Chariot Race Info
The Chariot Race is an extremely popular event held every year at Bispham, normally during the first weekend in October. The weekend is attended by groups from all over the UK.
The Chariot Race was first run in 1978 and is open to all Scouts aged up to 14 years on the day of the race, and explorers aged up to 18 on the day of the race.
The basics of the race are that each team competes in Saturdays’ qualifier, with the highest placed 20 teams for Scouts, and the highest placed 8 teams (depending on entrant numbers) for Explorers going through to Sundays’ final. Each team must have their own chariot and it must complete the course, but not necessarily in one piece! The racing takes place over a cross-country style course with some obstacles thrown in for good measure, the most intimidating of which is the dreaded pond!
Prizes are awarded for the following:
- Scouts Winner
- Scouts Second
- Scouts Third
- Explorers Winner
- Explorers Second
- Explorers Third
- Chariot of Chariots
- Judges Special Award (Not always awarded)
- Scouts Fastest Course Time
- Explorers Fastest Course Time
The winning Explorers team takes home the Ray Penn Shield, dedicated to Ray Penn, a member of the Site Staff and a Duty Warden at Bispham who sadly passed away in 2003. Ray had helped to organise the race since its inception.
Some images of past races are below.
