Who doesn’t love a good race? Watching participants try to be faster and quicker than their opponents, ensuring they’re the first to cross the finish line, is naturally thrilling. Races come in all shapes and sizes, so as long as you have players and a place to compete, it’s sure to be a fun and exciting time.
However, if you are bored of the regular car and horse races, you might find some other races more interesting. Here are five race events from around the world that don’t use cars or horses and are sure to give you just as much excitement.
1. The Great Wall Marathon
While you may have heard of marathons, you might be more intrigued if the marathon is set at one of the Great Wonders of the World. The Great Wall of China, impressive even to regular marathoners due to its full length, thankfully does not require runners to circumvent the entire wall. Instead, a path has been laid out that aligns with regular marathon standards, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be easy. With ups and downs and varying roads to walk along, the marathon will make you realize the sheer scale of the wall and why it was made a Great Wonder.
2. Elephant Races
Maybe you’re tired of seeing the same old horses running around the track, so why not try elephants? These elephant races in Vietnam are rooted in the traditions of the native M’Nong people, who created the Elephant Race festival in the spring. A pair of handlers guides the elephants to their goal, and it is often a raucous success. After the races, you’ll see the elephants happily enjoying themselves, and you can help yourself to the food stalls and loud music of the area.
3. Iditarod Dog Sled Race
Everybody likes dogs, right? Then how about watching them race? The so-called “Last Great Race on Earth” asks its participants in Alaska to traverse the same paths and supply routes that fed into the state during the nineteenth-century Gold Rush. You can feel the passion for the event despite the cold temperatures, as most of the staff running it are volunteers from all walks of life. You’ll have a great time watching the mushers and their teams of dogs traverse this treacherous terrain.
4. Negara Buffalo Races, Bali
If you’re a fan of unique animal racing, water buffalo races might be up your alley. It’s unfortunate that not many tourists watch the water buffalo races in Bali, Indonesia, because they are so much fun. The buffaloes are dressed up with painted horns and fine silks for a parade, which are then removed before they literally run off to the races, reaching top speeds of 50 kph while their jockeys desperately cling on behind them.
5. Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling
You’ve definitely never seen a race like this. Instead of cars or horses, contestants use wheels of cheese, which they roll down a hill. The first one to get themselves and their cheese to the bottom wins. It’s as hilarious as you could imagine, with both participants and onlookers trying their best not to fall on the steep English hill. There’s no guarantee you’ll come out of this event unscathed, but you can be certain you’ll come out of it with a whole lot of laughter.
So, the next time you’re looking for an exhilarating spectacle, consider these unconventional races—you might just discover a new favorite.
