What’s it all about?

The River Rat Race has been designed by the guys behind the legendary Rat Race Urban Adventure events, partnering with Stockton Borough Council. It is a 10+km walking or running journey along the banks of the Tees, interspersed with adventure activities based on, near (or in!) the Tees.

It takes place on Sunday 29th August and starts at 12pm. It’s open to everyone and costs £35 to enter. You enter as a solo participant, but on the day you can participate alongside your mates, family, club or team mates if you wish – just enter your ‘team’ name in the box on the online entry form.

Event Format

OK so what happens? Well, you enter the event online here and we provide you with some pre-event info by email around 4 weeks before the event. When you pitch up on the day, you register at our Registration tent at the Tees Barrage and then you line up to starts from 12pm, with the course taking about 90-150 minutes depending on your chosen pace.

Everyone will complete the same route, through the new Teesdale development and then past Stockton town centre and winding its way back down through the Barrage area and downstream to the Newport Bridge. From there you will return to the Barrage and finish there, amidst the action of the Take to the Tees Festival.

Along this route, which you can run or jog and which is fully way-marked, there are a number of activities to complete. It is a race, but hey, who’s counting – just getting round this course is all that’s needed to make you a River Rat.

The activities range from walking the plank into the river at Captain Cook’s replica ship; HM Bark Endeavour (and jumping off into the river!), short episodes of kayaking and wet dunkings, muddy scrambles, to scaling the mighty Newport Bridge via an exciting ladder climb. None of these activities require special skill, but all of them are pretty exciting! An overview of the route can be seen on our illustrated map, here.

There is no time limit to complete the route and when you are finished, you will be able to change into some dry clothes and enjoy the rest of the Festival, including live bands and a fireworks display, plus maybe a well earned drink at the bar!

What do I need?

You need a sense of adventure, a head for heights, a love of water and just enough fitness to get around the 10+km course and complete the activities - in some clothes that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy.

You’ll be in and out of the water, so quick-drying sports clothing is recommended and definitely not long trousers or thick tops, which will get heavy when wet. You should also wear footwear that will be suitable for use on and off road and that you don’t mind getting a bit wet and muddy too.

You DON’T need any specialist kit and the event will provide buoyancy aids, kayaks, paddles, helmets and climbing harnesses where required within the route. We might ask that you bring a cycling helmet for the kayaking activity.

You will need to be aged over 16 on the day, and if 16-17 you will need parental or guardian consent.

How do I enter?

Go to the online entry page here, a few clicks of the mouse and an online form filled in and you’re entered. After that, you will hear from us approximately 4 weeks before the event takes place with emailed pre-event information. This information will also be posted on the event website. Aside from that, get training and prepare to take on the River Rat Race!

What do I get for my money?

Your race entry fees includes some of the following:

- Rat Race Endura Cairn technical race shirt. RRP £19.99.

- £10 cash voucher to redeem on adventure sports kit at www.RatRaceStore.com.

- Personal safety equipment including buoyancy aids, helmets and harnesses.

- Electronic timing.

- Use of rigid, plastic sit-on-top kayaks.

- Professionally coordinated safety teams.

How fit do I need to be?

The River Rat Race is designed for anyone to take part in and will involve 10+km of running and/or jogging and walking to link up our activity locations. If you can sustain a couple of hours of outdoor activity and if you are prepared to get wet, sweat a bit and maybe even scare yourself a little, then this is for you.

You do not need any special skills and you can choose to run or walk as fast or as slow as you like. Some will race and some will hold hands and sing, whoop and holler!