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Urban Adventure Racing Hits the Streets of Edinburgh.

Rob / 10.11.2003

An exciting new adventure racing concept is coming to town next summer in the form of the “Rat Race” Edinburgh urban adventure. As well as being part of the British AR Championships for next year the event heralds the arrival of urban AR on the British racing scene.

Encompassing core disciplines of cycling, running, canoeing, rope travel and some special urban challenges competitors will cover a fascinating course within the city of Edinburgh and its dramatic environs over an 8 hour period. Not your normal 9 ‘til 5! And just to get the competitive juices flowing there will also be the ‘Mean Streets’ prologue on the preceeding night!

Race Organiser Jim Mee: “This event breaks into a totally new and exciting arena of UK AR. The organising team have plenty up their sleeves in order to entice and excite competitors. Edinburgh’s awesome cityscape will open the place up in an entirely new light to the racers as they travel through, over, round and under the ancient streets using all manner of transport...”

Together with Mee, who project managed the UK’s first winter adventure race, Red Bull Northern Exposure, the organising team includes Gary Tompsett, legendary course designer of the Adrenalin Rush, Northern Exposure and the Hebridean Challenge.

Tompsett: “Imagine Edinburgh as a giant playground - The Capital of Scotland explored and embraced for sport, like no other sport ever created in a City. As well as the incredible built architecture, it has hills, cliffs, canals, sea and sand, and we are going to use them all to create the funkiest weekend you ever had.”

Mee: “As a totally new concept event and with an eye for detail that will leave you guessing up to the last minute you will be truly amazed when we spin the classic open top city bus tour on its head and present you with Edinburgh as you’ve never seen it before. And don’t forget the party. We’ve got form in that department too.”

The Rat Race Urban Adventure will take place over the weekend of 17/18th July next year. More details will follow, but for now, put the date in your diary.