Q. Is this for me?

A: If you are up for a challenge, don’t mind (or positively relish) getting wet and you can complete a couple of hours or physical activity outside, then you will be able to complete the River Rat. There’s around 10+km of walking or running involved, with some of the activities involving getting wet and some are physically demanding.

It’s a solid challenge but it’s designed to be achievable.

Q: How do I enter the event and register to take part?

A: You enter the event online HERE. You enter as a solo participant, or gather your mates together and get the team spirit going by entering a team while taking advantage of an even more discounted entry. Teams must be groups of 5 or 10. Once you have entered online, you receive a confirmation of this via email. You will then receive pre-event information from us by email approximately 4 weeks before the event and then again a week before the event. All correspondence is sent by email and not through the post. Please also check the website for any updates pre-event.

If you enter as a team of 5 or 10 you will purchase an entry for the whole team and then you will have time until two weeks prior the event to fill in details for each Team Member. Instructions on how to enter your Team Members are included in the email confirmation.

When you arrive at the event on the day, we will ask you to register and you will collect your timing chip, official Rat Race Technical Tee Shirt and other event goodies.

Q: Do you send me anything through the post before the event?

A: No. We do not send anything in the post. All correspondence is done through e-mail. You will receive your race shirt and timing chip on the day at registration.

Q: What happens on the day?

A: The event starts at 11am and you will have arrived before this to register, between 8:30am and 11am. Please note that there is no parking at Riverside Car Park on the day of the event. You might like to make a full day of it with us as there are numerous things to do at our event village location at the Riverside Park, with entertainments laid on throughout the day.

Q: What time does it start?

A: 11am on Sunday 26th August.

Q: Can I do it with my family?

A: Yes, you can take part as a family. The race is designed for solo participants as well as teams of 5 and teams of 10. Which means you can do it on your own, or with a whole clan of you!

Q: What is the minimum age to take part?

A: You need to be at least 16 years old on the day of the event. Everyone aged 16 to 17 must provide parental (or legal Guardian) consent for their participation, which must be signed on the day, at registration, and must also complete the course under the supervision of this parent, or legal Guardian.

Q: Is it a race?

A: It is a race, but it is up to you whether you complete the route at race pace or snail’s pace. There is no time limit to complete it and you can walk around the course if you wish. You will be given an electronic timing chip to record your time around the route and to provide us with a way of keeping track of everybody who is out on the course.

Q: Can I skip an activity if I don’t like the look of it?

A: The course is designed with the emphasis on fun. All activities are achievable and where required, we have significant event safety staff on hand. Skipping an activity might diminish your sense of achievement and it will mean that you have not completed the full course, but that is OK. If you don’t like the look of it, you do not have to do it.

If you have an injury, then you should consult your GP on whether it is appropriate to take part in the event. The GP might not be able to comment on specific activities. Many obstacles involve water and one involves climbing ladders to a significant height. This is all part of the challenge. If you have a fear, then this might be the event for you to confront that fear.

Q: How much running or walking is involved?

A: There is 10+km of riverside running or walking involved to link all the activity locations, if you complete the full route.

Q: What sort of clothing should I wear?

A: The event takes place in August, which means it could be hot. But it could be chilly too, so you should prepare for the weather conditions that are expected and take part in what you feel most comfortable in. Remember, you will be getting wet a number of times. This will involve total immersion in water. Getting in and out of the river will cool you down quickly, so good breathable, quick drying fabrics are suggested. Wear shorts, socks and footwear that will dry quickly afterwards, if possible.

You will be wearing the same clothing throughout with no changing involved, so make sure you are comfy in these clothes and that they won’t get too heavy when they get wet. For the running or walking, you will be on tarmac a good deal of the time, but there will be some off road sections, so good robust trainers should be used; trainers you don’t mind getting wet, of course. You’ll also be getting muddy.

Q: Do I need any special kit to do this?

A: Aside from the clothing you will wear for the event, you do not need any special equipment. We will provide you with buoyancy aids, kayaks, climbing harnesses and helmets where required, during the event.

Q: Do I need to be able to swim?

A: It is recommended. Some activities will involve full immersion in water and there are some that will require you to swim short distances. Buoyancy aids are provided by the organisers, together with ropes to pull yourself along through the water as back-up measures. There will also be non-swimmer alternatives at these locations. Full safety cover, including safety swimmers and safety kayakers, is in place where required.

Q: Do I need to be able to kayak?

A: Well, there is a kayaking activity and how well you can kayak will determine how quickly you will complete it. The boats are however are very easy to paddle and very stable sit-on-top models. If you are hopeless, it’s OK. You might end up going round in circles for a while, but you will master it in the end. The kayak sections are quite short and there are safety kayakers in the water, who will help you out if you do fall in, or just give you a few pointers if you are struggling to work out which is the kayak and which is the paddle!

Q: Are there water stops on the course?

A: There is a water station at around half way of the course.

Q: Is the river dirty?

A: The water quality of the River Tees is generally very good and this is why we are using it in this way, for this event. We cannot guarantee water quality however and if it falls to below accepted levels, we will use alternative activities. We are guided by the British Waterways and the Environment Agency in this regard and will defer to their judgement in all cases. It must be said however that river water, however clean, is never free from risk to health and you should apply best practice pre-event in covering up any open cuts or grazes and post-event, wash your hands thoroughly before consuming any food or drink.

Q: Can I do this for charity?

A: Yes, you can race for any Charity of your choice.

Q: Are there prizes?

A: There are prizes for the winning male and female participants – who are those who complete the course, with all activities completed, in the fastest time. There will also be spot prizes for those who show exceptional fortitude, courage and general derring-do out there on the course.

Q: Will I get wet?

A: Yes.

Q: What facilities do you have on site?

A: We DO have: Toilets, food, drink, Registration tent and an area to leave spare/ dry clothes/ change after the event (outdoor fenced and screened communal compounds with separate male and female areas).

Take to the Tees entertainments will also be present, including funfair, “have-a-go” sports activities, trade stands and bar.

We DO NOT have showers on site.