The University of Hull’s Energy & Environment Institute is to sponsor the UK’s first city-centre urban obstacle course as part of its drive to improve the flood resilience of businesses and homes in the region, making sure people are better prepared.
The Hull-timate Challenge, which takes place on October 20 and 21 is the brainchild of the Living With Water partnership, consisting of Yorkshire Water, Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the Environment Agency.
The aim of Living with Water is to help build a more resilient Hull by looking at ways to reduce the risk of flooding.
The course consists of a 10k street event and more than 30 obstacles, taking in everything from the high street, The Deep, Museum Quarter, Humber Street and the Old Town.
The Hull-timate Challenge will be accompanied by the Humbrella Family fun day, which will form a trail around key parts of the course providing advice and active participation games to thousands of members of the public.
The Energy and Environment Institute is sponsoring a giant “take-off” slide, nicknamed ‘Humbergeddon’ which will be outside Hull Minster.
Professor Dan Parsons, Director of the Energy and Environment Institute at the University, said: “Hull and the Humber is the second most prone region in the UK. There has been a lot of work done to minimise the risk, but the risk will remain.
“We have a significant amount of expertise within the University around the issue of flooding and its potentially disastrous consequences. Our work helps communities predict, prepare for and recover from flooding so when our region is on high-alert once again, they can respond with resilience. It make sense for us to support the Living With Water partnership and the exciting work they’re doing to engage the public in the challenges and benefits of living in our region.