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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Where is it and when?
The Great Drag Race 2012 will take place in Highbury Fields on June 30, 2012 from midday to 6pm. Race begins at 1:30pm. Here is a map.
Who's behind The Great Drag Race and Prostate Cancer Awareness Day?
Social enterprise The X Foundation and UK charity Prostate Action.
Where does the money go?
All the funds raised by participants in The Great Drag Race will go directly to Prostate Action.
Why drag?
Women have been incredibly successful at mobilising support and drawing attention to their causes – so, with our tongue firmly in our cheek, we would like to emulate that success in the most flamboyant way possible. Drag is one of the oldest forms of entertainment and, most importantly, it’s funny – no matter how badly you do it. After all, we're trying to attract as much attention as possible.
Is it really a race?
Sort of. There will be a trophy for the person to run it the quickest, but it’s not all about who crosses the finishing line first. It’s a walk, a run, a procession, a march – it can be anything you want it to be, as long as you dress up.
Who can take part?
The Great Drag Race is open to men of all ages and abilities. The distance is 10.2km, but we invite the support of everyone brave enough to take part, even if they can only manage the final ten yards. Boys under 16 can take part, but have to be accompanied by an adult at all times.
What about women?
We welcome the help and support of all women but only men are allowed to take part in the actual race. There are hundreds of women-only sponsored fun-runs in the UK but hardly any for men, so this one’s for the lads. But, of course, we invite family and friends to come along on the day and show their support.
Can I enter as part of a team?
When you set up your fundraising page, you will be given an option to enter as team or as an individual, but please make sure that all of your team members register for The Great Drag Race before June 18th if they want to take part on the day.
How do I sign up?
Easy. Click here.
How much does it cost to enter?
A measly tenner. Which is cheaper than nearly all other sponsored fun-runs. The money goes towards the cost of setting up the event, which means that any donations you generate through your fundraising efforts can go straight to the charity.
How do I go about raising funds?
Once you've signed up for the race, you will be automatically redirected to the JustGiving website, where you will need to set up your own sponsorship page. Then all you have to do is promote that page to friends, family and colleagues, asking them to visit your page and donate money online. All donations made through the website will go straight to Prostate Action, who will also receive Gift Aid on most donations. You’ll receive more fundraising tips when you sign up.
How much money do I have to raise?
There is no minimum target, but we are obviously hoping to raise as much as we can. As a little incentive, we'll give you a lovely purple boa to wear if you raise £100 via your fundraising page. Yes, indeed!
How far is 10.2km?
It’s about 6.3 miles, which should take the average man about 2 hours – it’s a walk in the park!
Am I fit enough to take part?
There are no mountains to climb, so if you can walk for about 2 hours then you should be fine to take part in the race.
Do you have any training tips?
There are plenty of tips on diet and training included in your Drag Pack, which will be sent to you once you’ve signed up.
Do you have insurance?
Yes, the event is fully insured with IMS.
Will there be medical supervision?
St John Ambulance will be on hand to provide first aid, should it be needed.
What time does it start?
Participants need to be at the park by noon, to sign in and receive their race number. The whole event, that’s the race and all the great entertainment we’ve got lined up, will last until approximately 6pm. Again, there’ll be more details in the Drag Pack.
How do I get there?
Highbury Fields is well served by transport links. A map and directions can be found here.
Will I be able to park my car?
Yes, but parking space is very limited, so we strongly advise you to use public transport if at all possible (see above for details on how to get there).
What will I have to wear?
We don’t ask for much… only that you wear a flamboyant dress (or blouse and skirt), and a wig - and put on some make-up (at least lipstick) for the duration of the route.
What should I bring with me?
Apart from your drag outfit, we recommend comfortable walking or running shoes (unless you think you can race in heels), sunscreen, water and snacks.
Will there be changing rooms?
Not really. There are a handful of changing tents, but we expect most participants will arrive in costume or will be prepared to change in the open. Just put your dress on, drop your trousers, and off you go!
Will there be lockers for my belongings?
Unfortunately we are not able to provide lockers. There will be a supervised gazebo where you can leave your belongings but we can’t be responsible for loss or theft, so we advise you to leave valuables with friends and family while you are taking part in the race.
What's all this about a world record?
In 2010, we broke the Guinness World Record for the longest line of dancing drag queens. This was achieved during the warm-up for the race and we intend to break our own world record again this year – further details are in the Drag Pack.
What happens after the race?
To acknowledge the achievements of all the participants we’ll have a party afterwards, with speeches, family entertainment, live performances and some special guests.
How do I get a purple boa?
Simple – all you have to do is raise £100 through your fundraising page.
What is your privacy policy?
We will not share your personal information with any third party organisations.
What else do I need to know?
Everything you need to know to prepare yourself for the race is included in - you guessed it – your Drag Pack. So go on, sign up, raise some money, and get your frock on!
About The Event
Taking Part
On The Day
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