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Running a bath took on a whole new meaning thanks to a bizarre race on the slopes of Switzerland today.
The annual spectacle in Stoos sees daring participants donning fancy dress and jumping into a bath tub as they race to the finish line – situated at the bottom of the mountain.
Organisers helpfully state that ‘insurance is the responsibility of the participants’, though the sturdy tubs are thankfully solid enough to help competitors to their destinations largely intact.
Now in its 11th year, the race sees teams of three or more hurtle down the slope with the fastest to make it to the finish line being crowned winner.
Although competitors do not need to bring their own bath tubs they are expected to turn up in fancy dress.
This year’s participants dressed as pigeons, gnomes, firemen and even Teletubbies.
The tradition started by accident after a plumber unloading his van let a customer’s new bath tube slip out of his van and across the snow.
Enthralled by the idea of the bath tub as an improvised bobsleigh, the plumber told his colleague and the two men came up with the unique race.
Eh oh: Participants dressed as Teletubbies took part in the annual bath tub race in Stoos, in central Switzerland, on Saturday
It’s a slippery slope: The annual spectacle sees participants donning fancy dress and jumping into a bath tub
Monster ride: Teams of three or more hurtle down the slope in the hopes of making it to the finish line in the fastest time
Ride on time: These smiling participants, wearing matching green outfits, seem to tip on their side as they go down the slope
In a bit of a lather: This group of four friends dressed as lumberjacks seem to be enjoying their moment in the race
The tradition started by accident after a plumber unloading his van let a customer’s new bath tube slip out of his van and down the mountain slope
There’s no place like gnome: These conspicuous participants kick up the snow as they make their way down the mountain
Fire power: This group of three men dressed as firefighters enjoy the moment in their bath tub in Stoos, Switzerland
Although competitors do not need to bring their own bath tubs they are expected to turn up in fancy dress
Organisers helpfully state that ‘insurance is the responsibility of the participants’, though the sturdy tubs are thankfully solid enough to help competitors to their destinations largely intact
Spot the difference: These leopard-wearing participants are gunning for glory down the slopes of Stoos in Switzerland
Animal magic: Participants dressed as a pigeon and a dolphin were among those taking part in the bizarre race
Ready, steady, snow: These participants use their bath tub as an improvised bobsleigh to make their way down the slope
Smiles on the slopes: The unusual annual race has become a well-known spectacle in the mountain town
Hat’s the way to do it: A trio of participants close their eyes as they make their way along the track at breakneck speed
