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A Summer of Rat Racing Ahead

Rob Howard / 10.06.2008

Summer Rat Racing gets underway in Bristol this coming weekend, and for the top teams hoping for a series win there is a big incentive – the prize of a trip to a Rat Race on the other side of the world in November!

Chief Rat planner Gary Tompsett has been on an “errand” to the other side of the world and though the new host cities for international Rat Racing cant’ be announced quite yet the word is that the first ‘antipodean’ Rat Race will be held on the 22nd and 23rd November and that (might) be very hot. So, best keep those dates free if you have ambitions to win the series!

Of course, everyone is a winner at a Rat Race as they get such great goody bags and have more fun in one weekend than should be allowed, and Bristol Race Director Pete James has let a few hints slip about what’s in store. Here’s what he had to say;

“Bristol has an Olympic theme for 2008. Expect to get wet (pack your swimming costume and maybe your goggles). Expect a cycling challenge or two - the GB team have a strong record at the Olympics. Orienteering is an Olympic sport. Climbing may not be but that won\'t stop us posing some interesting ropes challenges (that may also get you wet) on both days. Sailing is another Olympic sport in which GB is successful and on which we have put an interesting twist for you. We feel that the artistic side of adventure racing is neglected, so you may find that chance you\'ve been looking for to express yourself. And then there\'s the Olympic Torch...”

We’ll have all the news and photos here on SleepMonsters straight after the race, but Bristol is just the start of a summer of Rat Racing. There are new 9 to 5 Rat Races in Brighton (June 28th) and Newcastle (Aug 30th), and across the Irish Sea in Belfast (Aug 9th) and Galway (Sept 6th), and of course the other two original 2-day events in Edinburgh and London.

The Edinburgh race is now in its 5th year! Yet the birthplace of Rat Racing still offers up new challenges and locations and Race Director John Laughlin has been seeking them out and preparing a ‘rugged’ course for your enjoyment on July 19/20th. Last and biggest of all comes London on Sept. 27/28th, when adventure racing hits the streets and waterways, buildings and institutions of the capital city and one lucky team will win that trip a Rat Race on the other side of the world.

For all the info on Rat Racing visit www.ratraceadventure.com.