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Chariot Race

Teams take turns pulling one rider at a time — perched in a wheelbarrow or sled — down a marked course, trading places with a high five at each swap spot. It works because pulling someone is its own kind of trust exercise, and everyone takes a turn being carried and a turn carrying.

15–30 min7–16 peopleAverageSleds/wheelbarrows & chalkIn-person only
By Jon Zajac · Founder & Chief Icebreaker · Last updated February 19, 2024

What is Chariot Race?

Chariot Race splits a group into teams, each pulling one rider at a time — perched in a wheelbarrow or sled — down a course marked with chalk. Riders swap out at marked spots along the route, but only after high-fiving the next teammate in line; the race ends once every rider on a team has taken a turn and crossed the finish line.

It works because nobody just watches. The rider calls the pace, and the pullers do the actual work of getting there, so the two halves of the team need each other the whole way — and the swap-out rule means every single person takes a turn at both jobs before the race is over.

It's built for a group with real space to run and the physical ability to pull or be pulled — a gym, a field, a long hallway. Skip it for a tight indoor space, and for any player with mobility limits, swap in the cushioned-mat or foam-block version from the tips below instead of ruling them out.

The rules

  1. Split into teams of 3–4 pullers, plus one rider per team in a wheelbarrow or sled.
  2. Chalk marks the finish line and the swap spots along the route.
  3. The rider can only switch out after high-fiving the next teammate in line.
  4. Every teammate takes a turn as the rider before the team can finish.
  5. Running a winding path? Give each team's arrows their own chalk color.
  6. First team to get every rider across the finish line wins.

Before you start

  • Group size: 7–16 players, teams of 3–4 plus a rider. Bigger groups just mean more teams racing side by side — the format doesn't change.
  • Space: an open, safe area for chariots side by side. A field, gym, or long hallway works, as long as there's enough width for every team's wheelbarrow or sled to run without crowding.
  • Materials: sleds or wheelbarrows, chalk. Chalk marks the finish line, the swap spots, and — if you're adding a winding path — a separate arrow color per team.
  • Optional toga theme. Sheets make quick togas. Secure every one with a clamp or safety pin, then do a tug check before the first race starts.
  • This one's in-person, not remote. It needs real space and real chariots to pull — plan for a field or gym, not a video call.

How to run it

  1. Gather materials beforehand

    Line up sleds or wheelbarrows as chariots, chalk for the course, and — if you're running the toga theme — sheets and clamps or safety pins.

  2. Divide into teams and mark the course 3–5 min

    Split into teams of 3–4 pullers, each choosing a wheelbarrow or sled. Use chalk to mark a finish line and the spots along the route where riders will swap.

  3. Explain the rules 1–2 min

    One pass covers it: pull your chariot to each marker, and the rider can only switch out after high-fiving the next teammate in line.

  4. Choose the first rider 1 min

    Pick the lightest teammate to start. Have them balance their weight, or lean slightly forward, to cut resistance.

  5. Race to the finish 5–10 min

    Pull to each swap point, high-five, and switch riders — repeat until every teammate has had a turn in the chariot. Sled teams do better tying the rope around the puller's waist. Follow the arrows if you drew a winding path.

  6. Call the winner 5–10 min

    First team to get every rider across the finish line wins. Run it again — trading roles is half the fun.

← everyone pulls, everyone rides.

Facilitator tips

Show it, don't just say itA quick walkthrough of the swap spots lands faster than a verbal rules recap, especially with this many moving parts.
Swap in adaptive gearCushioned mats or foam blocks work as chariots for players with mobility limits or injuries — same race, safer ride.
Keep the toga theme optionalSheets-as-togas are a fun add, not a requirement — offer an alternative costume if the theme doesn't fit everyone in the room.
Explain it in plain languageSkip the jargon when you brief the group — "pull to the mark, high-five, switch" covers the whole game in one breath.

Why it works

Communication happens mid-sprintA puller has to call out the swap before the mark, or the handoff stalls the whole line — this game makes early, clear communication the only way to keep moving.
Leadership rotates with the rideThe rider directs; the pullers execute. Everyone gets a turn calling the pace and a turn following it, in the same few minutes.
Trust, literallyBeing pulled means trusting the people holding your handles — a more physical version of the trust every icebreaker is chasing.
HELLO, MY NAME ISJon

"I like Chariot Race because pulling someone to the finish line makes teamwork physical — everyone takes a turn being carried and a turn carrying. The toga theme dresses it up without costing anything extra, and the tug check before the first race is a small step that keeps the game safe as well as fun."

Jon Zajac · Founder & Chief Icebreaker

Reflection questions

These go beyond the race itself — a few minutes of debrief turns the sprint into an actual conversation about teamwork.

  1. What was your experience being in the "chariot" versus pulling the chariot?Gets at how the two roles feel different — being carried versus doing the carrying.
  2. Did you notice any effective strategies used by other teams during the game? If so, what were they?Encourages people to notice what other teams did well, not just their own race.
  3. How did communication play a role in your team's success or challenges during the Chariot Race?Names communication as the thing that actually decided the race.
  4. What did you learn about yourself as a team player through participating in this icebreaker?A self-check on strengths and blind spots as a team player.
  5. How might the lessons learned from this icebreaker apply to real-life situations or projects where collaboration is required?Draws a line from the race to actual collaboration back at work.
  6. What was your favorite part of the Chariot Race, and why?A morale question — gets the group ending on the parts that landed.
  7. If you could change one thing about how your team approached the Chariot Race, what would it be?Opens the door to constructive feedback for next time.

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Jon Zajac

Founder & Chief Icebreaker

I started IcebreakerSpot because I believe strong connections are the foundation of successful teams. This site exists to make it easy to find and share the icebreakers and team-building activities that build trust, spark collaboration, and help groups do great things together.

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