Water obstacle course may leave you looking like a drowned rat

When: 16th August 2014

Where: Docklands, East London

£: Entry to the event costs from £48, a minimum of £10 from each entry will go to Shelter.

What is it?

London’s first water obstacle course, the River Rat Race, will take place on 16th August.  The race will provide an incredible challenge for crazy competitors as well as raise vital funds for the homeless charity Shelter.  The 10km water course will see participants run, jump, swim, kayak and climb their way around Docklands in East London.

Entry into the River Rat Race costs from £48, with a minimum of £10 from each entry going to Shelter.  The money raised will help people across the country struggling with homelessness.  Further money will go to the charity through sponsorship funds raised by each participant.

The race will start inside ExCel London, with participants facing a quick fire barrage of obstacles, before they head out on to the dockside.  From there, they will run west towards the Emirates Air Line, tackling more obstacles as they go.  This short run will provide a good warm-up ahead of the first dip into the water.  Participants will then enter the Royal Victoria Dock via a water jump. This will be followed by a short swim and an energy sapping, thigh deep wade onto an urban beach.

Back on dry land, competitors will head east with a mixture of jumping, swimming and wading required.  This is followed by more running and a kayak section.  From there it’s homeward bound, but as it’s a Rat Race event it won’t be that simple!  Participants will be faced with more challenges and a few surprises before they cross the finish line.  This will include the centrepiece obstacle of the event; a towering confidence jump, plummeting the brave competitors 20 feet into the water below.

To take part, all that participants will need is enough fitness to get around the course, a pair of trainers, some clothes they don’t mind getting wet and muddy in, and a willingness to try something new.

As growing numbers of people struggle with soaring housing costs, Shelter has seen a rise in demand for help from people fighting to keep a roof over their heads.  The River Rat Race is hoping to raise thousands of pounds to fund Shelter’s work helping people facing bad housing and homelessness.

More info: For more information on the event, including how to enter, visit www.londonriverratrace.com.