Attingham Park might be one of Shropshire's grandest country estates, but runners taking on Mad Jack's 5 should expect to leave it considerably less elegant than they arrived.

The Shrewsbury AC race returns on Saturday 7 November for its 18th edition, staged jointly with the National Trust across the grounds of Attingham Park near Shrewsbury.

Around five miles of off road running takes competitors across pasture where cattle, sheep and deer can be encountered, before heading through woodland containing roots and fallen trees. November weather can also turn the marshier sections into a suitably muddy challenge.

Then comes the feature that has become synonymous with Mad Jack's.

Just before the finish, runners enter The Pond and wade or run through still water that can reach around a metre deep. Cold, muddy and impossible to ignore, it provides a memorable final obstacle before the finish.

The surroundings offer quite a contrast. National Trust Attingham Park encompasses historic parkland, woodland and a deer park surrounding the 18th century Attingham Hall. The landscape was shaped by Humphry Repton, while the estate today is also designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The race starts at 10:30am and has a 500 runner limit, with off road shoes offering good grip strongly recommended.

Attingham might provide the stately surroundings. Mad Jack's Pond ensures nobody takes them too seriously.

Enter now via the runABC race hub.

Image courtesy Attingham Park NT on Facebook.