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Belfast Rat Race - Final Details
Less than a week to go to another adventure packed weekend in the buzzing city of Belfast! All plans are in place and our planner has discovered some great new activities for 2009. So if you thought last year was fun, you are in for surprise! Make sure to check all timings and details below, we went to make sure we have all our eager Rats at the start line on time. |
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Less than a week to go are you ready?
Stewart Caithness is yet again the man with the plan for this year’s Belfast Rat Race, the course details remain a closely guarded secret. For those of you who are returning to the scene for the 2nd year, some may be familiar but it is not always as it seems. There will be the usual blend of ropes, boats, wet and wild experiences all linked together with biking & running. For the Nine2Five and Weekenders of you there will be some off-road sections so make sure you have tires with grip. We'll also be sending you down some 'tunnels' so hope you’re not claustrophobic! As we are in the depths of summer, it is always important to remember to stay hydrated. Rat Racers need to be self sufficient on the course so bring some pocket money if fuel and liquid is needed on the way. Bring at least £1 each, as you'll need it for a checkpoint along the way also.
With a broader choice of entry formats than ever before, the 2009 season continues with the usual host of Weekender teams joined by a mass of Saturday Mean Streets and Sunday Nine2Five one-day campaigners. Saturday's Mean Streets remains our most accessible entry format. An hour of frantic planning leads to two and a half hours of on-foot mayhem as we scatter you amongst the city streets towards 20-25 checkpoints. You decide which are "musts" and "maybes", which ones have to be visited early, or late, and which ones you'd rather steer clear of completely.
For those that prefer two-wheeled action, Sunday's Nine2Five is a longer day with greater distance, but with less decisions on the way. The activities are more spectacular, with kayaks and ropes thrown into the mix. However, with dozens of fresh pairs of legs joining the event on Sunday morning, the action is sure to be as intense. Unlike previous years, and as well proven by the Bristol & Edinburgh Rat Races, we have continued with a SCORE format for the Nine2Five, whereby checkpoints along a regulated route all have values. In this way, you will endeavour to visit all checkpoints (and activities) but you can also cut short your route without penalisation. You will discover more on this when you collect your route book at 0700 Sunday. For the all-rounders looking for the complete urban adventure, The Weekender provides the best of both worlds. Two days of non-stop activity, with every checkpoint counting towards final positions.
Remember to polish those ivories, as you’ll be all over Channel 4 and SleepMonsters film and photography at this event, with pictures available for purchase from the SleepMonsters PhotoSales online outlet soon after the event. |
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Timings
Please make sure to take note of all the timings for this action packed weekend, you don't want to miss out on anything! The Mean Streets starts with an explosive mass on Saturday start at 1700 and finishes close on 1930, and is predominantly foot based. The Nine2Five starts on Sunday at 0900 with a Rat Run leading to a Challenge and then to your bikes. The rest of the day is predominantly bike-based, connecting up several fantastic challenges on the route, with all finishers back by 1700. The Weekender features both the Mean Streets and the Nine2Five components.
SATURDAY
1100 Competitor Registration open
1100 Competitor Refresher Sessions begin (See below for further info)
1500 Competitor Registration closes
1530 Competitor pre-event briefing (ALL Saturday competitors required to attend)
1700 Mean Streets Race starts
1930 Mean Streets Race finishes
2100 Secure Bike compound closes
SUNDAY
0700 Competitor secure compound open
0700 Nine2Five Competitor Registration opens
0700 Collect route books and more
0830 Nine2Five Competitor Registration closes
0830 Competitor pre-event briefing (ALL Sunday competitors required to attend)
0900 Nine2Five Race starts
1430 First teams expected to finish
1700 All teams back – course closes
1900 Awards Ceremony from the event village
1930 Secure Bike Compound must be cleared |
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Registration Procedure
You must register as a full team. There will be NO exceptions. Please download two files that you will need to hand at the registration: 'Medical Form & Disclaimer' and 'Self Declaration of Mandatory Kit'. Both documents are available for download from the website here (top right hand side column).
At registration you will:
1) collect your “dibbers” (electronic timing devices for the event)
2) receive your Rat Race goody bag
3) receive your Rat Race T-Shirt
4) receive your Race number
5) receive a map and some early instructions |
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Kit Info and RatRaceStore.com
The are some essentials and recommendations with kit, to make your weekend safe and comfortable. Go here to peruse. Also take note of the extra gear that Stewart has stated - Tyres with grip, £1 per team mate and a pair of gloves. The Store will be open in the Event Village from 11.00 Saturday and throughout the weekend. If you have any last minute kit needs and want to order online for collection at the weekend, please add your instructions in the Shipping Notes. We'll also be offering some recession-busting deals on great brands like Ron Hill, Skins and Endura (up to 25% off). Please feel free to drop us a line if you want to know more info@ratracestore.com
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Harness/Helmet Hire
Anyone taking part in the Nine2Five requires a climbing helmet and harness. But don't worry we are going to provide them to one guys for free! This year we will not be issuing them at registration, they will already in the locations where they are needed. So you don't even have to carry them for the day!!! |
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Bike Hire
Still haven't sorted a bike for yourself? Well fear not, Bikedock have come on board as our bike hire partner for the event. They will deliver your bike to City Hall, set up for you and then pick it up afterwards. Could they make it any easier! To book your bike and get a Rat Race discount, go on to their new bike hire site - cyclehireni.com and use the promo code RATRACE. |
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Skills Refresher Sessions (For Nine2Five only)
As a reminder we do have refresher sessions available for the Belfast Rat Race. These are optional but highly recommended to get the most from your Rat Race if ropes and boats are new to you, and instructors will make sure you are familiar with the equipment you will be using and pass on key tips on technique. In fact we do require you have these skills prior to starting. You can gain the skills by attending one of the refresher sessions or by attending a session at your local climbing or kayaking provider. You can take part as a team or just on your own. Refresher sessions are run on the SATURDAY at the event village. Those partaking only in an abseil session can book for 1100 or 1200 slots and for those choosing both kayak and abseil sessions, we have slots at 1200 (kayak) and 1300 (abseil). Abseil sessions cost £9 each and you can buy a package of both kayak and abseil sessions for £15. Book them here through the Rat Race Store. |
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Jury's Inn offer
We have a special offer for our Belfast Rat Race participants if you fancy a night or two with Jury's Inn on race weekend. Simply contact the hotel directly by phone or email and quote “Raterace” to avail of the special offer. The rates are subject to availability. The deal is £69 BB per twin. Call reservations on 028 905 33500 or email jurysinnbelfast@jurysinns.com |
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Prize-giving
Join us at 1900 at the event village as we wrap the show on the weekend, with prizes for winners and awards for deliverance, followed by a swift visit to a local hostelry!
See you on the start line! |
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