Rat Race - The Urban Adventure For Teenage Cancer Trust
Published 22nd May 2008 by Jane Ashton

Get fit for Rat Race and raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust at the same time.  A fresh and innovative new sports event is set to take the streets of Brighton by storm this summer, raising funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and the development of a new cancer unit for young people and teenagers in the South East. It is the Rat Race – a team based urban sports challenge that uses the city itself as its playground. Part physical and part mental challenge, this innovative event is open to pairs and teams of three and has been a huge success in cities across the country.

As official charity partner for the event, funds will go to Teenage Cancer Trust. Six teenagers are diagnosed with cancer each day, that’s over 2,000 every year. But these young patients don’t stop being teenagers just because they get cancer. Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) ensures that young cancer patients get the best possible care in hospital and the chance to do all the things that other teenagers do. TCT funds specialist teenage cancer units in NHS hospitals, with the aim being to give every young person with cancer access to a unit and improve survival rates. Southampton General Hospital has now made a full commitment to build a unit as part of their building plans. The new unit is expected to be completed by 2011, and will have 8 beds. It costs around £2million to open a new unit, all of which the charity has to raise.

Coming to Brighton for the first time and operating from an event base on Brighton Beach on 28th June 2008, the Rat Race sees competitors running, biking, kayaking, abseiling and navigating their way around the city in a course that is only revealed hours before they begin. Previous events have taken place in London, Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester and Edinburgh and 2008 sees the inaugural Brighton event lay solid foundations to become an annual event in the city. Although the course is kept a closely guarded secret until the eve of the event, the Rat Race planners have been hard at work finding the very best the city has to offer for this unique event.

Rat Race Creator Jim Mee explains: “Brighton offers a really eclectic mix of adventure opportunities for the Rat Race. From the obvious facets such as the sea and the beach, to the beautiful Downs flanking the city and of course the wealth of exuberant city life to be found throughout Brighton and Hove, the Rat Race in Brighton will reveal so many different layers of adventure within the city in a manner never really experienced before. Whether it’s flying down the promenade on bikes or getting to grips with some aquatic pursuits, or simply revelling in the hustle and bustle of the Laines whilst hunting for quirky checkpoints we have set up with local venues and businesses, this event is really going to entertain. We aim to show off Brighton to residents and visitors alike and we think there is a superb mixture of sights and sounds on and off the beaten track that we can feature within the event. This is an exciting event to plan, which means it will be even more exciting to take part in!”

Nick Piggott, Teenage Cancer Trust adds, “This is an incredibly exciting event and we are delighted to be the official charity partner. The funds raised will help us reach our goal of building a new Teenage Cancer Trust Unit for the South East. Each unit costs £2 million to build, of all which has to be raised, so all donations and sponsorship from this event are vital if we are to help teenagers and young people in the region.”

The event will start and finish on Brighton Beach, from an event village that will feature adventure attractions, live music and event commentary. Those wishing to catch some of the Rat Race action should make a beeline for the village, where they can come and watch competitors doing certain challenges in the event village.   

At this event village will also be a special fringe event called the “Mad Rat” bike stunt championships. This event features some of the country’s best mountain bike riders competing for the title of national stunt riding champion and promises to provide brilliant summer entertainment for those watching. All spectating is free. For those wanting to try their hand at some adventure pursuits, there will be a climbing tower and the mountain bikes will be available for children to get some expert tuition from the stunt riders.

Entry for the Brighton Rat Race is offered at a rate of £79 per person. Entry to the event village is free of charge. Rat Race entries close on 01st June 2008. All competitors receive a race shirt, souvenirs and Rat Race merchandise and all equipment is provided, however competitors must have a bicycle. Full entry details, training tips and full event information can be found at www.ratraceadventure.com or telephone the Rat Race office on 0845 0094365.

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