COMPETITORS taking part in the Stockton River Rat Race will be lining up at the start at the weekend.

On Saturday, more than 1,000 participants will swim, wade, crawl, climb, jump, splash and run around an urban obstacle course over a 5km or 10km distance before taking on the infamous jump off the HM Bark Endeavour ship.

The Riverside Event Village is a great place for spectators to cheer the runners on as well as there being a bouncy castle and climbing wall on offer to keep children entertained free of charge.

Councillor Norma Wilburn, Stockton Borough Council’s cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, said: “The River Rat Race is an extremely popular event and the feedback we get each year is simply fantastic. It is a real spectacle so I’d encourage groups of families and friends to head down to Stockton to sample the atmosphere and also make a day of it by visiting the independent shops, upmarket bars and eateries as well.”

The Riverside event village will be open from 9am.