Race2 the Finish: Tash Leads the Way to Budapest
Interviewed by Ana Sunjka
Ana: Can you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your role as the director of Race2?
Tash: I’m Tash, the co-coordinator of Race2. I work alongside Martha, and together we’re in charge of running the race this year. We’ve just chosen our location: Budapest. We handle all the logistics, making sure everything runs smoothly and, most importantly, that all the racers stay safe.
Ana: For those who might not be familiar, can you briefly explain what Race2 is all about?
Tash: Sure! Race2 is a charity hitch-hike. Participants are dropped off in teams of two or three in a random city in Scotland, and their mission is to hitch-hike to a random location in Europe that we’ve selected. The goal is to spend as little money as possible on travel. Accommodation is allowed but only if it’s necessary for safety.
Ana: How does the charity aspect of Race2 work, and how do you ensure participants raise as much money as possible?
Tash: Each participant has to raise £200 a week before the race begins. They can raise the money in any way they choose, whether that’s through donations from family or fundraising events. They also pay a £75 racer sign-up fee, which covers things like t-shirts and accommodation. The money they raise goes directly to Raisely, a charity account, so participants can’t touch the funds themselves.
Ana: Do you choose the charity, or is it chosen by the university?
Tash: The university elects three charities each year. This year, the charities we’re supporting are Alzheimer’s UK, Richmond’s Hope, and SolidariTee.
Ana: What’s your favorite charity that Race2 has supported over the years?
Tash: I’m a bit biased, but I’d say the Wave Project, which we worked with last year. I’ve actually volunteered with them myself, so it was awesome to partner with them for Race2.
Ana: What measures do you have in place to ensure the safety of participants during the four-day hitchhike?
Tash: Safety is a top priority. Every four hours, participants need to send us a message with their location using a specific app that gives us their exact coordinates. The app has been updated to automate this process, but it’s not a live tracker. If they don’t check in every four hours, we follow up. We’re monitoring everyone 24/7 to ensure their safety.
Ana: What’s the best tip for surviving the four-day hitchhike, and how do participants keep their energy up during the race?
Tash: My best tip? Just have fun. The people who have the most fun tend to have the best stories afterward. Don’t get too caught up in the destination—enjoy the journey!
Ana: What’s the biggest challenge participants face during the race?
Tash: Definitely getting stuck at service stations. It happens a lot, especially in Germany. Some people get lucky and hitch a ride quickly, but others can end up waiting for hours. I remember some teams being stuck for as long as eight hours!
Ana: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to Race2 participants this year?
Tash: Hang in there! It might be long and challenging, but it’s a lot more fun than you think. The key is perseverance.
Ana: What’s the craziest or most unexpected story you’ve heard from participants during the race?
Tash: Oh, the fish van story was hilarious! A team had to ride with frozen fish the whole way, and they couldn’t get the smell out of their clothes afterward. Gross, but funny!
Ana: How do you handle emergencies during the race?
Tash: Last year, we had a bit of a scare. A ferry from Dover called us saying, "Six of your racers are missing; we think they’ve gone overboard!" We were panicking. It turned out they had gotten into a car and didn’t tell anyone, so they were logged as foot passengers who had "disappeared." It was a chaotic moment, but we’re always prepared to respond quickly. Communication is key—just keep us posted!
“We’re reminded every year how kind people are.”
Ana: What’s your favorite memory from organizing this year’s Race2?
Tash: My favorite moments are always during the safety shifts from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. It’s tough, but the committee really bonds during those hours, and we’re all so delirious it becomes hilarious.
Ana: What’s the funniest or most creative way someone raised money during Race2?
Tash: Last year, there was a team that did a pint challenge—every time they raised £10, they had to drink a pint while walking to Dundee. It was pretty creative!
Ana: What’s the most unexpected mode of transport a team has used to get to their destination?
Tash: It’s probably that fish van. Definitely the most memorable one.
Ana: What’s the funniest costume you’ve seen someone wear during the race?
Tash: The banana costumes! There’s a team known for dressing up in full banana outfits. It’s become kind of iconic.
Ana: How do you think participants feel when they arrive at the finish line?
Tash: Exhausted but super happy. It’s such a fulfilling moment to finally reach the end after all that effort.
Ana: What’s the best part about leading a charity event like this at St Andrews?
Tash: It’s heartwarming to see how kind people are. Participants always receive so many donations and help along the way. It’s a reminder of how generous people can be.
“Be resilient. Things will go wrong, but they always work out in the end. Just keep going.”
Ana: As the director of Race2, how do you go about budgeting for an event like this?
Tash: We have a finance officer, and the union approves the budget, so I don’t handle that directly. I leave that to the experts!
Ana: How do you select the mystery destination each year? Are there any limitations or criteria you consider?
Tash: We have a set radius in Europe that we can choose from. We try to pick a location that isn’t too close or too expensive, and it has to be relatively tourist-friendly. Last year, Copenhagen was great but a bit too expensive.
Ana: How do you manage to keep things organized when so many teams are traveling to different destinations across Europe?
Tash: Tracking is key. The website helps a lot—it alerts us if someone hasn’t checked in or is falling behind schedule.
Ana: How do you decide where to drop the teams off initially?
Tash: We consider the cost and try to pick a location where participants won’t guess. We also make sure it’s somewhere random and early in the morning to add to the surprise factor.
Ana: What’s the one thing participants need to know before setting off on Race2?
Tash: Keep us updated! Communication is key, especially when it comes to safety. As long as participants check in regularly, we can ensure everything runs smoothly.
Ana: What’s the one thing you absolutely cannot forget when preparing for Race2?
Tash: The yellow t-shirt! It really helps attract attention, which can be crucial for hitching rides.
Ana: What’s your biggest takeaway from organizing Race2, and what advice would you give to future directors of similar charity events?
Tash: Be resilient. Things will go wrong, but they always work out in the end. Just keep going.
Ana: What was the first year you got involved with Race2, and what drew you to it?
Tash: This is my third year on the committee. My academic dad was involved, so I joined in too. Funny enough, I’ve never done the race myself! I just thought it was cool and wanted to be part of it.
Ana: What’s your vision for the future of Race2?
Tash: I hope it continues to grow. It took a hit during COVID, but we’re working to get it back to its former glory—and hopefully even bigger.
Ana: What’s your favorite previous destination—Prague, Copenhagen, or Valencia?
Tash: I really liked Prague. It was affordable, easy to get around, and the people were so friendly.
Ana: Is this the furthest you’ve ever gone with Race2?
Tash: Yes! We did Budapest in 2015, and we’re going back this year. It’s the furthest within our allowed radius.
Ana: Which European city would you love to see as a future Race2 destination?
Tash: We’d all love to go to Italy, but hitchhiking is illegal there, so it’s a no-go for now. Hopefully, one day!
Ana: If you could hitchhike to anywhere in the world, where would it be? No radius!
Tash: Thailand! It would be an amazing adventure.
Ana: What’s the first thing you think about when you hear “Race2”?
Tash: The yellow t-shirt!
Ana: If you had to describe Race2 in three words, what would they be?
Tash: Adventurous, fun, and creative!
Ana: What’s the first thing you do after the race is over?
Tash: Shower! And then we party and celebrate.
Ana: What does the winner get?
Tash: It changes every year. Last year, it was a gift voucher for St Andrews, but this year it’s a mystery—I can’t reveal it just yet!
Ana: If you could participate in Race2, who would be your dream teammate?
Tash: Probably Martha, since she’s done it before and we work really well together.
Ana: What’s the one moment from this year’s Race2 that you can’t wait to experience?
Tash: The end of the race, when everyone’s there together. It’s such a relief to see everyone safe and having completed the challenge.
Ana: How do we sign up? When do the sign-ups open, and what are the key dates we should know?
Tash: Sign-ups are on the 29th of October at 601. You’ll need to form teams of 2-3 people, come up with a fun team name, and you’re good to go! The actual race takes place during vacation week in March.
Ana: Thank you so much, Tash, for sharing all these insights about Race2. It’s clear that a lot of thought and effort goes into making this event both safe and unforgettable for participants.
Tash: Thank you, Ana! It’s been great talking about Race2 with you. I can’t wait to see everyone at sign-ups and to kick off another amazing adventure to Budapest. If anyone’s on the fence, I promise it’ll be an experience you won’t forget!
Image Courtesy of Race2.
All views expressed in this article are the author’s own, and may not reflect the opinions of N/A Magazine.
Posted Friday October 18th 2024.
Edited by Ana Sunjka