Beat the Boat

Beat the Boat comes to Tower Gardens on Sunday 4 October, a 2.7km riverside race for people aged 50 and over. It's part of the 50+ Festival, and the start is at Kings Staith, so you'll be running along the banks of the River Ouse. The whole thing is put on by Age UK York, and all the money raised goes to them.

The race has a bit of a twist: you're not just running against the other entrants. A passenger boat full of cheering supporters follows the route, and the runners are racing against it. City Cruises describes the Ouse as the city's oldest landmark, and that's the scenery you'll be taking in as you go.

One thing that sets this apart from a standard race is how the winner is decided. It's not about who crosses the finish line first, but about an age- and gender-adjusted percentage. That means an 83-year-old has the same chance of winning as a 51-year-old, and you can go at whatever pace you like rather than feeling you have to sprint to keep up. It's designed so you can just enjoy the riverside scenery and the company.

The race is part of Age UK York's national 'Act Now, Age Better' campaign, which encourages people aged 50 and over to stay active and look after their health and wellbeing in later life. It's a local event they've come up with specifically for the 50+ Festival, so it's got a bit of a community feel to it.

It runs from 10:00 to 11:00 on the morning of Sunday 4 October, starting from Kings Staith at Tower Gardens, YO1 9SA. Entry is £10 for runners, and you'll need to be 50 or over to take part. If you'd rather cheer from the water, spectator boat-cruise tickets are also £10 and include unlimited tea and coffee.