Madness reigned on Micklegate today as the beautifully bonkers soapbox challenge returned.
Sponsored this year by the York Bid, the Micklegate Run Soapbox Challenge saw 43 teams take to carts of all shapes and sizes vying to be the fastest.
With fairground rides on the bridge, and a food and drink area close to Micklegate Bar, there was a party atmosphere all day, that even occasional drizzle couldn’t dampen.
And it proved remarkably competitive. Each team had two goes at the run, starting on the steep launch ramp near Priory Street, hurtling down the cobbles, round the bend, over the jump and to the finish line.
Right to near the end, any one of about ten teams were still in with a chance.
And then there were the carts built not for speed but for sheer daftness. Like The Grand Hotel’s double bed, the Micklegate Monster featuring an (almost) real dinosaur, and the York Hub’s Mr Funny shoe car.
The winner was a three-wheeled coffin steered to victory by the York Dungeon on behalf of homeless charity SASH York.
York Maze won one for ‘Joker of the Day’ and the Friends of Scarcroft School were the sponsor’s choice. And another brilliant day was had by all.
Busy day working and then we caught the finals of @theyorkbid Micklegate Soapbox Challange!
Great atmosphere, saw lots of people… or should we say people saw us first ?, lovely cuppa and two soapbox crashes!! (Everyone was ok!)#york #micklegaterun#soapboxchallenge pic.twitter.com/vuMeWQXQhI— Indigo Greens (@Indigo_Greens) August 27, 2018
Great afternoon at The Micklegate Run. @MicklegateRun @MicklegateBI pic.twitter.com/3FRiS04D21
— Hudson Moody (@hudsonmoody) August 27, 2018
We’re here @theyorkbid @MicklegateRun!
We’re 7th on the run sheet which should only be about 30 minutes away.
Go #TeamMinster and Gary the Gargoyle! pic.twitter.com/kuLAPwKFSe
— York Minster (@York_Minster) August 27, 2018
#Thisone #Jacksparrow #SoapboxChallenge pic.twitter.com/6V31AAxyKM
— CAG Photography??? (@MadCowFudge) August 27, 2018
The Autohorn Micklegate Run Soapbox Challenge @VisitYork @MicklegateRun @yorkpress @theyorkmix @MadCowFudge #MicklegateRun #Soapbox #Challenge #york pic.twitter.com/38AUwhdvGc
— Lewis Outing (@LewisOuting) August 27, 2018
More manic #MicklegateRun action from @FOScarcroft pic.twitter.com/dULrhCc97W
— The York BID (@theyorkbid) August 27, 2018
Congratulations to @LegendWare on another successful #MicklegateRun #york. Fantastic fundraising for @CR_UK. If only Sonic was driving the soapbox pic.twitter.com/nZeWE4126K
— BrightLime (@Bright_Lime) August 27, 2018
Our view of the #MicklegateRun #soapboxchallenge pic.twitter.com/sQLgM3VQhI
— Popworld York (@PopworldYork) August 27, 2018
#MicklegateRun #MicklegateSoapboxChallenge today! With @magicgonad pic.twitter.com/6FUMDiVJnl
— Natalie Eaglen (@Natalieeaglen) August 27, 2018