Extreme races and obstacle courses are something of a growing phenomenon in Britain, with endurance events like Tough Mudder taking place all over the country.
On Saturday Manchester velodrome plays host to Urban Attack, a new indoor assault course run by ex-S.A.S and Team GB that aims to be as much fun for spectators as it is for participants.
A 5k fun run at 1.30 will kick off the action before the competitive action starts after the evening’s entertainment spectacular and MM caught up with Urban Attack co-founder Rob Edmund, an ex-Special Forces member and TV trainer on The Biggest Loser, to find out more.
He told MM: “We’re taking obstacle racing into a more spectator friendly and more competitive model with fast-paced action. Our races are short and indoor, like an Olympic heat format.
“There will be a number of races that we will grow throughout the country. There will be different venues, but we’re looking at urban areas and bringing in different elements.”
The event will make use of the National Cycling Centre’s BMX track with its five-metre hill start and undulating course with the addition of monkey bars and tunnels to trip up participants.
Edmund promises Urban Attack will be engaging for the crowd with a number of special guests and celebrities providing entertainment in the 2,000-seater venue.
He said: “There are singers, DJs, strong men, gladiators and exhibitors. In total we’ve got 20 or 30 Olympians, commonwealth athletes, and celebrities from TV and radio.
“We’ve got Mark Felix from The World Strongest Man doing a celebrity tug of war, Leon Taylor the Olympic diver from Splash!, GB track cyclist Becky James, and Ross Edgley GQ writer and model.”
Edmund believes his own experience in Special Forces along with the connections of his partner Dave Readle (Commonwealth Games athlete for Northern Ireland and performance psychologist for GB cycling) can help develop the brand.
“It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world,” said Edmund.
“There’s lots of different elements to it now, we recognised there is a big niche in the market which we thought we could fill.
“I’ve done a lot of obstacle races for real in the Special Forces, the real crazy ones. People have been asking me for a number of years when I was going to put one on so it was just logical that I did my own.”
Images courtesy of Urban Attack via Facebook, with thanks.
