From: rat-hq@ratraceadventure.com
Sent: 25 September 2007 12:44
To: Christopher Taylor
Subject: London latest - read all about it

Hello London adventurers,

This will be the last mail-out from Rat HQ in advance of the London event. We are looking forward to greeting you all at Potters Field Park this coming weekend and thank every one of you for joining us in this inaugural London Rat Race event - it's going to be one hell of a journey. This is mailout #3 and if you have not received any of the previous ones, then do give us a shout at info@ratraceadventure.com or 0845 009 4365 and we will send them out to you. Please ensure all of your team mates are able to read the enclosed and the other mail outs so they are abreast of all information.

In this issue:

1.) Notes from the course

2.) Event venue

3.) Travel to/ parking at the venue

4.) Registration documents - pre-register now!

5.) Event running order

6.) Final kit instructions - bikes, boats and ropes IMPORTANT!!!

7.) Party venue

1.) Notes from the course

The course is ready. Here's a quick update from Nick Gracie - the man on the maps and your course planner for the London Rat Race.

"Hello everyone, in a few days you'll be able to enjoy what I have been up to for the past few months. London is a massive place and with that comes massive scope for this course - it's been a really fun job scouring the city for the Rat Race and I hope you will like what we've set up for you this coming weekend. Have fun, enjoy the views, get stuck into the activities and see London from a perspective truly not seen before. Be safe and look after your team-mates - this is a team event after all. And remember, it's busy out there. There are 1000s of other road users, so keep an eye on them at all times - we have not closed any roads for the Rat Race. I'll see you at the briefing and until then, good luck with final preparations and may the Rat be with you!"

2.) Event venue

A quick re-cap on event village location. It is right next to Tower Bridge on the South Bank of the River Thames.

Potters Field Park

Southwark

London

SE1 2UP

3.) Travel to/ Parking at the venue

Bikes

If riding your bike to the event village, you can leave this and other gear in our secure competitor compound within the village. This is open all day both days until midnight on the Saturday and 2100 on the Sunday. Please DO NOT plan to leave any bikes or equipment in this area overnight on Saturday. If cycling to the village, note and respect the byelaw in force on the More London Riverside (next to the site) of no cycling. Essentially, this means DO NOT cycle on the South Bank next to the site. No cycling is permitted here.

Car

On the weekend, there is some good free parking in the streets surrounding the village. There are numerous secure multi-stories too. There is no parking available AT the event village.

Public transport

For tube, bus and rail, London Bridge station is easiest. You can also get to the village by alighting at Tower Bridge or Tower gateway stations all coming over Tower Bridge.

4.) Registration documents - pre-register now!

If you want to save some time at registration, pre-print and fill out your medical form and personal details form. These will be on the website from today at http://www.ratraceadventure.com/page28.asp. You do not have to do this, but it will save you time when you arrive. Times for registration are 1000 - 1500. PLEASE come as early as possible - this will help you relax into the pace of pre-event preparations, but will also allow you to beat the registration queues.

5.) Recap on event running order

Sat

0800 Refresher courses start or kayaks and ropes

1000 Registration opens

1200 Event village entertainments begin

1500 Registration closes

1530 Mass briefing for all to attend

1700 Mean Streets event begins

2000 Mean Streets event ends

2100 Bar closes

0000 Secure compound closes and all gear to be removed from site

Sun

0730 Rat Race Adventure class begins

1200 Event village entertainments begin

1400 Expected first arrival back to event village for winning team

1800 All teams back in the village - course closed

1930 Party starts

2030 Prize giving at the party

2100 Event village compound closes - all equipment removed

6.) Final kit instructions - bikes, boats and ropes IMPORTANT!!!

Some of you are struggling to find the kit list - it's important you find it on the website as you WILL be required to do the kit check on Saturday. The list is available at http://www.ratraceadventure.com/page10.asp. For the kit check, you will be asked by us to show all your gear - except your bikes. You do not need to bring these on Saturday if you do not want to. You CAN ride your bike into the event village if you WANT to and leave it in the compound, but it's not required for the kit check and is not needed on the Saturday night event.

A re-cap on what is provided for you in the event and what is not. This relates to adventure class only.

Bike

You must provide your own bike. It MUST have a bell. It must have 2 wheels but no engine. It must be in good working order. If you still have not found a steed for the weekend, try these guys http://www.londonbicycle.com.

Kayaks

ALL kayaks, buoyancy aids and paddles are provided by us.

Harness/ helmet for roped sections

We have hired out our entire supply of these to racers. We know there are some teams still looking for these items. In order to do the roped activities, you MUST have these items. A biking helmet will not suffice for rope-work as it is not designed for use in this environment. This is a critical point and you will not be allowed to abseil or climb with a cycling helmet. If you call us, we can give you advice on what to do if you have not got these items but you MUST have these items to climb/ abseil on the Sunday.

7.) Party venue

The party will be held in the Barrowboy and Banker pub at London Bridge. It is literally right on London Bridge, 5 minutes walk from the event village. This starts at 1930 and we will be offering up some free drinks. There will be food available for those that are ravenous (at cost) and the prize giving will take place here too, at 2030. Bring your mates if you like and remember, we do have good spot prizes so you might win something, even if you havent hoovered up the course. Please let us know if you are coming by emailing party@ratraceadventure.com, telling us your team name and the number in your group.

That's it. Here are our contacts once again for all enquiries - 0845 0094365 and info@ratraceadventure.com.

We'll see you on Saturday in London town.

Warmest Regards,

The Rat Race crew

The Rat Race thanks the following organisations for sponsoring and supporting the Rat Race Urban Adventure Series 2006:

Columbia Sportswear <http://www.columbia.com> Official Sports Apparel Footwear Partner to the Rat Race, Columbia was founded in 1938. Columbia Sportswear Company is a global leader in the design, sourcing, marketing and distribution of active outdoor apparel and footwear. As one of the largest outerwear brands in the world and the leading seller of skiwear in the United States, the Company has developed an international reputation for quality, performance, functionality and value.

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Visiting London <www.visitlondon.com>

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Bristol City Council <http://www.bristol-city.gov.uk>

Destination Bristol <http://visitbristol.co.uk>

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The City of Edinburgh Council and FutureSport <http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/futuresport/>

EventScotland <http://www.eventscotland.org>

Visit Scotland <http://adventure.visitscotland.com>

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Active Magazine www.goactive.com

For Goodness Shakes www.forgoddnessshakes.com