Race report: This weekend Rat Race Adventure Sports, in partnership with the charity Shelter, hosted London’s only aquatic obstacle event, the ‘River Rat Race’
The 10km water course saw 1,500 participants take on a series of wet and wild challenges including the ‘zorb pool’, water trampolines, a 50 foot water slide and a massive 20 foot jump off the dock, as they made their way around the course in Docklands, East London. For each ticket sold, at least £10 was given to the charity Shelter to help people across the country struggling to keep a roof over their heads, with further funds raised for the charity via participant sponsorship.
The race started inside The ExCel London where participants faced a quick-fire barrage of obstacles before they headed out on to the dockside. From there, they ran west towards the Emirates Air Line, tackling more obstacles as they went before entering the Royal Victoria Dock via a water jump. This was followed by a short swim and then an energy sapping, thigh deep wade on to an urban beach.
Once back on dry land they headed east with a mixture of jumping, swimming and wading before tackling the kayak section and finally the centerpiece obstacle of the event - a towering jump, plummeting them 20 feet into the water below.
Jim Mee, Rat Race Adventure Sports MD and creator of The River Rat Race, said of the event: “We were delighted to be able to bring The River Rat Race back to the capital this year after our fantastic debut in London last summer.
“Docklands, once again, provided the perfect location for our wet and wild challenge, and as always it was great to see participants having a fantastic time whilst also raising much needed funds for a charity that helps so many affected by homelessness and poor housing in London.”
“It has been extremely rewarding teaming up with Shelter for the event and we are pleased that contributions from the ticket sales have helped to raise money for such a worthwhile cause”.
As growing numbers of people struggle with soaring housing costs, Shelter has seen a rise in demand for help from people fighting to keep a roof over their heads. The event is on track to raise £40,000 to fund the charity’s ongoing work helping those who face bad housing and homelessness.
Campbell Robb, Shelter’s chief executive said: “It’s fantastic to see River Rat Race back, bigger than ever and raising even more vital funds for Shelter.”
“All of the money raised by the incredible runners will allow us to be there for even more families fighting to keep their home. Our advisors can make the difference between a family losing their home and keeping it – so we’re extremely thankful to everyone who’s taken part.”
The River Rat Race is produced by leading adventure sports company Rat Race who organise the largest selection of adventure races in the UK, with 14 events in 2015 and catering to some 70,000 participants annually
For those still looking for a challenge this year, there is still time to enter Rat Race’s Men’s Health Survival of the Fittest series which will be hitting Wembley in London on the 21st November.
To enter online please visit www.ratrace.com and for more information on Shelter please visit www.shelter.org.uk
