Join the Rat Race

The UK's ultimate sports challenge?

The Rat Race 2009 is finally here, spreading itself between six UK cities where competitors navigate their way along a route undisclosed until a few hours before the start.

It's billed as one of the world's ulitmate sporting challenges, designed to fire up and inspire thrill seekers everywhere. Spaced over a two-day weekend, events comprise running, biking, abseiling, climbing and kayaking.

Saturday’s “Mean Streets” is a running event, designed to challenge competitors mentally and physically as they discover clues hidden anywhere from remote areas to famous landmarks. Sunday will push contenders to the extreme through abseiling, climbing and kayaking, with mountain bikes being used to travel between trials. Competitors will face a variety of challenges involving on-road and off-road terrain.

The MD of event organisers, Jim Mee tells WideWorld, “The Rat Race is all about doing the unfamiliar in a familiar environment.  The cities that we’ve chosen all have an abundance of great places and green spaces. People will have the chance to go to places that they’ve never been to before, even if they live there!”

At the end of the event, there will be live music and dancing for anyone who still has energy left. Entry is £35 for Saturday, £69 for Sunday or £99 if you think you can handle the challenge of both. Teams should be made up of three people.

Past Rat Race events have seen people abseiling off Twickenham Rugby Stadium and flying off skyscrapers using zip wires.

For more information, visit: www.ratraceadventure.com