Remembering 10 MOST amazing challenges
This year, The Salvation Army’s MOST Amazing Race is celebrating its 10th anniversary on Saturday, July 25.
Looking back through the years, the race had its fair share of memorable challenges, which put the wits and stamina of participants to the test. To celebrate our MOST important milestone, we compiled a list of 10 of the most memorable race challenges.
Racing in hamster ball 2014
Just last summer, MOST Amazing Racers slid inside a zorb ball and made their way up and down Bierman Track and Field Stadium at the University of Minnesota. It’s not as easy as it sounds. Racers not only had to walk with their feet, they also had to push with their hands.
Making a splash 2013
In 2013, racers were making a literal splash through our water park challenge at The Depot in downtown Minneapolis. Racers had to complete three different activities, including racing down water slides while collecting colored wristbands and crossing a cargo net.
Climbing to new heights 2012
Those with a fear of heights would cringe at one of our 2012 MOST Amazing Race challenges held at Vertical Endeavors. Racers needed to scale a 40 foot climbing wall and learn to tie a figure-eight knot before moving on to the next challenge.
Auditioning at the Guthrie 2011
The Salvation Army, now celebrating its 150 year anniversary, has been serving the hungry and housing those experiencing homelessness for years. Almost as old, is a play about The Salvation Army, “Major Barbara,” which was written in 1905 by George Bernard Shaw. For this challenge, racers made their way to the Guthrie to find one of their clues waiting by a large portrait of George Bernard Shaw. Their clue led them inside the theatre to memorize one page from the play “Major Barbara” and then to perform what they’ve memorized on the Endless Bridge. This challenge certainly required a strong mental focus.
Spending a day at the lake 2010
In 2010, a number of challenges took place at Twin Cities’ summer hotspot, Lake Calhoun in Uptown. Racers first had to crack a code that gave them the combination needed to unlock a pair of bikes from Calhoun Bike Rental. From there, racers peddled around Lake of the Isles while collecting four rubber ducks from race staff. After securing all four ducks, racers grabbed a canoe and paddled across Lake Calhoun to North Beach. Once there, they needed to collect three more ducks to spell the word “Amazing.” Racers got their daily workout in during this challenge.
Learning a new dance 2010
When creating our race, we love to get racers up and moving. What better way to make this happen than by learning a few new dance steps? Following their adventure on Lake Calhoun, racers made their way to Zenon Dance Company and School to learn a MOST amazing hip hop routine. This challenge was as much a mental test as it was a physical one. If racers didn’t remember the steps, it would cost them precious time getting to the finish line.
Putting out fires 2009
We make our racers work and for this challenge, participants learned what it takes to be part of the Minneapolis Fire Department. Both teammates geared up in full firefighter attire, which is quite a heavy outfit. Then one teammate made their way up the Training Tower while the other had to drag a fire hose 50 feet and spray water to hit a target.
Suiting up for hockey practice 2009
Minnesota is known for its hockey enthusiasm so we couldn’t wait to bring this challenge to life in 2009. At the University of Minnesota’s Ridder Arena, half of the MOST Amazing Racers suited up for hockey practice with Nordy while the other half had to test their knowledge of the WILD hockey team with a quiz.
Adding a twist to bowling 2008
Down…set…roll! We added our own unique twist on proper bowling form when racers visited Bryant Lake Bowl. We challenged racers to bowl football style by rolling the ball between their legs. Racers had to stay there until each team member successfully got a strike, spare, or 9 pins down in one frame.
Giving back 2005
In our first year of the MOST Amazing Race, teams were given $35 gift card to go shopping for nonperishable food items at the Lund’s in Uptown. Their goal was to get their purchase within a dollar of the card’s max. Little did they know that their choices could yield interesting consequences for the second part of the challenge. If a team chose to purchase all canned food, which can become heavy, they would have to carry these bags onto a bus and bring them to the food shelf at our East Lake St. Salvation Army location. Those that chose pasta had a small advantage in terms of carrying ease.
Taking a look at these past challenges, you’ll probably notice that you don’t need to be a marathoner to compete in the MOST Amazing Race, but racers are up and moving–a lot. Luckily, it’s not all about stamina. If you choose to compete, your smarts will be put to the test and how quickly you can solve a puzzle may make the difference from a finish in fifth to winning the race.
Think racers will have to relive any of these for our “Best of” year? You’ll have to wait for July 25th to find out.
If you or a friend is looking for the MOST amazing event of the summer, learn more about our race. Registration is just $25 per person. Keep in mind only 100 teams can take part, so be sure to sign up right away.