The YMCA Rat Race was back for another day of cheeky cheesy obstacle course race and loads of fun and entertainment at the Captain Burke Park in Kangaroo Point.
Kids and the kids-at-heart once again gathered for the annual YMCA Rat Race, held last 28 October, to outwit and outrun competition as they scamper, skid, and slide across crazy fun-themed obstacles.
Ratty competitors tackled the 16 challenging obstacles such as the Rat Trap, Drowned Rat, Cheese Balls, Tunnel Rat, Be Amazed, and Ratatouille Rebel plus ten brand-new “Wild Cards”, while they protected their giant, inflatable cheese from pesky Pest Patrols.
The adventure started at Captain Burke Park, as participants looped around, along the top of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs, and down past Story Bridge to finally finish the race back in Captain Burke Park beside the Brisbane River.
To make this event an all-out fun family affair, this year, both 4-km and 8-km courses were opened to anyone aged 7 and up. The fun did not stop at the finish line, though, as participants were treated to live entertainment, wine, and cheese at The Village Festival.
The event was aimed to raise funds for the school children feeding program of YMCA, which now provides breakfast to 106 schools across South East Queensland or about 500,000 breakfast a year.
“Too often children from disadvantaged and dysfunctional families are not given breakfast or even lunch – and find it very difficult to concentrate in class. This significantly impacts their ability to learn and absorb information affecting their grades. Consequently, their self-confidence suffers along with their health,” the YMCA website said.
In the next five years, the YMCA aims to provides breakfast to more than 200 schools and educate school children on good nutrition and empower them and their families with the skills and improve their food choices at home.
