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CHOOSE TO FUNDRAISE FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND EARN A REFUND ON YOUR ENTRY FEE. FIND OUT MORE.

WIND YOUR WAY THROUGH A WILD AND RUGGED CHUNK OF SPAIN, INTO THE HEART OF IBERIA'S MOST FAMOUS MOUNTAIN AREA - THE SIERRA NEVADA.

A spectacular 2 day foot journey that connects the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea with the summit of mainland Spain’s highest mountain and the highest mountain in Western Europe outside of the Alps – Mulhacen.

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DISTANCE: 

53 MILES (85 KM) ON FOOT
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SLEEP STYLE: 

HOTEL AND 
MOUNTAIN REFUGE
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LOCATION: 

MULHACEN, SPAIN
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DURATION: 

5 DAYS /
4 NIGHTS

DIFFICULTY RATING: CAN I DO THIS?

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This adventure is for anyone with a decent level of hiking fitness.

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

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ACCOMMODATION

4 nights accommodation / hotel and mountain refuge.

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GUIDES AND SUPPORT

Professional mountain safety, medical and welfare staf.

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SAFETY

Professional local and UK safety  staff, medics, drivers, route safety staff and Rat Race experts on hand throughout. Audited and accredited to BS8848 expedition safety standard.

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ALL MEALS

All meals included as standard.

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TRANSFER POLICY

AFlexible transfer policy up to 12 weeks before your departure.

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EXTRAS

High quality medal, rat rag and premium t-shirt for all participants.

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YOUR TRIP LEADER:
Abbi

Your leader for this trip is Abbi
 she's our highly experienced Expeditions Manager with more than 10 years of exploring under her belt.

RAISE £2500 AND GET YOUR ENTRY REFUNDED

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MORE INFORMATION:

This beast racks up a whopping 4500m of vertical height gain over an 85km route that winds its way through a really authentically wild and rugged chunk of Spain, into the heart of Iberia’s most famous mountain area – the Sierra Nevada.

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This is a full-on assault of mainland Spain’s highest mountain, Mulhacen, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada and the highest mountain outside of the Alps. Our route goes from the Mediterranean Sea to the summit of the mountain, packing in a whopping 4500m of vertical gain over a 85km route. It really is a monster. But so, so rewarding in a very wild, raw and authentic corner of Spain. This really is a spectacular undertaking carried out over ‘2 days up, 1 day down,’ but not one to be taken lightly in any way. Conditioning for distance running or trekking and for mountain hiking or running is essential. 

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​Ascend from sea level to the summit of mainland Spain’s highest mountain, Mulhacen (3479m) on a route that takes you from the sea, through an incredible dry river bed and into a stunning and rather ‘committing’ gorge. You then continue your ascent onto beautiful trails and tracks through beautiful olive and citrus groves in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, before coming face to face with the mountain itself, where we make our final ascent into the Sierra Nevada National Park from Spain’s highest village, La Trevelez. You will overnight in the village in cosy hotel accommodation, before making your summit bid the next day and then descending to our cosy refugio for food, rest and big beers! After a hearty meal and a very good night’s sleep, the next day you will hike out and finish your adventure down in the valley, before taking onward transport for some R and R, sightseeing and celebratory food and wine in the spectacular city of Granada. Relax and toast a job exceptionally well done with a full view of the sun setting behind the Sierra mountain chain stretched out in front of you, in full view beyond the world-famous Alhambra.

DAY ONE: THURSDAY

 

You will arrive into Malaga airport for our RV at 1200 (or overnight in the local area and meet us back at the airport). We will the transfer the team to La Rabita on the Coast (2.5 hrs drive) and check into our hotel by the beach, right by the start-line. You’ll be glad of that in the morning, given the early start! Registration, dinner and briefings (and hopefully an early night!)

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ACCOMMODATION: Beach-side  Hotel with twin rooms
MEALS: Dinner

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DAY TWO: FRIDAY

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There’s no way to say it other than it’s an ‘Oh My God O’ Clock’ start at 0200. This will allow us to avoid some of the heat of the day in the lower elevations and we will commence in the cool calmness of the early hours. We will start from Playa La Rabita and ascend via a dry river bed and an absolutely stunning and exhilarating gorge, (where you will need to use one or two ropes to pull yourself through some narrow sections!). We then ascend out of the gorge and connect with quiet roads and trails to finally reach La Trevelez. These trails will be challenging, less travelled and dusty. The main ascent is planned to take place in the cool of the early morning but it could still be 15 + degrees C when we set out. We have 43km to cover today and it will feel like you have earned every single kilometre at days’ end! A good meal and some rehydration in the village will set you up nicely for day 2: To the summit!

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ACCOMMODATION: Cosy mountain hotel with twin rooms
MEALS: ‘Grab n’ go’ breakfast, Pit Stop support whilst on the route, dinner in la Trevelez

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DAY THREE: SATURDAY

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Another early start will see us start at 0400 from La Trevelez in the cool of the early morning and ascend to the refuge, 1000m below the summit of Mulhacen, enjoying daybreak up on the peak as we ascend. At the refuge we will jettison some of our gear at the refuge and you can refresh with food and fluids prior to the summit bid. It’s still a hard slog from here on ever-incresingly steep trails, before we top out on the high-point of Spain and the highest point of Western Europe outside the Alps. From there, we will descend on a slightly different route, back to the refuge for a hearty meal, some beers and a great night’s sleep.

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ACCOMMODATION: Mountain refuge with dormitories. Hot showers available (for small surcharge, payable at the refuge)
MEALS: ‘Grab n’ go’ breakfast, packed lunch and other snacks (distributed before we leave the hotel), Pit Stop support at the refuge, hot dinner at the refuge.

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DAY FOUR: SUNDAY

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Rising early (but not as early as previous mornings!) we will descend to the small mountain village of Capileira and connect with our transport to head to Granada. Plan A will be to head into town for a celebration meal and a beer or two in the evening or perhaps a lively glass of Spanish Rioja or Tempranillo, and lashings of Iberico ham and chorizo sausages, for which the area is rightfully famous.

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ACCOMMODATION: Hotel with twin rooms
MEALS: Hearty refuge breakfast, packed lunch, dinner and a round of drinks on us in Granada!

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DAY FIVE: MONDAY

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We will have breakfast and the transports will leave at approximately 1000 to return to Malaga airport for those who wish. Or you may choose to remain in Granada or the local area and soak up the attractions of this stunning part of Spain.

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ACCOMMODATION

We will use a selection of good hotels, plus a very nice mountain refuge. In all locations, your accommodation is inclusive within your entry fee.

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Hotel and B and B accommodation is always offered on a double or twin room basis. If you are taking part on your own, you will be paired with another participant of the same sex in a twin room. At refuge the accommodation is in mixed dormitories.

BREAKFAST

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Brekky will vary with our location day-to-day. When we are stating early (which comes part and parcel of such an epic journey!) then we will provide ‘grab n’ go’ materials – pastries, fruit, porridge pots, yoghurts and other simple items that you can either eat before the off, or take with you on the initial portion of the route that day. When we are staying in hotels and guesthouses, we will endeavor to provide cooked and continental options in line with the hotel’s standard offerings.

DINNER

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We will typically eat at the hotel we are staying in, or a close-by local restaurant. In the refuge, dinner and breakfast the following morning will be served at set meal times at the refuge. At all times, Rat Race will provide a hearty main course. If you wish to augment with other selections in the restaurants, you may do so. You will settle the bill for your own drinks. On the final night in Granada, the first round is on us!

MEALS

PIT STOPS

 

During the challenge you will have access to our Pit Stops multiple times throughout the ascent. These will have a minimum of the following available:

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Water – Ensure you leave with water bottles and bladders filled so you have enough to get you to the next Pit Stop.
Sports Ration Pit Stop Bars – Yummy flapjacks.
Sports Rations Isotonic Energy Drink.
Salty snacks 
– such as crisps and peanuts.
Savoury treats – We will feature sandwiches, savoury pastries and other goodies at selected pit stops, around lunchtime
A fruit option – Either oranges or bananas.
Sweets – such as Haribo and Skittles.
A variety of sandwiches, pastries and cakes.
Hot drinks 
will be provided at selected Pit Stops subject to forecast weather conditions.

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Our Pit Stops are there to help supplement any personal sports nutrition plan you may have – if you use gels and other such products – you should plan to bring these with you. If you have any special dietary requirements then please also plan for this and pack your kit accordingly. Rat Race aim to offer Pit Stop snacks that are tasty and functional, catering to as broad a mix of needs and diets as possible. We have options available that are suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets and availability of this will depend on demand. If peanuts are served these will be in individual portioned bags to reduce the chance of contamination but Rat Race cannot guarantee that the food does not contain contamination from allergens such as nuts or gluten in its preparation or serving.

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Please make sure you sanitise your hands prior to eating any food. Please, please, please take care with your trash and help us in our aim of leaving these incredible islands tidier than we find them. This is even more critical in this environment, with any lost trash instantly becoming a choking hazard for the marine life we are here to admire. 

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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.​

Getting to the start line is important and we are there to help you as best we can. However, if you feel on reflection that it is just not your time yet, we do have a transfer system that you can use to transfer out, receive Rat Race credit and come back again next year or do something else. Credit is typically valid for 12 months and there is a fee to be paid for transferring out in this way. We want to be really clear that this option is there for you if you need it, but it does have a deadline. View our full terms and conditions 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.

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.

 

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 t-shirt 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! You are welcome to arrange your own accommodation if you wish but this will not result in a reduction in the event fee from us, you will also then be responsible for ensuring you are at our meeting points at the arranged time and we will not be able to transport you to and from your own accommodation, you will need to be able to do this independently.

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No problem. Where we use hotels, rooms are offered on a twin / shared basis. If you wish to share with a fellow participant, you will be asked to add this information to your event participation from which we will issue you with approximately 12 weeks ahead of the event.

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Unfortunately for this style of event, we cannot accommodate any supporters.

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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 are giving you some VERY early starts to allow the very best possible window for route completion. But, if you need us and if you need to abandon the route for whatever reason, we are there for you. The absolute key is that you enjoy this amazing journey from sea level to the very roof of Spain at your own pace and within your own limits.

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We want you to concentrate on the views and the hard work of putting one foot (or pedal) in front of the other. So we don’t want you to be staring at maps or navigational aids any more than you have to. The route will be way-marked in places, with some assistance from our staff and some signage and static marshals in the trickier sections, (and in the early morning dark sections).

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We will also be asking you to download a route file that you will be able to download onto your smartphone. You will follow this ‘line’ when on foot and can use this as a back-up at all times. Don’t worry – you won’t get lost. But if you do – support is never far away.

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We will use a mixture of guides, waymarking, pit stops and support vehicles (lower down the mountain) to support you at intervals by our mobile ‘pit stop’ team. Once you get higher, we will use set points to support, such as the refuge. We will also have our local guiding and safety team on the mountain. We will have multiple vehicles at our disposal, plus multiple staff members, snacks and drinks to distribute. So, if it does get too much, if you overheat, get too cold, need sustenance, motivational support or otherwise, we should be able to assist. You are in good hands.

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It starts in a dry riverbed which is dusty, rough in places and fairly hard packed in others. Then comes the gorge, which is surreal and exhilarating in equal measure. You will then transition to local tracks and minor roads, which pass through stunning Spanish farming country, before hitting ‘the trail’ which takes you up and into the Sierra proper. On the upper reaches of the mountain, the going is good on firm and well-defined trails. It is rocky in places of course – it is a mountain after all!

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This kit list is from our 2023 event - you will be notified of any changes to this list ahead of the event you have signed up for.

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General advice on heat

The heat of the day at lower altitudes can be fierce, so a wide-brimmed sunhat, sun-cream and lightweight and breathable fabrics (ideally with SPF protection) are to be used. Of course it will be dark for a good portion of the lower sections on day 1 and on day 2, but it likely still to be warm. As the sun comes up, sunglasses with at least Cat 3 protection are required. As we ascend, the cover will become less so we will be exposed to the relentless sun, especially as we rise above the treeline high up on the mountain. Mulhacen is a fairly exposed peak in that respect. Temperatures can drop as we climb higher and we will find ourselves in a high mountain environment where layers, full leg cover and hats and gloves could be required. It is a fairly unique beast in that respect! Hot, cold, wind, dust, lots of varying conditions. All in one outing!

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The beauty of the support afforded by the vehicles in the lower stage of the trip on day 1 means you can take what you need for a lightweight day and then change into your ‘high mountain’ gear for day 2. We will therefore offer the opportunity for a kit change at the overnight at Trevelez from your lighter-weight gear inti ‘high-mountain’ attire. You can also change out of sweaty clothes into fresh ones, so don’t be afraid of bringing some extra stuff if you do tend to be the sort of person who gets drenched in sweat just by stepping outside in such conditions!

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Do not underestimate how much the heat will take out of you. Even if you think you ae going well lower down, as soon as that sun comes up, it’ll start sapping energy. You really do want to ensure you have mas sun protection and keep taking on fluids and salts.

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You WILL need trekking poles. You WILL need a fairly large daypack (up to 30l advised – NB this is for the mountain on day 2. You can get away with a much smaller ultra vest or similar for the run/ trek stage on day 1 – so bring both). You WILL NOT need a sleeping bag as we will overnight at the refuge where bedding is provided, but you WILL need something like a sleeping liner, (or a very lightweight sleeping bag will suffice) for hygiene in the refuge. With early starts both days you will need some extra insulation layers as well.

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For your feet, we would advise trail running footwear for day 1 and then for the high mountain section on day 2, a boot would do for this, but breathability and mobility are also bonuses. Our advice (in an ideal world) would be high-topped trail running footwear/ lightweight boots with ankle support, for the mountain. Wear these OR a separate pair of trail trainers earlier in the day. You will get a chance to switch footwear, clothing and of course backpacks before we set out on the high-mountain trekking stage.

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THE KIT LIST

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DAY 1: RUNNING OR LIGHTWEIGHT TREKKING BELOW TREVELEZ

  • Trail running footwear

  • Shorts

  • T-shirt

  • Ultra vest or small daypack

  • Bladder or bottles/ soft flasks

  • Hat – cap or wide brimmed are fine

  • Socks

  • Ankle gaiters (optional)

  • Scooby snacks of choice. 

  • GPS handheld device capable of following (phone with viewranger App recommended – see below)

  • GPS watch is optional

  • Headtorch, waterproof to IPX7 standard, minimum 150 lumens + spare batteries or second headtorch.

  • Salt tablets and dissolvable electrolytes for water are mandatory. Please bring salt tablets and some electrolyte mix for drinks. You will 100% need these on this trip

 

DAY 2: TREKKING/ MOUNTAIN STAGE TO THE REFUGE AND THE SUMMIT ABOVE TREVELEZ

  • Trail running/walking footwear or lightweight boots – ideally with ankle support

  • Spare evening footwear, such as Crocs (if you want – not essential – footwear for the refuge is issued to you at the refuge for indoor use)

  • Trail running/walking apparel – lightweight trekking trousers, technical wicking tee/ base layer, long-sleeved wicking layer, mid-layer (e.g. microfleece)

  • Waterproof upper body and leg cover (yes, waterproofs, however unlikely it may be that we use them) 

  • Buff or similar neck gaiter, and sun hat/cap

  • Gloves

  • Spare base and mid layers

  • Socks

  • Blister care kit

  • Bivvy bag 

  • First Aid kit (small personal kit with a triangular bandage, steri strips and an adhesive dressing as a minimum) 

  • Water bottle, and/or cup OR Hydration system for rucksack – BUY HERE

  • Trekking poles

  • Headtorch, waterproof to IPX7 standard, minimum 150 lumens + spare batteries or second headtorch. 

  • A rucksack that is sized to hold this kit + camping + food. We are suggesting 30l but ultimately it’s up to you. If the gear fits, the bag is OK! 

  • Due to other accessories a rucksack with expandable features and straps is very helpful. Your call

  • Dry bag is always very useful for general gear storage/ organisation/ protection.

  • Ditto small zip lock bags (especially for doing your business and disposing of toilet paper on mountain)

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REFUGE SLEEPING KIT

  • Sleeping liner

  • Ear buds if you’re a light sleeper (for the mountain refuge)

  • Personal toiletries and medication

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GENERAL

  • Casual clothing for use in evenings at hotels and transit stages – you will be able to leave a second ‘overnight’ bag with us when you depart on the route, in the support vehicle so you have warm/ spare/ casual/ dry clothes available when we interact with the support vehicle, so you do not need to carry this with you at all – see below where we reference the ‘vehicle bag’

  • General ‘secondary’ bag (holdall, duffel) for spare kit

  • General trekking trousers and robust outdoor footwear are recommended just given the type of destination

  • Towel – travel micro towel or full-size

  • Bandana, Buff or similar

  • Multitool or penknife

  • Reading material

  • Power bank for mobile phone

  • International plug adaptor

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IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES FOR THE EVENT THIS WILL BE COMMUNICATED IN THE PRE-EVENT DOCUMENTATION

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Carrying this kit is a requirement of the Event and forms part of our planning in ensuring reasonable measures are put in place to keep you safe should anything go wrong during this adventurous endeavour. We ask you not to take short cuts or ‘second guess’ our advice. For instance, the carrying of waterproofs is required even though this is a tropical environment, as these items can prevent cooling down too fast if you get injured in a location that is very exposed to wind or when it is raining heavily leading to more rapid cooling. Remember you may be very tired and sweaty, and weather can whip up pretty quickly in the Tropics. So we need you to respect the kit list at all times.

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The emergency kit is important for several reasons:

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1.            It helps you to help yourself should you have a problem.

2.            We are in this together and you may need to assist others if they have a problem.

3.            In the case of an incident our Event Control and safety teams will make decisions based on the knowledge that you all have this equipment.

4.            Carrying the kit is a requirement for everyone and hence provides an equal and fair challenge.

5.            It is part of our risk assessment process that is shared with insurers. Your insurance may be invalid if you do not follow our advice.

6.            If your lack of kit preparation contributes to making an incident more serious, then you may be avoidably drawing resources from our medical team and the emergency services at the expense of others.

7.            Without the kit you will be unable to complete registration. If during the race you are not carrying the mandatory kit then you will be disqualified and deemed to have not completed the challenge.

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GPS

We intend for you to follow ‘the line’ at lower elevations on a GS-enabled device as a back-up to our waymarking and stewarding. Our suggestion here is a mobile smartphone with the Viewranger App loaded onto it and the GPX files attached uploaded onto it (or any other App that can open GPX files). Reality is, the route-finding on this one is not very hard at all with the suite of resources we will be deploying. So don’t worry about it. But having the GPS with you and following ‘the line’ is always handy and will give you a sense of progress along our route anyway.

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Bags

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There are 3 bags to be considered for this journey.

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1.) General ‘overnight’ bag (recommended: Holdall or duffel) for spare and general kit. Please go for a MAXIMUM size of around 60 litres and no more than approx 15kg pls. This bag will go forward from the hotel at the start to the hotel in Trevelez and then onwards to the final hotel in Granada; so you will not see this bag until you arrive at those locations. We will store it for you while you are on the mountain.

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2.) Daypack or running vest. This is the bag you will carry with you on Day 1 from the coast to trevelez. It should contain the mandatory kit, spare clothes, food and water. When you get to Trevelez, you can swap it with…

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3.) Mountain backpack. This is approx. 30l and will have your mountain clothing, mandatory kit and items required for the overnight at the refuge.

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KIT THAT WE WILL NOT BE USING/TAKING

  • Helmets, ropes and climbing gear.

  • Our highest technical grade of ground will be trekking.

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TRAINING

 

For an undertaking of this nature, it’s a lot of foot travel and some significant vertical gain in mountainous country. Remember, it is not a race. If you have a good base and plan for success in doing the distance and being on your feet, you’ll be fine. Slow and steady. A robust endurance base is what you need, not speed or heroics. Run and hike, and, if you can, gat a good few longish mountain days in.

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General fitness and endurance will carry you through; and a good propensity to dealing with weather, whatever that may throw at us. Go at your own pace, front up to several hours of vertical gain and train to that. And you’ll be OK. Know your limits and enjoy striding out and taking on this stunning objective. It is not a race.

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Pricing
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All prices are in GBP. An admin fee of 2.99% will be added to all payments. Price shown in the monthly payment when you sign up in June 2023.

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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. 

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"The Rat Race team were brilliant throughout. Very efficient, supportive, and helpful. 
I had not been to the Sierra Nevada before, and it was a stunning location. Tough as the paths were less used and therefore rougher than in, say, the Alps."

"The event was excellent, the whole team a credit to Rat Race. 
Spain is not as easy a “sell” as Greece - Mulhacen isn’t as well known as Mount Olympus.  The event is tougher, and the setting stunning.  I really enjoyed Spain and will promote it with friends"

"Excellent trip and one I would highly recommend. It was my first trip with rat race and I will definitely do more."

Charity
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RAISE AT LEAST £2500 FOR CHILDREN WITH CANCER UK AND GET 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 £2500, you will also receive:

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  • A Children with Cancer UK fundraising and training pack

  • Regular Children with Cancer UK updates

  • A dedicated point of contact at the charity

  • 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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