Rat Race Hits London!

The Rat Race is, rather appropriately, due to hit London on the weekend of 27-28 September 2008, with over 1000 competitors taking to the capital's streets in what's believed to be the world's largest adventure race.


The Rat Race series of eight urban adventure races takes competitors onto city streets where they compete  across a range of disciplines. The London event will include running, climbing, abseiling, parkour, kayaking and mountain biking and take them through now fewer than 14 London boroughs.

The obstacles, rather improbably, include a six-metre high washing machine which forms the ‘Over the Moon’ challenge courtesy of Indesit. Apparently members of the public are also being encouraged to tackle the over-sized domestic appliance...

The races are taking place over two days with an introductory, novice-friendly, 'Mean Streets' prologue scheduled for Saturday 27 September and the main 'Adventure Class' race on Sunday with teams of three battling it out over a 50-km urban course including buildings, shops, offices and rivers along with surprise challenges, checkpoints and clues.

Rat Race Youth Event Launches

Also taking place this year, is the first ever Rat Race youth event for 14 to 18-year-olds which is being organised in partnership with The Outward Bound Trust. The youth event will feature the main elements of the main course, but with some shortened sections.

Event Village

The event will start and finish in the shadow of mighty Tower Bridge and an event village will be built for supporters and members of the public featuring adventure activities, live music, action sports demonstrations and refreshment stalls.

You can find full details of the event along with online entry and training tips at www.ratraceadventure.com or telephone the Rat Race office on 0845 0094365.