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While perusing the Docklands website for a great place to eat, I chanced upon a great urban competition that will appeal to the adventurers-at-heart. Called the Rat Race, it’s the first time the race has left Britain and competitors wil, over two days, challenge themselves both physically and mentally. As a thrill-seeker and and outdoor junkie myself, I was thrilled. From the website:

Coming to Australia for the first time, the Rat Race sees competitors running, biking, climbing, 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, Manchester, Belfast and Edinburgh, and 2008 sees the inaugural Melbourne event.

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The Melbourne Rat Race will take place on 22nd and 23rd November 2008 and will be based within the exciting event hub at Waterfront City, Docklands. Partners include Waterfront City, Ausway, 2XU high performance clothing, Volvo, Bicycle Victoria, East Coast Kayaking and IDQ Australia. The race will see people ranging from the ultra fit adventurer to the weekend warrior office worker taking to the city streets in a race that will see them scaling city landmarks, kayaking around the docks, abseiling tall building and cycling, jumping and free-running across Melbourne.

Entry for the Melbourne Rat Race is offered at an early bird price of $135 per person. Entries close on 20 November 2008. All competitors receive a high performance race shirt, sponsor product and Rat Race merchandise. All equipment is provided, however competitors must have their own bicycle and helmet. Full entry details, training tips and further event information can be found at www.ratraceadventure.com ^[3]

Images from waterfrontcity.com.au and ratraceadventure.com

The author, a MTB enthusiast, is also looking to form a team of three to join the competition. If you’re keen and can’t think of anyone (gasp! lol) drop him a msg.