FIVE plucky employees of Shoebury company evolve waded through mud-filled trenches and pipes in a gruelling test of stamina and agility to raise money for the Macmillan Cancer Support Charity.

Duane Lansdale, 31, from Shoebury, Lenka Ivanisinova, 26, from Southend and Tracy Duffield, 37, from Great Wakering, completed five laps of the exhausting 5k obstacle course, littered with obstacles, in just two hours.

They took part in the Nuclear Blackout Race, in Brentwood, and tackled obstacles ranging from tyre pits to cargo crawls, trenches and pipes and for the first time, the 30-metre deep Kelvedon Hatch Secret Bunker, all in the dark.

Duane was home first in time of one hour 20 minutes, quickly followed by Lenka and Tracy 13 minutes later.

Dean Newman, 35, from Chelmsford was next at one hour 50 minutes with Greg Jones, 27, from Benfleet finishing in two hours nine minutes.

Tracy said “ I took part in the race last year. It really is a physically challenging race, but coming back and doing the race in the dark was new for us. Not being able to see well, you simply don’t knowwhat to expect. It had rained overnight which made it even more challenging as the mud was thick everywhere.

“The race is daunting at first, but your adrenaline soon kicks in and despite the bruises and aches is actually good fun.

You get a real sense of achievement once you finish. It was great to come back again this year and be involved with the team to raise money for a fantastic charity.”

This is the second year evolve staff have taken part in the challenging race. The team is hoping to raise at least £500 for the charity. To help visit www.just giving,com/evolve-donuclear