Rat Race Adventure Sports Reviews 

Great company. I’ve done 3 trips so far. Their adventures are just that, adventures. Don’t expect comfy hotel stays or massages. But they test your limits in a safe manner. I’m proud of myself when they are done.

Gold Rush Test Pilot
The trip didn’t start well as Air Canada cancelled our flight and we arrived three days later than planned. The Rat Race team took this in their stride, picked us up at the airport and slotted us seamlessly into the event. We missed two days of hiking on the Chilkoot Trail but still had an amazing adventure cycling on quality gravel bikes for two days before jumping into canoes on the River Yukon for six days to reach our final destination of Dawson City. The test pilot format means you travel in a small group with like minded folk. If you’re looking for a proper adventure book yourself onto one of the test pilot trips and help shape a future bucket list adventure.

A truly epic and tough challenge across a breath-taking country. At points we could have been on the moon! (Or in Lord of the Rings...)
Stunning views carried me onwards (and upwards) and I don't think I will ever experience mountain biking in the same way (until another Rat Race event may be...)
The weather was at times, brutal. Head winds, rain and it was cold. Expect it to change - frequently and go prepared. Also be prepared to keep grinning as nearly every turn brought something new to take your breath away and make it all worthwhile.

Training for it has also been an adventure - and if you want to experience as much of the biking as you can, follow the Rat Race training guides and get the hills in!!

The crew were incredible. Supportive (you could 'boost' forwards if you needed it) and they were on hand 100% of the time, reassuring (without being intrusive), encouraging, good fun, friendly, patient, professional ... I could go on!

I have done Rat Race events before and have always enjoyed them. This adventure surpassed my expectations and I am now reflecting on new friendships, personal achievements and just how wonderful hot Ribena actually is!

Thank you Rat Race. Will definitely see you again!

Iceland coast to coast. Predominantly MTB but half day kayak (grade 2-3rapids) and final day big hike over volcano. All weathers will happen (expect fierce headwinds!).

Big country views throughout. Deserted lunar landscapes to mountain glaciers amidst lava fields before descending back into green gorges and wondrous waterfalls.

37 multicultural participants and 13crew. One nights camping, a couple of refuges and a few hotels. All fine - recovery was tricky but the mood was great throughout. Fully supported and ‘Boosts’ to aid coverage were a must (for me!).

My abiding memory is of an epic - at times unforgiving - country and fabulous camaraderie.

Enjoy it!

Fantastic trip to Iceland to do the coast to coast. Super super tough event but with the rat race crew alongside, you never feel unsafe. Great organisation and just the right balance of support to enable you to create your own level of suffering. The energy and hard work of the crew is amazing. Thanks guys planning our next one already.

Taking part in the Iceland Coast to Coast was an unforgettable experience 🌍🚴‍♂️. The landscapes along the route were absolutely breathtaking — at times I felt like I was riding through the set of The Lord of the Rings 🏔️🌋. Towering mountains, vast open plains, and dramatic skies made every kilometer feel surreal 🌌.

It was definitely a challenge 💪 — the course itself was demanding, and the wind 🌬️ and rain 🌧️ did not make it easier. But that only added to the adventure, and in the end, it was completely worth it ✅.

A big shout-out 🙌 to the organizers, who were incredibly supportive throughout. From logistics to on-the-ground help, they made sure we could focus on the ride and enjoy the journey.

If you’re looking for a unique challenge set in one of the most stunning landscapes in the world 🌎✨, I can’t recommend the Iceland Coast to Coast enough.

I had to withdraw from my booked event in 2024 and did so 2 months prior to the event date. I received a link that did not work, but had planned to rebook for the same event in 2025.
I visited the stand at the Running Show to find out what was happening and she said it was best to call and they’d sort it. At the time I had just sprained my ankle so wasn’t able to train. Since then I’ve suffered with a frozen shoulder which required steroid injections and the rehab has been slow. So I’m not fit to be able to take part this year. I don’t want to put myself or event team members at risk by not being safe to attend. When I looked for a phone number there is no number, and when I emailed I was told the code (that I never received) has expired.
I can’t log into my account as it has been moved and am presently over £350 out of pocket. I am not a charity able to just gift a random company that amount of money.
I would have no issue with them retaining some kind of fee but to simply take £350 without providing any kind of service or product is downright unethical and goes against government guidelines regarding appropriate fees to be withheld on cancellation.

I would never trust this company and will never recommend them as it’s clear that their attitude towards safety and refunds when there are issues is appalling.

I’ve been Rat Racing for more than 12 years now and they have never failed to deliver a brilliant event and experience. Last weekend I took part in their inaugural 100 from Bamburgh to Edinburgh. The route was absolutely incredible, the pit stops as brilliant as always, and the supporting crew just what you need - especially at 4am after 70+ miles! I would always recommend a Rat Race event to anyone.

Wow. What an experience. Land’s End to John o’Groats over five amazing weeks. Fully supported by Rat Race’s incredible event directors and volunteers, nothing to concern ourselves with other than getting from A to B.
If you take on this adventure you can rest assured you will forge an unbreakable bond with the people you share it with. You will support each other and be supported every last step of the way. You will see some of the most amazing scenery, in places it will be so stunning you are likely to be moved to tears. You’ll also see far more of the M6 than anyone needs to see, but rough with the smooth, right?
It’s pretty much guaranteed that doing this event will change your life. The feeling and emotion as you cross the finish line is unlikely to be even close to anything you’ve experienced previously.
This event really lives up to Rat Race’s mantra of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Absolutely fantastic trip and a real challenge with the terrain, river crossings, tropical downpours with steep ascents and descents that were just incredible. Loved every second of every day an amazing island that lived up to and exceeded my expectation for primordial tropical rainforest steep volcanic slopes and pristine wild rivers. A really superb trip put together by RatRace and I will be looking to book more of their adventures in the future as well as to return to Dominica at some point to explore more of this amazing island.

Having completed the Sea to Summit expeditions in Spain and Greece, I was keen to venture further afield and joined the Test Pilot event for climbing Mt Fuji. It was an incredible experience that provided cultural Japan at its finest, a challenging event that was achievable with breath-taking views at the summits of both Mt Asama and Mt Fuji.

Before the event began, Rat Race provided pre-trip information which provided a good insight to the challenges ahead, what would be included throughout the expedition including meals provided and transport along with a more indepth itinerary of each day. I asked a few questions about the event of which was responded to in a timely manner.

The event was led by Abbi and James who led with great enthusiasm, motivation and professionalism that allowed for this trip to exceed my expectations and achieve the goals of reaching the summit from sea level.

Our challenge took us through a variety of landscapes and allowed for Japan to be seen in a more unique way, outside of just the normal tourist accommodation and activities providing a wonderful experience, surpassing expectations. Nothing will beat the views experienced throughout the event and photos taken do not do them justice.

These events are perfect for both groups of friends travelling together and solo travellers, like I was. You are made to feel at home from the minute you arrive and included throughout the whole itinerary.

Rat Race, Abbi and James provided a truely amazing expedition from beginning to end and I look forward to completing further events with them in the future. I cannot recommend highly enough!

The teacking system used for the Wall 2025 was diabolical. Absolutely useless

In a world where people can simple pay for a veneered service masquerading as real adventure, Rat Race stands out as the real deal where you actually DO have a true adventurous experience. I participated in the Cyprus multi-day test pilot program which had impeccable organizing, incredible professional staff, unforgettable experiences, some of the best hotels I've stayed in (wholly unexpected), constant food & drink, clear communication, and a community energy that can only stem from a mission driven company dedicated to their craft. This 165km Cypriot route was not easy and it will be rated near the top of their difficulty scale, but the staff made it a breeze despite having never done this one before, it was a true feat of professionalism & support. Don't waste your time with other providers, Rat Race goes far above and beyond.

Having been on several Rat Race trips, I was keen to try out a test pilot, which my husband & I experienced in New Orleans.

I would classify this trip at the easier end of their portfolio. It wasn’t the prettiest or most challenging of trips, however it scored highly for culture and Creole experience. Never before have I been in a bar full of people when the only females were either serving drinks or with Rat Race!
The accommodation was alongside a runway, which was also the local road & fish cleaning station. The Mississippi was a short distance away.

The kayak on the first day was a tale of 2 half’s. The first an easy paddle in the Mississippi delta. There were lots of birds, cows & the occasional pair of alligator eyes. However it could have been prettier as it goes past an oil refinery. The second half was more like paddling in the open sea, but the finish point was visible, just a few miles away.

We had the option to cycle on the levee or the road. However being 32 degrees of direct heat, the road was the easier decision. This continues into the second day, when we cycled on the highway, but the traffic was very accommodating & so much more considerate than UK cycling. We ended with a short run along the Mississippi & a ferry which brought us right into the French Quarter.

The contrast between the fishing community in the South & the buzz of music & jazz could not be more different. And the excuse to experience both, whilst kayaking, running & cycling was certainly worthwhile.

In being a test pilot, our equipment was ‘the best available’ but I understand may be upgraded if this becomes a listed trip.

So on balance I would classify this as an easy entry point into a multi-day trip. It is a really great reason to experience the people of the Deep South & the great Jazz which is available at ‘Maison Bourbon’ on Bourbon Street.

Having completed a couple of the 1 day international events previously (Santorini and Malta, both fantastic and would highly recommend) I had no doubt the multi-day Croatia would be awesome just on a bigger scale. The Rat Race team are super - everything’s well thought out and executed, from the hotel and transport logistics to the pit stops and support from the core team and fantastic medics on event. The routes are gorgeous, delivering exactly the right level of challenging but completable with fantastic scenery to help you forget about the sting of the ascents! The crews on event are always supportive with a big smile and a hug if needed, and go out of their way to ensure you have what you need even before you know you need it. Definitely recommend one of their events whatever your sport or experience is - great way to see somewhere whether you’ve been there before or not, and perfect for solo travellers - you’re never alone on a Rat Race event.

Croatia 2025 was without doubt the most epic and brutal event I've done. But it was also 3 days of brilliance. We were looked after, supported, and really cared for by the Rat Race team and Trailmed medics. It must have been a logistical nightmare, but it was pretty smooth the whole time. The scenery blew my mind and the other Rat Racers were gorgeous human beings too. As super slow person at the back, I never felt that I wasn't an important participant - I was as cheered on as the super elite fit ones. Such an amazing way to celebrate becoming half a century. Very much looking forward to Galapagos in 2026!!

I'd known it would be great before I went, as I'd had feedback from previous attendees, but I was still blown away by this amazing experience - I struggle to find the superlatives to do it justice.

It was a gentle start for the first few days, getting settled in and pushing through the admin and preparation, but oh boy did it ramp up from the adventure truly kicking off on Day 3, with a gorgeous 50km run on the stunning island of Korčula. Attendees completed the route in between 4.5 and 12hrs so it's quite the feat for Rat Race to manage the difference paces and abilities, which they did each day with aplomb.

Day 2 was SUP, Bike, and Run. I suffered a broken chain within 5km which could have really ruined my day, but the support team were out to me rapidly and I was on my way (on a brand new bike) efficiently and rapidly! I was able catch up and even had time for a cheeky beer near the end of the final run section. (This was beaten by a pair that stopped into a vineyard and came in with a bottle of wine in their hydration vest!)

Day 3 was Kayak/Run/Kayak and the day I found the toughest. 90% of people got around unaided, but sea kayaking was brand new for me and ~32km+ was a challenge for my lack of upper-body strength and technique! Once again the support crew came up trumps and towed us forward when needed, so that we could finish with the others :)

Overall I'd give the experience 9.5/10. Sometimes there were little niggles where I'd think "I'd have preferred this" or "This would have been better for my adventure" but on an adventure with 50 other individuals there's always compromises and I think they were more than fair.

The crew that made it all happen were brilliant and worked even harder than the participants to make sure we had an epic time, so thank you to them all :)

One day after getting home I booked 3 more Rat Race trips so that tells you all you need to know ;)

This is a very scenic point to point journey along the Dalmatian coastline, from the western edge of Korcula Island to the historic old city of Dubrovnik. It's a 3-day challenge that's both satisfying and rewarding, yet tough enough to be a real challenge.

The day one 50k ultra was a glorious traverse of continuous hills and vineyards, interspersed with bays and coastal paths, to end back in Korcula Town. From there on day two, we crossed to the mainland by SUP, ahead of a very hilly 66k cycle ride through vineyards and mostly quiet roads, with one particularly rewarding coastal and winding downhill after exiting a short road tunnel. The day ended with a thigh bursting walk along the steep ancient city walls of Ston, followed by a brief run to Broce, before being shuttled to that day's hotel.

On the third and final day, we returned to the previous day's finish point to continue our journey, this time by sea kayak. A tough - even in calm seas - 14k paddle to the island of Sipan allowed you to then stretch your legs with a fast 6k run across the island, to a seaside cafe for lunch. From there it was another kayak paddle, this time of 18k, to a beach in the heart of Dubrovnik to finish. Don't underestimate the kayaking, especially if you're not used it. After two hard legs days, this was one to fully test your arms and shoulders.

The organisation and support for this event was pleasingly very good, with the staff all keen to keep you fully informed and organised. The administration for the accommodation - so nice to have good hotels - and transport was smoothly efficient and you could see where your money was being spent. It was reassuring to have professional medics as part of the staff team, as much for their humour as any advice or practical help some may have needed, and also local guides for the water stages.

We had perfect weather throughout, sunny and warm but not too hot. There may have been a slight chill in the evenings if eating outside, but the days were all t-shirt weather. Do spend a few extra days before or after the event, if you can, to enjoy Croatia further. You won't regret it.

2025 Croatia Multisport, what an Adventure. Thank you Kate for your leadership and encouragement, all the rat race staff and medics were outstanding. Incredible organisation from start to finish and the support along the way is amazing. We will definitely be booking another trip 🥰 just might bring my bike next time or at least my seat 😉

I did the Mongol 100. I had an amazing experience. Abby and her largely female crew were professional, warm and approachable. I highly recommend this event. I have been raving about it to everyone I know. I did whinge to Abby (apologies) when I saw the tents set on the actual slippery ice but, I now look back at it as a "once in a lifetime thing"