AN EXHILARATING HIKING ADVENTURE THROUGH THIS BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN LANDSCAPE, FROM THE SUMMIT OF PIC BOBY THE HIGHEST PEAK IN ANDRINGITRA NATIONAL PARK TO THE INDIAN OCEAN. THIS IS MADGASCAR SUMMIT TO SEA.
We have handcrafted this unique expedition style adventure to showcase the unique beauty of this east African island, you will pass through dense jungle, vast farmland and towering granite mountains as you wind your way to the summit of Pic Boby (2658m) and back down to sea level. This is the perfect adventure for those looking to experience Madagascar on foot, exploring the rarely trodden trails, spotting lemurs and chameleons in the wild and seeing this stunning country up close and personal.
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You should be a competent trail runner or hiker, comfortable tackling off-road technical terrain over multiple days while carrying a running pack. Ideally, you’ll have some experience paddling down a river, whether in a raft, kayak, or canoe. However, this is not essential.
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LOCATION:
PIC BOBY ANDRINGITRA NATIONAL PARK, MADAGASCAR
DURATION:
13 DAYS / 12 NIGHTS
SLEEP STYLE:
HOTEL, LODGE, CAMPING
ON FOOT: 122km
RAFTING: 66km
TOTAL ELEVATION: 3556m
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
ACCOMMODATION
GUIDES AND SUPPORT
12 nights accommodation, hotel/ lodge/ camping
Includes in-country guides, Rat Race expedition leader, porters, British medical and welfare support.
SAFETY
Professional local and UK safety staff and medics. Rat Race experts on hand throughout. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.
TRANSFER POLICY
Transfer your entry to event credit up to 12 weeks before the departure date and protect your entry with optional Refund Protect.
EQUIPMENT
All safety and rafting equipment provided.
TRANSFERS
Transfer to and from Ivato International Airport International Airport TNR
EXTRAS
High quality medal, rat rag and premium t-shirt for all participants. Training Plans available here
WE ARE GOING TO BUY A TRACT OF STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT
RAINFOREST IN CENTRAL AMERICA.
Madagascar is situated 300mile East off the coast of Mozambique. Known for its wildlife, lemurs, chameleons and unique flora and fauna such as the huge baobab trees. The landscape is a mixture of jungle, farmland, rice paddies and towering granite mountains. Famous for Madagascan vanilla and a fusion of French and African cuisine. Our event allows you to experience the best of the Madagascan landscape from Summit to Sea.
The objective is to reach the summit of Pic Boby at a height of 2,658m in the Andringitra National Park over the first two days then travel East under foot and pack raft through multiple terrains including jungle before reaching the Matutanana river. Here you will get into pack rafts for an exhilarating rapid fuelled adventure which will take you closer to the coastline. You will be cheered on by local children as they watch you take on the rapids in pack rafts. As the river starts to slow and meander towards the Indian ocean you will be greeted by families and workers panning for gold in the river you are paddling. For the last 12km you will put back on your trainers to run the last section to the beach. Here you can celebrate with a well-earned beer before jumping on a boat back to the hotel and a bed for the night.
DAY ONE: ARRIVAL DAY
​​ACCOMMODATION: Hotel (1 km from Airport)
MEALS: Dinner at Hotel
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DAY TWO: DRIVE TO FIANARANSTOA
An early start for our long car journey to Fiana.
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ACCOMMODATION: Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast at hotel included. Opportunity to purchase lunch enroute. Dinner at hotel/ local restaurant included.
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DAY THREE: DRIVE TO VOHITSAOKA
We'll set off for the final part of our journey to Vohitsaoka, ​a beautiful scenic drive as we head into the mountains and end up in the Andringitra National Park. You may spot a ring tailed Lemar and first sighting of the imposing granite massifs that make the national park famous. After a quick freshen up we'll jump straight into our core event briefings, Registration and kit prep in afternoon.
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ACCOMMODATION: Tsarasoa Eco Lodge
MEALS: Breakfast at hotel included. Opportunity to purchase lunch. Dinner at Lodge​ included.​​​​​​​​​​​​
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DAY FOUR: RUN DAY ONE
(10KM +795m)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Start running from Tsarasoa lodge. Bed into the heat, dry air conditions and steep ascents. Finishing at the first camp spot, which is beautiful and provides a swim spot for everyone.
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ACCOMMODATION: Riverside Camping
MEALS: Breakfast at lodge, lunch prepped at lodge and carried, dinner cooked at camp included. Participants provide own snacks.​​​
DAY FIVE: RUN DAY TWO
(10KM +1257m)
A 7km run to camp. A kit sort and then groups will hike with guides to the summit of Pic Bobby (2,658m) if weather and conditions allow. Pic Bobby takes approx 4hrs with good weather conditions.
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ACCOMMODATION: Riverside Camping
MEALS: Breakfast/ Dinner included: Camp cooking. Lunch: Participant's packed lunch/ snacks
DAY SIX: RUN DAY THREE
(42KM +749m)
Big run day from camp 2 to camp 3 (before jungle section). 42km Marathon day!
A fantastic day of running, wide open path through farmland and rice paddies. Multiple river crossing for people to cool down and top up water if needed.
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ACCOMMODATION: Camping
MEALS: Breakfast/Dinner: Participant's own expedition meals. Lunch: Participant's packed lunch/ snacks
DAY SEVEN: RUN DAY FOUR
(25.3KM +358m)
The path narrows as we enter the jungle. Running conditions become more difficult and the progress will slow down. A roped section down the escarpment will be fun and exhilarating for the group
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ACCOMMODATION: Camping
MEALS: Breakfast/Dinner: Participant's own expedition meals. Lunch: Participant's packed lunch/ snacks
DAY EIGHT: RUN DAY FIVE
(17.8KM +248m)
A long run day along the river edge. Today we will start to see signs of life and villages. Even some places to buy coffee and soft drinks!
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ACCOMMODATION: Camping
MEALS: Breakfast: Participant expedition meals. Lunch: Participant's packed lunch/ snacks. Dinner included cooked at camp.
DAY NINE: RAFT DAY ONE
(37.2KM)
A day of rafting down the river, navigating the rapids and portering boats and kit when the rapids are not suitable for decent. The river today will be full of people panning for gold. There may also be crocodile sightings.
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ACCOMMODATION: Camping
MEALS: Breakfast: Included camp cooking. Lunch: Participant's packed lunch/ snacks. Dinner participant expedition meals.
DAY TEN: RAFT DAY TWO / RUN DAY SIX
(RAFT 29KM / RUN 13KM +48M)
Finish rafting at the bridge, changing into running kit for the final half marathon to the coastline and the finishline! Boats will pick up pax and crew. Using the river to bring them back to the bridge and the main road before the transfer to the hotel.
​ACCOMMODATION: Camping
MEALS: Breakfast: Included camp cooking. Lunch: Participant's packed lunch/ snacks. Dinner participant expedition meals.
DAY ELEVEN: DRIVE TO RANOMAFANA NATIONAL PARK
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Drive to Ranomafana National Park where we will visit hot springs and go lemur spotting!
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ACCOMMODATION: Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast: hotel included. Lunch: Participant's packed lunch/ snacks. Dinner: Included at a restaurant.
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DAY TWELVE: DRIVE TO ANTANANARIVO
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​The journey back to where we started!
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ACCOMMODATION: Hotel
MEALS: Breakfast: Hotel. Lunch: Participant's packed lunch/ snacks. Dinner: Restaurant ​
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DAY THIRTEEN: DEPARTURE DAY
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​​Time to fly home with some epic memories of your incredible bucket list adventure.
ACCOMMODATION: N/A
MEALS: Breakfast: Hotel.
ACCOMMODATION
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All accommodation is always offered on a shared basis. If you are taking part on your own, you will be paired with another participant of the same sex in a twin room. If you have preferences for who you share with, you are able to specify that prior to departure. Camping will be in 2 man tents.
Single supplements may be available subject to availability in hotels/lodges.
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MEALS​​​
BREAKFAST
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Breakfast at the accommodation is a fresh and varied local buffet. Breakfast when provided at campsites will be a basic porridge style meal with fresh fruit. You may wish to augment this with your own expedition meals. You will need to provide 4 x freeze dried expedition style meals (reheated with hot water) as a minimum for breakfast. Use Ratrace15 on expeditionfoods.com for 15% off at check out.
LUNCH
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With the exception of Day 4, you will provide your lunch throughout the itinerary. During the expedition we recommend high calorie snack style items you can eat easily on the go supplemented with liquid calories such as Tailwind. Calories are king! You will have the opportunity to bring in and offload items before the rafting begins so you don't need to carry everything at all times.
SNACKS
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Due to the remote location and limited vehicle access we will only be able to provide basic support. During the challenge we will provide water and some fresh fruit where access allows this. Participants should plan to bring enough snacks to keep them going throughout the itinerary.
Some of the kit listed is to help you have a safe experience and have the best chance of finishing. Some of this kit is to ensure that if you are unable to continue without our assistance then we can be confident of you having the level of equipment required to keep you as comfortable as possible whilst you wait for that assistance. It is serious stuff so please do take everything we ask with you and discuss anything you are missing with the Expedition Manager.
During the land phases, you will be carrying your personal equipment with tents, stoves, emergency kit and food carried by porters. Once on the river, all of your equipment including communal kit provided by our Operators, will need to fit inside your rucksack. Note on clothing: Wet/Dry kit. You need one set of clothing to wear in the day which will get wet on the jungle and river phase and a second set to put on in the evening.
Rucksack (minimum 60ltr) A comfortable rucksack that fits your back, a good outdoor shop
will be able to help with fitting. All your personal gear needs to fit easily into this pack plus your food and tents during theriver phase. Extra kit eg. travel clothes, can be left at the hotel in Antananarivo.
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Waterproof Rucksack liner
Sealable “canoe” or “dry” bags made by Podsac or Ortlieb. You need a large one to line your
rucksack. In the raft your pack. WILL GET WET!
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Smaller drybags – As above, but smaller bags to put
essential items in. The large rucksack liners will leak so anything important needs to be waterproofed individually. Please bring additional dry bags (named) to store your expedition rations in as these will be carried by porters during the land phase.
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Transition bag – A dry bag or. similar small, lightweight option to hold your food and specific
kit for the rafting phase. This will meet you at the packraft transition and will not be accessible for the initial land phase. Please ensure the bag is named.
Sleeping bag rated to 0 comfort – At altitude the temperature drops at night - in the mountains it may hover around freezing, if you know you sleep cold please adjust accordingly. It will be much
warmer as we near the coast.
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Sleeping bag liner – For use at lower altitudes instead of a sleeping bag.
Rollmat – Thermarest or equivalent. Bring a repair kit if it’s inflatable.
Waterproof wallet – For your passport, essential documents and money.
Clothing
Long sleeve tops x 2 – Long sleeve tops (for sun and insect protection) that dry quickly. Avoid blue/black clothing as it attracts flies.
Long trousers x 2 – Thin, wicking sports leggings. Full length essential for protection from
insects and vegetation.
Jacket/fleece – The evenings are cold at altitude.
A lightweight synthetic jacket may pack smaller/lighter than many fleece options.
Waterproof jacket - Lightweight Gore Tex or equivalent.
Hiking sock x 4 – Light weight trekking socks.
Trail shoes – Ensure your shoes are very well worn in and really comfortable with grip suited to varied terrain. ‘Mid’ shoes with ankle support give good support when carrying load, but are
not essential. Try and avoid Gore-tex liners as your feet find it harder to breather and the shoes do not dry easily when wet.
Sports sandals / river shoes – Around camp and on the river. Ensure secure and
comfortable. Not flip flops!
Sun hat – Wide brimmed
sun hat.
Cap or visor – For use under a helmet in the boats.
Paddling or cycling gloves – Half-finger padded
gloves are great for rafting.​
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PAY IN INSTALMENTS
SIGN UP TODAY
/ MONTH
£305.8
INTEREST FREE!
PAY IN FULL
£4950
/ TOTAL PAYMENT
SIGN UP TODAY
*All entries will are in GBP A booking fee of 2.99% will be added to all payments.
PAY MONTHLY INTEREST FREE!
ENTER NOW AND SPREAD THE COST INTEREST FREE WITH OUR INSTALMENT PLAN
We’ve put together a fantastic new instalment plan that allows you to choose how many months you want to spread the cost of this brilliant adventure over. You can pay it off all in one go or spread it over as many months as you like, totally interest free*. The payments will be split equally allowing you to budget and plan for this stunning journey. All payments to be made before February, 3 months prior to the event.
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*When you sign up to the instalment plan Rat Race will then set up a reoccurring payment and your card will be debited on the same date each month. If there is an error with your payment you will receive reminders from Stripe, our payment provider, and also the Rat Race customer service team. After 3 attempts to contact you if the outstanding balance remains unpaid we will assume you wish to cancel your entry and will withdraw you from the event and you will not be eligible to enter our transfer process and no monies will be refunded.
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Please see here for full terms and conditions and our cancellation policy.
PROTECT YOUR NON-REFUNDABLE BOOKING WITH REFUND PROTECT
Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.
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To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
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To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry.
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES
At Rat Race, we create extraordinary adventures for everyone people. We know we’re a premium brand and that those adventures are premium experiences. In our 20th year, we have decided that our commitment to investment in our standards, safety and quality of experience should be matched in our commitment to the transparency in showing how we spend your hard-earned cash in bringing these adventures to life.
So here it is. A pie chart of how we spend your money in bringing our events and trips to life.
RAISE AT LEAST £5000 (EXCLUDING GIFT AID) FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND GET £2500 OF YOUR ENTRY FEE REFUNDED!
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Our longstanding partnership with Children with Cancer UK gives #ratracers the opportunity to raise much needed funds for this great cause in exchange for a refund of their entry fee. So far our #ratracers have raised over £2million for Children with Cancer UK and we would love for you to join the team to help us chase down that £3million target!
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The funds you raise will be invested into vital specialist research to improve survival rates in children and young people and help more of them ring the end of treatment bell.
All you need to do is set up a Just Giving page here and start your fundraising! You will have until 1 month after the event date to hit your target and then send us the link to your page which will allow us to process your refund. Refunds will be made 2 – 3 months after the event completion date.
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Refunds are not mandatory you are welcome to opt-out of receiving a refund. Should participants opt-out their refund will instead be used by Children with Cancer UK to help fund their research.
If you choose to support Children with Cancer UK and raise £5000, you will also receive:
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A Children with Cancer UK fundraising and training pack
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Regular Children with Cancer UK updates
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A dedicated point of contact at the charity
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A technical Children with Cancer UK t-shirt to wear with pride
For more information on Children with Cancer UK please visit www.childrenwithcancer.org.uk.
Alternatively please contact the Sports Team on 020 7430 7788 or email sports@childrenwithcancer.org.uk.
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Children with Cancer UK is a registered national charity (no. 298405)
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The nature of an adventure is that sometimes, the uncertain becomes certain! That is all part of the adventure. Whilst we will always strive to pull off ‘Plan A,’ it may well be that for any one of a number of reasons, we cannot do so and we ned to wheel put Plan B, C or D. We do line up contingencies for many eventualities of course. But it is worth knowing that the course may change if we deem it prudent for your safety or for other operational or weather-based reasons and we must always reserve the right to do so. Ultimately our skill and judgement in organising such events is part of why you are entering, so we must be able to exercise this on your behalf where we deem it necessary. If we do have to make a route change, we will strive to inform you in good time (if that is possible). Usually, these unforeseen changes simply add to the flavour of proceedings and provide for a good story to tell at day’s end!
Click ‘Buy Event Voucher’ and go through the sign-up process, you’ll then be issued with an event voucher which will automatically reserve you a place in the event you have chosen.
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​Rat Race require you to be over 18 on the day of Registration for this adventure. If you wish to participate as a family group or with a responsible adult and you are 16+, we will consider applications on an individual basis. Please contact us if this is the case.
At Rat Race we are determined to get you on the start line even when life throws up its own obstacles! If you find yourself unable to join us on the start line of this event, you are able to transfer your entry into an event credit voucher once for use on a new entry into an event of your choice, whether that be the same event a year later or a completely new adventure! Transfers must be requested within the qualifying transfer window to be accepted and processed.
Credit vouchers are valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Credit voucher are exempt from the transfer process. To find out more information and how to submit a request, view of full transfer policy HERE
The latest kit list will be sent to you before the event within the Essential Event Information Document.
Of course. If you run for Children with Cancer UK and raise the target amount for this event per person, we will refund your entry fee up to the amount of £2500. You are of course more than welcome to fundraise for any cause close to your heart.
Yes, you can. We welcome support on almost all of our events and if you do decide you want to come and work with us, we will make sure we look after you. Click here to find out more about volunteering for Rat Race.
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We’ve put together a fantastic new instalment plan that allows you to choose how many months you want to spread the cost of this brilliant adventure over. You can pay it off all in one go or spread it over as many months as you like, totally interest free. There is no credit check required to use this facility. When you sign up to the instalment plan Rat Race will then set up a reoccurring payment and your card will be debited on the same date each month. If there is an error with your payment you will receive reminders from Stripe, our payment provider, and also the Rat Race customer service team. After 3 attempts to contact you if the outstanding balance remains unpaid we will assume you wish to cancel your entry and will withdraw you from the event and you will not be eligible to enter our transfer process and no monies will be refunded.
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Add Refund Protect to your booking during purchase and receive a full refund of your entry fee if you are unable to attend the event due to a qualifying unforeseen circumstance. PLEASE NOTE this protection is with our 3rd party partner Refund Protect and NOT Rat Race. In the event you make a refund application this is administered by the Refund Protect customer service team, Rat Race are not privy to the application and cannot intervene on your behalf to influence the outcome determined by their team.
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To check the full list of qualifying unforeseen circumstances that are protected please click here to view Refund Protect terms and conditions.
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To add Refund Protect (administered by a 3rd party) to your Rat Race booking simply select this option when presented during the entry process. Refund Protect cannot be added retrospectively. Rat Race will then send you name and booking details to Refund Protect in order to protect your transaction with them. If you opt to pay in instalments and transfer your entry before the entry cost is full paid you will be liable to ensure the cost of Refund Protect has been fully covered. This total amount will be deducted from any Rat Race credit due through the transfer process or you will be invoiced by Rat Race for the outstanding amount as Rat Race have paid this on your behalf to Refund Protect at point of entry.
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Yes. You need a decent travel policy covering you for general travel and which covers participation in outdoor sports. You will also need what is called an Evacuation Insurance Policy, which is for if we need to send you back to the closest city for urgent medical attention via a helicopter or similar. We also recommend you have this in place as soon as you enter this event and that if you book flights, we highly recommend booking a flexible option for any last-minute changes you might need to make or to ensure you have maximum flexibility if you cannot attend for any reason.
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Travel insurance is compulsory for our events, so please make sure your insurance policy covers the activities you will be participating in. There are a number of specialist providers available including Mann Broadbent.
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Once you’ve signed up, you will receive a confirmation email. After that, you will be kept in the loop closer to the event when we will send out our Essential Event Information approximately 12 weeks ahead of the event, detailing the full itinerary, what you need to bring and other important information relating to the specific event you have signed up for. We will also host webinars which you will be invited to (again, closer to the event), where you will have the opportunity to ask questions and go through your kit. There will be a final email one month ahead of the event, just to check you’ve completed all the important forms and are ready for the event ahead.
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If you have chosen to pay in instalments, we will also get in touch with you if any of your payments have been missed.
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Rat Race have been audited and accredited to the prestigious BS8848 expedition safety standard. We have firm emergency protocols and response systems in place whilst out on our adventures. Our main priority above all else is to keep you and our staff safe. Before we leave for each trip a comprehensive in-country risk and threat assessment has been conducted by the Head of Expeditions. All protocols are put in place relating to those assessments. We make sure that the staff involved have the highest level of first aid training; a higher level of medical cover is also put in place if needed; all instructors have qualifications and/ or competencies to match the adventure we will undertake. In the event of an emergency, Rat Race staff and appointed contractors have comprehensive knowledge of procedures which will rapidly be put in place. If needed, our staff will provide first aid and then further medical assistance and evacuation if needed in line with a published Medical Procedures Plan. We have medical back-up and Clinical Directorship provided by a specialist events medical company and we have further emergency response support services provided by competent contracted partner. All our cover is available 24/7 while operations are underway. We use our knowledge and emergency procedures to provide the best possible care in our often remote and austere environments. Before leaving on a trip, we will advise on the insurance cover you are required to have in place for the trip; we will ask for a copy of these insurance details before the departure date.
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Race entry includes a glorious finishers medal and bespoke event Rat Race tee. We will request your tshirt size and this will be the size you will be given at Registration.
The short answer is no. The price for this event is for everything outlined on the website and it is very difficult for us to split this out. Our accommodation is based on group rates and is on a shared basis. All of our event logistics, support and organisation has been designed to have all the participants in the same locations to allow transfers, briefings etc to run smoothly and to let you bond with your fellow #ratracers!
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​We have designed this challenge so that you may travel at your own pace. See below for our notes on route-finding and guidance. There will also be some cut-offs, but in the true Rat Race tradition these will be generous and we will always look to help you to achieve your goals in finishing this challenge, vs having to pull out. Of course, we will give you some early starts to allow the very best possible window for route completion.
GPX routes will be provided one week ahead of the event, or you can hire one of our GPX watches with the routes pre-loaded for the duration of the challenge. We will also have guides with us during our hike and water safety crew on the raft. Don’t worry – you won’t get lost. But if you do – support is never far away.
​If you need to bail we will collect you via the Sweeper vehicles and move you forwards on the course (subject to medical advice if it is a medical issue that has forced you to pull out).
We will use a mixture of UK Rat Race crew, British medics, foot sweeps and local guides. Extractions are not possible at all points and you may need to hike to get to an extraction point if you need to retire.
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