The Rat is Back in Bristol
Rob Howard / 06.06.2006
Last year’s first Bristol race had some unforgettable moments including perplexing cave navigation, crane abseiling and ‘drill’ at a naval base gym. (The sight of ramrod straight racers being told they were ‘a bunch of fairies’ and bawled out by the instructor is not easily forgotten!)
So, it’s not surprising the race, which is now under the new sponsorship of Columbia, already has a bumper entry. Over 150 teams are expected at the venue on Bristol docks, using the same superb city venue as last year. It’s a setting that combines the cities historic past and it’s modern and dynamic regeneration … and the race will do the same.
With another year in which to seek out quiet corners and exceptional places even the locals are unaware of, course planner Pete James is sure to come up with some surprises. And he is spoilt for choice in a city that boasts the Avon Gorge, extensive parks and gardens, urban waterways and cycle tracks and some fantastic architecture.
Many of the UK’s top racers live in or near the city, so it will be a competitive race to start the series. There is series prize this year too and classes for the top mixed, all girls and all guys teams at each race.
The race will have a similar format to previous years, with a Saturday night ‘Mean Streets’ 3 hour prologue based on street orienteering (always interesting when the pubs and clubs are busy), and then the main event on Sunday, which is an 80km course with lots of ‘Rat Trap’ challenges to test teams out.
As always with the Rat Race there is an exceptional goodie bag for all who enter, including the new design Rat Race Buff, and race partners Ellis Brigham will be on site to supply any last minute gear needs.
If you’ve not entered yet all the details are on the new look Rat Race website – scamper over there now and get your entry in.
SleepMonsters
