09.02.18
Big Rail Diversity Challenge 2018: Exciting details announced
The first details of this year’s Big Rail Diversity Challenge have been revealed and it’s safe to say the 2018 edition is set to be more thrilling than ever.
Last year saw the RTM team attend the second edition in what is quickly becoming Women in Rail’s flagship event, where teams with a 50/50 gender split compete in a range of dynamic and unique physical and mental challenges.
The 2017 version – described as a mix between ‘It’s a Knockout’ and ‘The Krypton Factor’ – had attendees from across the industry competing in everything from zorb football and duck herding to blindfolded Land Rover racing and a quad bike obstacle challenge.
This year things look to have been raised to another level, with the addition of the Escape Room, Pitch Perfect, Bounce Volleyball, and something called Crazy Lasers – which sounds especially exciting.
While networking and team-building within the rail sector are important, the key to the event is Women in Rail’s message that gender-balanced teams perform better, and can show the clear benefits of diversity across an industry that has historically struggled with equality.
Adeline Ginn, founder of Women in Rail, explained: “The Big Rail Diversity Challenge is an important step in the rail industry agenda.
“It openly seeks to disprove one of the most destructive myths in professional life: that women and men cannot work effectively together. By engaging both men and women in equal measure, we have started to tackle gender imbalance head on and create a more attractive, productive and successful industry in the process.”
Following last year’s success – with over 450 people attending – 2018 will see the event return to Peterborough Arena on 7 June 2018.
Organisations supporting the challenge include the British Army Royal Engineers, RAF, Railway Benefit Fund and Railway Children, providing challenges which involve teams navigating inflatable obstacle courses with a cup of polystyrene beans, traversing a course upon a bike made for seven (with a blindfolded driver), and building shelters using items commonly found on the streets.
For more information on the event and details on how to enter a team, visit the event’s website here.
Top image: Jack Boskett