FIVE Swindon volunteers will be under starter’s orders to compete in the town’s wacky commuter race tomorrow morning.

A runner, cyclist, car driver, bus passenger and taxi will set off together from North Swindon Orbital in the morning rush hour and head for the railway station.

The idea behind the race is to demonstrate the benefits and disadvantages of using different ways to commute. The race isn’t just about crossing the finish line first, it’s also about evaluating other benefits and disadvantages to each mode; such as calorie burn, productive time, stress levels, cost and safety.

Swindon’s Deputy Mayor, Coun Teresa Page, will be starting the race at 8am, with free breakfasts and prizes awaiting the competitors at the forecourt of the train station.

So – who is your money on? Can the cyclist cut through the side streets to beat the motorised transport? Will the taxi get there first by being completely door-to-door? Will the bus lanes give the bus user an advantage, or can the runner outstrip them all?

You can read more about the runners and racers in Wednesday’s Swindon Advertiser, and follow the action on the day from the Twitter hashtag #rushhourrace and on our live blog.