want you to tackle every obstacle the best you can, but if you need to skip to the next one our marshals will be on hand to assist. Find out more about Pretty Muddy® obstacles.

To be part of the action, you must be 13 years of age or older at the time of your event. We've got something special for our young participants too - check out our Pretty Muddy® Kids events for kids aged 12 and under!

If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please seek your doctor's advice before registering.

What you'll receive

When you sign up to Race for Life, we'll support you every step of the way. You'll receive:

  • A fundraising pack with tips to help you reach your target

  • A customisable back sign

  • Training plans and support to help you prepare

  • Access to our Facebook community to help you get motivated

  • A Race for Life medal when you cross the finish line!

A lady writing the name of her loved one on her Race for Life back sign.

Prepare for your event

Get fundraising and training support, tips and resources to help you hit your target and prepare for your event.

How your support saves lives

Over the past 50 years, our work has helped double cancer survival in the UK.

Thanks to support from people like you, we've funded pioneering research to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. But our work isn't done yet. We want to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.

The money you raise goes towards our research into more than 200 types of cancer. With you at the start line, just imagine how far we can go.

Learn where your money goes

Natasha

Natasha having fun in a Pretty Muddy race. She is laughing in a pool of muddy water at the bottom of a pink slide.

I raised £450, really enjoyed the experience.

- Natasha, Pretty Muddy® Reading

Choose your start time

Your entry fee covers the cost of your event, but your fundraising helps us save and improve lives. Join the celebration, join the family, and join the thousands helping to raise the money we need to power Cancer Research UK’s biggest discoveries.

More ways to get involved

Two women, a man and a young girl in Race for Life branded t-shirts are laughing and running in a park.

Visit the Race for Life shop

Get set for your Race for Life event with t-shirts, hats and accessories for everyone.

A Race For Life volunteer wearing a hi vis jacket and helping someone at the event.

Volunteer with us

Join the incredible team of volunteers who make our Race for Life events possible.

Four adults going down a Pretty Muddy slide, smiling and laughing.

Find another Race for Life event

Explore our other Race for Life events taking place across the country. Choose from a 3k, 5k, 10k, Pretty Muddy® 5k or Pretty Muddy® Kids.

50% off entry

*Enter the code SPRING26 on the registration page to get 50% off your entry fee. Visit our Sales and Discount page for full terms and conditions that apply.