Like The Amazing Race...Only Shorter
Recently I discovered a cool event called The Great Urban Race. It's a race held in cities across the country where two person teams compete against each other to complete a set of fun challenges throughout the city.
Consider it a mini-Amazing Race that anyone can join and have fun with!
Consider it a mini-Amazing Race that anyone can join and have fun with!
How Does It Work?
Race rules.
Teams get a list of 12 challenges to complete. Some are mandatory and others optional. The goal is to be the first team to complete 11 of the 12 tasks.
Each challenge is different and could be a puzzle, physical task, scavenger hunt, etc. The rules are loose...basically you can bring anything you want (cell phone, laptop, GPS, etc) and can only walk, run or use public transportation.
Check out the official race rules for more info.
Each challenge is different and could be a puzzle, physical task, scavenger hunt, etc. The rules are loose...basically you can bring anything you want (cell phone, laptop, GPS, etc) and can only walk, run or use public transportation.
Check out the official race rules for more info.
Are There Prizes?
Yes! The top two teams in each city win a cash prize and free entry into the National Championship race in Las Vegas. There are also prizes for best uniform, best photo and family division first place.
The top 25 teams in each city qualify for entry into the National Championship race. The winner of the Championship race wins $10,000!
The top 25 teams in each city qualify for entry into the National Championship race. The winner of the Championship race wins $10,000!
2010 Great Urban Race Schedule Announced!
The 2010 Great Urban Race Schedule
Plan now to run in The Great Urban Race!
1/30/2010 Miami
2/13/2010 Phoenix
2/27/2010 Houston
3/6/2010 Tampa Bay
3/20/2010 Los Angeles
3/27/2010 Austin
4/17/2010 Atlanta
4/24/2010 Charlotte
5/15/2010 Washington DC
6/4/2010 Boston
6/12/2010 Portland
6/26/2010 Madison
7/17/2010 Toronto
7/24/2010 Chicago
7/31/2010 Seattle
8/7/2010 Denver
8/14/2010 San Francisco
8/28/2010 New York City
9/11/2010 Minneapolis
9/25/2010 Philadelphia
10/2/2010 Dallas - Fort Worth
10/17/2010 Normal, Illinois
10/23/2010 San Diego
11/6/2010 Las Vegas - Championships
Have You Run In The Great Urban Race?
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Great Urban Race Photos
A few photos racers have taken along the course...
curated content from Flickr
Tips To Compete In The Great Urban Race
Identify your support team - Ask friends or family who are good at finding information on the web or know a lot about the city to be your on call support team.
Communicate - You'll need good communication with your teammate and your support team.
Solve the clues first - Take time up front to solve as many clues as possible and map them out.
Ask locals for help - Everyone we asked on the street for information or to help us take a picture was very helpful.
Cooperate with other teams - At some of the spots the only people around to take your picture will be another team.
Check on public transportation - Familiarize yourself on subways and bus routes. Check for any scheduled maintenance that could slow you down.
Communicate - You'll need good communication with your teammate and your support team.
Solve the clues first - Take time up front to solve as many clues as possible and map them out.
Ask locals for help - Everyone we asked on the street for information or to help us take a picture was very helpful.
Cooperate with other teams - At some of the spots the only people around to take your picture will be another team.
Check on public transportation - Familiarize yourself on subways and bus routes. Check for any scheduled maintenance that could slow you down.
Recommended Gear
Camera - Other people will need to use your digital camera to take your picture. Bring a small camera that's easy for strangers to use. Make sure it's easy to get in and out of your pocket quickly.
Water - The only water you'll have is what you bring or stop to buy along the way. Get a Camelbak to carry your water easily.
Map - Bring a paper map that you can mark up and plot your course on.
Water - The only water you'll have is what you bring or stop to buy along the way. Get a Camelbak to carry your water easily.
Map - Bring a paper map that you can mark up and plot your course on.
Blog Posts About The Great Urban Race
Read what other competitors are saying about The Great Urban Race...
- The Great Urban Race | Notes of a Nomad
- During homecoming week, my roommate Liz and I did the Great Urban Race. It's like this huge clue/scavenger hunt with hundreds of teams in which you decipher clues and go to various places around town to get the clue sheet stamped, ...
- The Great Urban Race Philadelphia - Phillyist
- Saturday, September 26, the Great Urban Race takes over the town with teams dressed in matching T-shirts, giant clown wigs, and complimentary superhero costumes running around performing all kinds of crazy hijinks. ...
- Arun is Bringing You...Your Daily Remedy
- You can imagine my excitement when my friend Jenny told me about the Great Urban Race in San Diego. Actually, they have Urban Races in pretty much every major city in the country, and the top finishers automatically qualify for the ...
- Raise The Bar: The Great Urban Race: Cheryl Wright
- As some of you know, Susie and I participated in the Great Urban Race in Seattle on Saturday. For those of you not familiar with the race, it is a 1 day race through the streets of Seattle. Similar to the Amazing race on tv. ...
Follow The Great Urban Race
- aka Twitter
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- That's awesome! Nice work! RT @ferriza2: Participated in the Great Urban Race in San Diego! Placed in top 50 teams out of 500! #myyearyahoo
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- @ramckay3 Awesome team name! We look forward to seeing you in Portland!
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- RT @gnuber: Just signed up for @warriordash. Also looking for a partner for @greaturbanrace somewhere on the eastern seaboard.
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- We'll be rockin out at Joe's on Weed on 6/19/10. Hope to see you! RT @JustJenFelice: @GreatUrbanRace Hmm...I'm thinking about it...Chicago?
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- Which city are you signed up for?! RT @danthraxx: ...@BravoAndy and @Danny_DeVito is my idol. Me and @gaumpers going to win @GreatUrbanRace.
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Comments
What do you think of The Great Urban Race? Have you competed in any other events like The Amazing Race?
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- Cyndee Cyndee Apr 27, 2009 @ 9:57 pm
- My partner bagged out on me for fur DC this weekend. Looking for a partner. I can be serious or wacky. I'm athletic but also willing (and secretly hoping) to wear a costume. If interested please post to this blog. Thx!
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- Destiny Welch Destiny Welch Jan 19, 2009 @ 3:22 pm
- Had a great time! I just wish the races were in some order to closeness of states or time frame was spread out more between races! I would love to do all of the races!
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Reply
- Big Wheels Big Wheels Aug 28, 2008 @ 11:11 pm
- Like this? Check out the Urban Assault Ride. Bikes, beer, and big wheels. The ORIGINAL urban adventure race.
by Mac33
The Amazing Race is one of my favorite TV shows.
I ran the DC leg of The Great Urban Race in 2008. We didn't qualify for championships but had a lot... (more)
I ran the DC leg of The Great Urban Race in 2008. We didn't qualify for championships but had a lot... (more)
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