Rat Race: Plague of Rats Set to Hit Capital

THE organisers proudly proclaim that it’s the ‘world’s funkiest race’, but what the good people of Edinburgh think about it is anybody’s guess.

The Rat Race Adventure is coming to the capital, on the weekend of July 16 and 17, for the second successive year and those strange rat racers are frothing at the mouth. They can’t wait.

Meanwhile, Auld Reekie had better brace itself for teams of men and women doing the daftest things in the name of sport.

Should you doubt the craziness of the shenanigans that are about to hit town, then take a load of this.

Some teams will negotiate their way under ground, while others will try very hard to fracture their bones mountain biking down steps. There is also urban coastering.

But all that is child’s stuff compared to Free Running, which is also on the agenda.

This so-called ‘sport’ was born in France and, in rough terms, it’s all about folk who are maybe tired of living, leaping from one point to another, high up and without a safety harness.

Others will be testing their aquatic skills in kayaks on the Forth Estuary, but the one that really gets me is that a few competitors will go in for a ‘sport’ of hugging the city’s famous monuments.

It seemed pertinent to ask Paddy Cuthbert, whose company Podge Publicity handles the advertising and media side of the event, what hugging monuments entails.

However, I can’t enlighten you for he left me in the dark when he said: ‘Ah, I can’t tell you. You see, hugging monuments is a secret, it’s a teaser.’

Cheers Paddy mate, glad I asked. But probably the best way to describe this whole Rat Race malarkey is to say it’s for the sort of person who likes to put a funny hat or a red nose on their sport.

Whatever turns you on and good luck to them and the outdoor sports brand, North Face, must think it’s a big earner since they’re the main sponsors. Prizes range from an overseas trip to pounds 3000 worth of equipment.

Event creator Jim Mee said: ‘We’re overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of our Scottish partners for this event which will be even bigger than last year.

‘It’s important to realise that anyone over 18 can apply and each race is structured so that competitors can enter at rookie, adventure or elite levels, depending on their ability and experience.

‘Overall, it’s an amazing event which is challenging without being intimidating.’

From where I’m standing it’s certainly challenging but it’s difficult to imagine it not being intimidating. But what do I know!

Anyhow, since some of the cash generated will go to CancerBACUP, let’s not knock it.

However, what tickled me was part of the publicity blurb which said: ‘Athletes will be asked to carry out surreal activities in dark alleys, dark tunnels and parks right across Edinburgh’.

Non-athletes have probably been doing this in Edinburgh’s dark places since time immemorial but no doubt the same could be said of any city.

Anyways up, If you wish to take part, visit the website on www.ratraceadventure.com