Central Rat Race Ìrànlọ́wọ́

Press Kit

Unique Properties

This event aimed at strengthening client's brand identity. In fulfilling this mandate, it was designed as a mini-scene recreation of a corporate ladder from graduates to senior executives in the form of an obstacle-ridden course. It made use of streets, footbridges and walkways connecting with the client's buildings to form 8 legs with obstacles and challenges to symbolize the challenges people face in the business world. Two large-scale fitness games were installed in a form of rat running wheel and rat trap in the heart of CBD for the public to taste the race excitement.

Dimensions & Packaging

Giant inflatable maze with total 42 densely erected inflatable pillars and a 4m x 4m balloon floating overhead (Dimension: 21m x 10m)

2-way inflatable up and down tunnel covered with net (Dimension: 21m x 5.2m)

Inflatable platform with horizontal inflatable rolls fixed on top (Dimension: 11m x 8m)

Tags

charity, race, obstacle, fun, costume, street activity, public activity

Production Technology

Due to safety concern, most of the obstacles were made of giant inflatables, the most significant one was the maze with 42 densely erected inflatable pillars. All were donated to NGOs for good cause after the event. The rat-running wheel and the rat trap were tailor-made to human scale and connected to a digital meter for counting the speed and stroke. The numbers of times the contestant ran and pushed were converted into the amount of charity donations. High technology such as virtual reality and augmented reality was also used in workshops before the race to boost enrollment and add fun.

Design Challenge

The top challenge was safety as the race took place along major roads and inside office buildings. The second was setting up approximately 3000 pieces of props, decoration materials and equipment within 8 hours to avoid prolonged disruptions to traffic.
The time challenge had been overcome by staggering the construction works according to the road closure schedule and seamless collaboration of a 150-crew strong team. To ensure safety, inflatable structures were used. On event day, 400 race assistants were posted to alert participants of potentially hazards.

Research

"Rat race" is an endless, self-defeating, or pointless pursuit. It conjures up the image of lab rats racing through a maze to get the cheese much like society racing to get ahead financially. It is a true reflection of the white collars in Hong Kong. The event was inspired by the "Great Bull Run" in US and the Rat . With the concerns of rapid raise on the mental disorders or stress-caused health problems, this event was designed to raise the awareness of mental health and the vital of work-life balanced lifestyle.

Inspiration

A rat race is an endless and pointless pursuit which conjures up the image of lab rats racing through a maze to get the cheese much like society racing to get ahead financially. The Central Rat Race held at the commercial hub of Hong Kong built on the concept of white collars in pursuit of their dreams among the cut-throat competition of the business world. The charity event raises funds to support the work of mental-illness sufferers, and make use of design solutions to arouse social awareness of the importance of striking a work life balance in a fast-paced city like Hong Kong.

Project Duration

A series of activities celebrating the 10th anniversary was started in Jun 2015, including display of two giant fitness game - a rat running wheel and a rat trap - to promote fitness for all and display of 10 Mr Rat and 10 Jr Rat giant figures. An exhibition of previous races was held at the same place. The kick-off announced the Jr Rat Costume Design Competition for children. In mid-Jun, a press conference launched the 10th Central Rat Race. In Aug, 10 Jr Rat figures were refitted with the winning costume design and to be displayed around. The race was held on 25 Oct in the heart of Central CBD.

Operation Flow

The night before the race, a large part of the CBD had been transformed into a rat-track of some 2.5 km within 8 hours. More than 400 participants dressing up in creative costumes with briefcases crawled under fences and dashed around major gangways and office buildings in the event. The colorful gigantic props, clowns, cheerleading teams, strong upbeat music, live commentaries drew a huge crowd of on-lookers who also joined in cheering the contestants. The result was an exhilarating, yet safe, an event that was as much a carnival as an obstacle relay race, and all for a good cause too.

Image Credits

Photo Credits: Oval Design Ltd., 2015
Video Credits: Oval Design Ltd., 2015