Urban X

'Urban X Challenge' August 2005

Urban X was an Urban Adeventure Race combined with a Aerial Assault Challenge otherwise known as Buildering. The event took place in Manchester, early August and formed part of the 'Rat Race' series. This essentially was an urban Adventure Race which included cycling, running and kayaking with urban challenges inbetween. Events were also held in Bristol and Edinburgh. However the Urban X challenge or 'buildering' is a UK first held in Manchester.
	So what is buildering? We are all familiar with the concept of bouldering....buildering is the urban equivilent but with boulders replaced with buildings retaining walls, stuctures, bridges and literally anything which can be climbed. This is not neccessarily a new phenomenen. In the '80's Johnny Dawes set problems on the Manchester Flyoevr, Mancunian Way. Generations of students have tried, failed and succeded on this ......including myself!
The challenge was to climb a circuit of 12 city centre buildings in as short a time as possible. This culminated in the City Tower at Piccadilly Gardens, 335ft of unrelenting climbing at up to Fr 7c. Not all of the climbers managed this feat with some only attaining 120ft but it was impressive stuff!
	My reason for going was to see friends who were competing in both the aerial assault and the adventure race. The climbing was by invitation only and undertaken by 20 of the best climbers in the UK. A really good day out and looking forward to next years! ....but remeber york has a lot of interesting buildings and structures (ask Laurence about the TSB arete!) Also heard of a variety of problems on the city walls....how abnout a traverse of the underside of the millenium bridge (bit of deep water soloing for you)....maybe not eh! Take a look at the links below and the short film if your after more inspiration!
Take a look at these links for more info and pictures: http://www.ratraceadventure.com/manchester/home.html (Urban X Home) http://www.ratraceadventure.com/home.html (Rat Race Home) This is also a really good short film on buildering: http://www.planetfear.com/includes/video/film/23.wmv ....i can also recommend this one as being v. funny! http://www.planetfear.com/includes/video/film/33.wmv
Rich aka 'Magic'