DC: Meet The Amazing Race

Photo courtesy of
‘uh, where are we?’
courtesy of ‘philliefan99’

So you think you know DC? The city’s hidden gems, obscure facts, secret tunnels and back routes? Next Saturday, Aug. 1st, offers you a chance to put all that trivia valuable knowledge to good use.

It’s the first-ever GO Urban Adventure Race, a nationwide series of scavenger hunts that kicks off here at home. Next summer, DC will host all winning teams in the championship race.

Here’s the deal — teams of two will receive clues via text message and will travel by foot, Metro or bus to a GOpoint. They must complete a physical or mental challenge to get their next clue and move on. Clues are tailored to DC’s unique make-up and history. After finding 12 GOpoints, competitors race to the finish — and a party, of course!

All proceeds benefit The Vallon Institute, which raises money for environmentally and health-friendly programs. And the race is green, with organic t-shirts and perks for doing planet-friendly deeds. Sign me up!

An area resident since 1997, Donna C. is a DC outsider. When she’s not running her writing and Web business, she’s running around the city, exploring the great outdoors, or trying to figure out how best to go green. See why she loves DC.

6 thoughts on “DC: Meet The Amazing Race”

  2. Pingback: Ready, Set, GO Urban! - City Desk - Washington City Paper

  3. Cool idea. Interesting twist to an adventure race and seems like they are on to something! I’d much rather spend $50 to do something like this then at some scummy bar in Georgetown. Oh and they have beer and wine at the end. I’m there.

  4. I actually heard about this from a co-worker sounds like a good time. I wonder how hard it is. They don’t say how long the course is, but you can take public transportation. I love to run and I hope its a little challenging.

  5. Probably the best way to see DC if you don’t have any desire to do the tourist thing…AGAIN. I’d do this in any city to which I traveled! Awesome idea!

  6. Hi Everyone,

    I am the race director for the GO Urban Adventure Race. I am glad to see all the great feedback on Donna’s post. As far as the distance it is all dependent on how much you use public transportation. With that said, I would say the distance will be between 5-8k, again this will vary for each team depending on the strategy you chose in moving from one point to the next. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask them here or just send me an email.