Sun, Dec 9 2007 - THE AMAZING RACE! (View Original Event Details)
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WOW! What an amazing day for an amazing race! Over 50 people turned up this morning to take part in a fun filled day of deciphering clues and solving puzzles on the streets of Calgary. As the temperature climbed to a beautiful +2C everyone made their way to the Talisman Centre where they were split into teams of 4. After a brief period of instruction at the bleachers overlooking the pool, teams made their way outside and into Lindsay Park for a few group photos. Each team then selected one member to participate in the kick off task which consisted of searching the trees around Lindsay Park for strategically placed Christmas tree ornaments. When found, ornaments were brought back to the starting line where they were exchanged for key information required to complete the race. Within no time all teams had dispersed into the streets of Calgary to begin solving their puzzles.
A few volunteers then drove around the beltline area to snap a few photos and monitor the progress of the racers. We were treated to some funny moments such as catching some teams attempting to sabotage others by covering up key landmarks with snow etc. Too funny Blake (and Laurel) ha-ha busted! We saw several teams running up and down streets in all different directions solving puzzle questions along the way. Once teams completed their first puzzle they had to unscramble key letters to form a phrase that would direct them to their next stop (Max Bell Arena). Teams arrived at Max Bell by C Train with the exception of one group who ended up somewhere in Okotoks before realizing they were off track! (ok maybe not Okotos but close enough) At Max Bell teams performed their first road block task which required them to count the light fixtures throughout the arena. Several teams got it on their first try while others required several attempts.
The second part of the race required teams to travel from Max Bell to Sunnyside C Train Station to solve clues within the Kensington area. Getting to Sunnyside was a little trickier than normal as the C Train was shut down along 7th Avenue due to maintenance work. Teams eventually made their way to Kensington and unscrambled key letters of their puzzle solutions to discover their next stop would be Riley Park. Here teams had to complete an obstacle course blindfolded while being guided by a fellow teammate. This task also provided some good laughs. Once completed, teams were finally given the secret location of the finish line “Kilkenny Pub” in Brentwood and the race to the finish was on! 4 teams managed to board the same train to Brentwood and when it pulled into the station chaos erupted! It was every man for himself when the doors swung open! Try to imagine 16 racers bulldozing their way off the train, flying down the platform, over the pedestrian overpass, down the street, through the parking lot and into Kilkenny Pub. It was a fantastic finish with 4 teams arriving within seconds of each other. UNBELIEVABLE!! I wish I could have given them all medals for their fantastic effort and awesome enthusiasm.
In the end it was “The Bald & The Beautiful” who crossed the finish line first barely beating out Connolly’s Angels. CONGRATULATIONS Daryl B, Jenn M, Brent K and Sandy R for winning my first ever Amazing Race! The Bald & Beautiful team members were presented with stylish first place medals and a complimentary meal for their efforts. Many thanks to Karen, Ken & Steve for your help and support with this event, I couldn’t have done it without you!
PS If anyone bumps into Marvin, Elda, Lynda and Barbara please let them know the race is over…..