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...
- CrossFit 10 » Monday
- April 17, 2010 - The Great Urban Race. Details can be found HERE May 22, 2010 - We are gathering as many people as we can to participate in the Warrior Dash in May. We are signing up for the noon time slot. Details can be found HERE ...
- 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. ...
- Run, Théoden, Run: Great Urban Race lived up to its name
- After your second blog about the Great Urban Race, a look at its Web site, and some family encouragement, my son and I decided to participate as a team in celebration of our birthdays this week. (He turned 16 Sunday, and I turn 42 next ...
- Fair Trade the White House: The Great Urban Race
- We ran the Great Urban Race in Boston earlier this year, and we had so much fun that we decided to do it all over again in NYC - this time for a worthy cause. The Great Urban Race is a fast-paced scavenger hunt race, akin to the Amazing ...
Follow The Great Urban Race
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- @daRevoluCHIN @chanthana Sound like a perfect pair to run around Chicago solving clues for this year's #GUR http://bit.ly/wVDj6
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- @Fat2FitMommy Cant wait to see what you come up with! Prizes are in store!! #GUR
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- Great Motto!! RT @ztsprague: Happy New years everyone. My motto for this coming year is YES I CAN IN 2010!
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- @RealAge In 2010, I will resolve to create memorable experiences for 1000s of people for the #GreatUrbanRace in 25 cities across the nation!
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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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