DAVIDSON—The Amazing Race is coming to Davidson.
On June 16 teams of local folks will be racing around town deciphering clues and doing odd jobs as they compete in what’s sure to be a fun-filled day of adventure.
The community event is loosely based on CBS’s popular reality television series that pits teams of two people against one another as they try to make out clues and master unique tasks in an epic race towards the finish line and $1 million in cash.
Davidson’s version will vary a bit.
Rather than racing around the globe, here competitors will crisscross the town.
The prize money is also smaller. First place wins $500 and second place earns $200.
The Davidson Kinette Club is taking on the challenge of organizing the event.
All proceeds will go to the new swimming pool, says organizer Brenna Siroski.
They intend to make the race so that all people aged 14 and up and varying abilities are able to participate.
The race will start and finish at the Kinsmen Room at the Communiplex. Here all teams will be given their first clue that they must figure out so they may find the first venue. When they arrive, they’ll be given a task to complete. Once it’s successfully completed, teams will receive their next clue and then off they race to the next stop.
There will be nine stops along the racecourse featuring a variety of tasks each team must perform in order to advance. At some stops competitors will have a choice between two tasks. Some tasks must be completed by both teammates. Others require one team member to perform the challenge. Some tasks will be physical in nature and others will be a mental challenge. Each partner must complete an equal number of challenges.
Unlike the TV show, no one in Davidson’s Amazing Race will be eliminated.
“Community support has been really good,” Siroski said, adding that businesses have gotten onboard by either loaning their locations as stops on the race or by contributing volunteers.
“It shows what a great community we have that businesses are willing to open their places for us to use,” she says.
Siroski encourages people from around the region to participate.
“Out-of-town people won’t be at a disadvantage if they want to join. They may ask anybody to help if they need it to decipher the clues.”
Siroski says there will be lots of walking involved, so she advises people to wear running shoes and to carry a backpack and water. No automobiles and bicycles are allowed.
Anyone interested in participating in the race has until June 1 to get their forms in. Registration forms are available at Stedmans, on facebook or by contacting Siroski at 567-3159.
She urges people to get their forms in soon so they may order T-shirts for participants. As well, it helps them know the number of people they’ll need to prepare for.