The weather was perfect on Saturday, Oct. 5, for the 2nd Annual Amazing Race hosted by the Barriere Outdoor Club at the Barriere Forks Trails. The park was a busy place with 82 participants, 31 volunteers and numerous spectators coming together and all eager to get the Amazing Race underway.
There was great excitement, laughter and a show of energy as the participants prepared for the event.
The theme for this year’s race was “Get Your Game On”, and drew 41 teams of two partners each registered in seven divisions; Youth/Youth, Teen/Teen, Adult/Adult, Senior/Senior, Youth/Adult, Youth/Senior, and Adult/Senior.
A two-minute starting space between each team prevented pile-ups on the trails where nine challenges awaited the participants who raced at their own pace. Not only physical strength was required, but also a certain mental agility was required for participants to work out the different challenges along the way.
All challenges had to be completed before the team raced to the finish and concluded the last challenge at the ‘Pit Stop’ where they received five minutes off their total time.
“This year it was decided not to choose one winning team over all, but to present each participant with a reward and a prize,” said Amazing Race Director Louise Lodge, “In this way everyone has won by taking part in the Amazing Race!”
The volunteers commented that “the smiles, laughs, and sheer energy from the racers made this a great event for volunteers to be a part of”.
Comments overheard from some of the people attending the event included, “What an amazing day for an Amazing Race”, “Lots of fun!”, and “Such a great day, can’t wait until next year”.
The 2019 Amazing Race concluded with a delicious barbecue lunch, and the presentation of medals, prizes and pins for all participants.
Barriere Outdoor Club representatives and volunteers expressed their sincere appreciation for all the support the Club and the “family fun” Amazing Race received from their sponsors and supporters this year; North Thompson Communities Foundation, Cranky Crow Designs, IGA, Timber Mart, Petro/A&W, Sweetnam’s, AG Foods, Royal Lepage Realtors, Thompson Valley Awards, Simpcw Resources, and the Barriere Outdoor Club for maintaining the trails.
