Alternative Olympics

News, Travel — By Outdoor Adventure Guide on July 16, 2012 at 5:07 pm

The biggest sporting event in the world is relaying it’s way to London, and the Olympic Spirit has rubbed off to Camp OAG. Alas, none of us are exactly world class athletes (though our subscriptions manager throws a mean right hook), so we’ve had to look to the slightly more eccentric means to get our sporting fix this summer. Cue stints of bog-snorkelling and a round of train racing. They might not attract corporate sponsorship, but they sure are Gold-medal worthy.

1. Race the Train

When? 20^th August

Where? Tywyn, Wales

Race 14 miles in the ultimate man-versus-machine battle. The cross country course follows a train across muddy fields and gnarly climbs as contestants try to power past the steam engine.

2. Maldon Mud Race

bog-snorkelling

When? TBD

Where? Maldon, Essex

200 odd runners head into the gloopy mud of the river Blackwater. The first across the sludge and back again wins. The inaugral event took place back in 1973, and has been keeping people in mud glorious mud ever since.

3. Bog Snorkeling

When? 26^th August

Where? Llanwrtyd

More Welsh madness as contestants don their wetsuit and dig out their snorkel for a 120 m of sub-water fun. Alas, there’s no coral reefs to explore in this boggy peat trench.

4. Cheese Rolling

When? TBD

Where? Cooper’s Hill, Gloucestershire

Take one round of Double Gloucester, a steep slope and some dairy-loving adventurers. The first to catch the cheese gets to keep it, along with best bragging rights in the world.

5. Egg Throwing

When? June 2013 (the wait’s worth it)

Where? Swaton, Lincs

If cheese isn’t your dairy of choice, head on down to Swaton, for the World Egg Throwing championships. Accredited by the much-respected World-Egg Throwing federation, contestants battle it out in disciplines such as Russian Egg Roulette and Egg target throwing. Enough said.

(Images: Visit Britain)