Runners ready to face obstacles in city race

For many, the idea of running 10 kilometres sounds like a challenge.

But at the city’s Mens’ Health Survival of the Fittest Race, participants will go the distance in the face of obstacles including a giant inflatable water slide and strategically placed road works.

The event, organised by RatRace Urban Adventure Series and the magazine Men’s Health, takes place on Sunday afternoon.

Among those taking part is Allan Ramsay, 36, an events organiser from Leith, who said: “They keep obstacles on the race pretty secret until the day.

“I entered last year – you had to dance like a badger near Chamber Street and they had a disco in the Innocent Railway Tunnel. It’s really good fun.”

Jim Mee of RatRace Urban Adventure Series said: “It’s an event designed to get people to test themselves in an urban environment. And a lot of people raise money for charity.”

A number of roads will be affected by Sunday’s race.

Parts of Lawnmarket and the High Street will be closed from 7am to 2pm.

Waiting, loading and unloading will be prohibited on parts of St Giles Street, Cockburn Street, New Street, Regent Road and King’s Stables Road and entirely at West Parliament Square and Parliament Square from 4am to 2pm.

Two-way traffic will be maintained on New Street between Calton Road and East Market Street from 10am to 2pm, but runners will use one of the lanes.