Dozens of competitors are boycotting the charity race because they believe it has been hijacked by "ringers". The renegade mascots are even considering picketing the event in protest.
They say it has moved too far away from its roots – as a contest between "professional" mascots who appear each week for football clubs – and has since been taken over by private companies, charities and other, minor, sports clubs looking to promote themselves.
They claim that many of the new competitors are not proper, full-time mascots but are often amateur sportsmen in little more than fancy dress who pose as mascots just for the day.
Many of them do not even bother to wear proper mascots' costume, opting instead for running shoes, lightweight tracksuits, and masks. Previous competitors have raced in outfits that are nothing more than football kits worn with tights and a mask.
This gives them a significant advantage over the "professional" mascots, who must lumber over the one furlong course – with six fences – in bulky foam suits, giant headgear and oversized feet.
The striking mascots – all from football league or established non-league clubs – even suspect that some of the "ringers" are placing bets on themselves to win.
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