News
Spring News from the Rat Race
31 March 2009
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Hello Ratfans,
As we march towards the summer, the momentum is building here in Rat HQ for the spectacular urban adventures we have lined up for you this year. Read on to find out about our 2009 YOUTH events, some preview info on our new SHEFFIELD event, announcement of our 2009 charity partnership with CLIC SARGENT, another monthly competition and some info on our new SKYLINE ABSEIL initiative, towering over this summer’s Rat Race event villages nationwide.
1. Sheffield sharpens up
2. Monthly Competition
3. Rat Race prizes and points
4. Skyline Abseil
5. Clic Sargent – official 2009 Rat Race charity partner
6. Youth events
7. UK Adventure Sports Magazine
1. Sheffield sharpens up
Sheffield Rat Race will be unfolding for the first time this 1st/2nd August. If you fancy a truly industrial adventure with a real steely edge, this 
is the one for you. Our first outing in Yorkshire will also appeal to the climbers amongst you; Sheffield is forged on climbing (bad pun) and some of the UK’s top climbers reside there. Lucky for us then that they are Rat fans and that they have agreed to help us shape a climbing feel to the Sheffield Rat Race that will really take you to the top of the town. Don’t worry – you needn’t have masses of specialist skill. But you will need a head for heights! Everything is optional remember, so if climbing is not your bag, then enjoy seeing your team-mates reach for the skies!
2. Monthly Competition
This month, we have 3 superb Polar Buffs up for grabs. Simply tell us how many kilometres of rope you reckon we have used in our Rat Races from 2004 – 2009. Nearest km wins a Polar Buff from the Rat Race Store, newly opened at www.ratraceadventure.com/store. Email info@ratraceadventure.com with your answers and please put “competition” in the headline. Tip: It’s more than you think!
3. Rat Race prizes and points
OK – now for more goodies up for grabs – this time the prizes you will be racing for in this year’s Series. Previous stashes have included £1000s of outdoor gear, holidays to the Caribbean and even a trip to take part in a 
Rat Race on the other side of the world. Well this year we are not going to disappoint and we have opened up the prize structure to reward Rat Fans at all levels of abilities, not just the super lean racing Rats.
With great podium prizes and 100s of spot prizes up for grabs from the Rat Race store, you could win just by turning up. But for the winner of our “Spirit of the Rat Race” prize, awarded to the team we feel 
over the season has shown exceptional fortitude, derring-do extraordinaire or any other superlative attributes, you will be on your way to Chamonix in the French Alps to spend a week in the snow (or fresh, clean summer mountain air – your choice) to stay with our friends at Adventure Base on a £2500 holiday for 6 people in their central Chamonix “Iceman” chalet. Check out www.adventurebase.com to check in with your hosts.
We will also be offering an absolutely fantastic prize to the team who we see the most this season (i.e. the team who attends the most events). If you are a real regular Rat Fan, you will be on your way to the Southern Hemisphere to take part in one of our brand new antipodean Rat Races in March 2010. We’ll keep you guessing where this is, but think hot, hot, hot!
4. Skyline Abseil
For those of you who have supporters keen to come and cheer you along, we are pleased to unveil our latest offering for our brilliant Rat Race event villages. Towering 100 feet over the city skyline in each Rat Race location will be our mobile Skyline abseil crane. For £35, including T shirt and certificate, you and your clan can ascend the mighty Skyline, smile for the camera before abseiling back down 100 feet vertically to Terra Firma. The abseil is offered as a stand alone event but even if you are participating in the Rat Race, then it’s open to you too, operating on both Saturday and Sunday (9am – 5pm) of Rat Race weekend. Check out the full low-down at www.skylineabseil.com
5. Clic Sargent – official 2009 Rat Race charity partner
We are delighted to welcome CLIC Sargent as official charity partner of the Rat Race for 2009. Sign-up to take part with CLIC Sargent and combine the thrills and spills of the race with helping children with cancer. CLIC Sargent helps children and young people with cancer and their families with the trauma of diagnosis, together with the often long journey through treatment. The charity also continues to support them afterwards. Learn more about racing for CLIC Sargent and our special charity race packages here
6. Youth events
We are pleased to announce that our partnership with legendary adventurers The Outward Bound Trust is continuing into 2009 with two brand spanking new youth events open for 14 – 18 year olds. Edinburgh and London are the venues for these inspiring events full of youthful vigour on 18/19 July and 26/27 September respectively. Choose to race in Mean Street, Nine 2 Five or Weekender. All the info is at www.ratraceadventure.com/youth. If you are a big (grown up) kid or simply a big Outward Bound fan, or maybe you have experienced one of their superb outdoor courses in the past, you can raise funds for them by racing in their name as they are an affiliated Rat Race charity. Please email laura.watson@outwardbound.org.uk for more details.
7. UK Adventure Sports Magazine
Those of you with a real taste for adventure can check out the new mag from UK Adventure Sports. The first issue is on sale right now and if you are keen to get your hands on a copy, then the UK Adventure Sports guys will be on hand at all the events this summer with the mag on sale. Check out www.adventuresportsmag.co.uk for a preview.
Rat’s all for now!
The Rat Race crew
