The Chestermere Rotary Club held its first annual Rotary’s Amazing Race on Saturday September 20th. Fifteen teams embarked on the race which would take them to fourteen different locations within Chestermere where challenges awaited them and in order for the clue to the next location to be provided, teams had to successfully complete the challenge.
At the sound of a horn at John Peake Park, teams scattered to the secret locations in hopes of being the first team to cross the finish line at the new bike park. These tasks took them from deactivating an alarm code in a show home in Kinniburgh, to completing a lap on a paddle board in the chilly water, to devouring some insanely ‘suicide’ hot wings at the North Tap House.
However, before the starting horn even blew, teams had already been in a race online to raise money. Teams were required to raise a minimum of $250 in order to participate in the race. Funds raised are going to the Rotary but will be going back into the community of Chestermere. The team submitted by Mighty Neighbourly (consisting of Kevin Castanheiro, Andre Dubois, Matt Peterson & Alicia Peterson) were awarded a special recognition for raising $1435 – the most raised by one team.
Within a couple hours after the horn blew, the first team made it to the finish line. That first team was ‘The Crusades’ which consisted of members of the Knights of Columbus Patrick Watson, John Nemanic, Owen Wourms & Jason Ricks. Being the first team to cross, they were awarded a $1000 cash prize that was provided by CUI (Chestermere Utilities Incorporated). However, as they were handed their cheque, The Crusades announced that they would be donating their winnings to The Jacket Racket program which provides coats and other warm winter gear to families and children in need.
The second place team was the combined forces of Synergy & Lakeridge. Team members Alex Desplanque, Megan Desplanque, Evan Dewald and Melissa From crossed the finish line, awarding them a $500 cash prize provided by the Showhomes of Kinniburgh (Sterling, Stepper and Broadview). Mighty Neighbourly took a double win from this event as they were the top team for fundraising and also the third place team of the race. They were awarded a $250 cash prize that was donated by Gas Plus & JM Meats & C-Store.
Just as with the generosity of the first place Crusades, the Synergy/Lakeridge and Mighty Neighbourly teams also donated their winnings to both the Synergy program and Lakeridge Community Church. Melissa From of the second place Synergy/Lakeridge team said “It warms my heart to see how Rotary, Coats for Kids, Synergy and Lakeridge all came out beneficiaries AND we had a good time! It was a win-win for sure”.
Fellow team member, Evan Dewald says “It was a fantastic event. Not only was it great for each team to have fun running for their organization, it also raised awareness for business and non-profits in town. Then there are funds raised which will eventually be going back into our community. I loved that is was more than just another supper or silent auction. Bravo to the Rotary Club”.
Plans are already in the works for a repeat of this event for next year as businesses and participants have expressed a huge interest in taking on the challenge again. Five o’clock somewhere team member, Tammy Rietveld says it was the idea of fellow team mate Krista Mainprize for her to enter. “I was nervous and excited as the day approached, it all got real when we made our t-shirts. I thought the race was “amazing!!” The challenges were so fun, I was delighted at the creative thinking that went into it. It was an adrenalin filled morning and I can’t wait to do it again next year! Although I am worried that it will be much harder to qualify because everyone will have heard how much fun it was and more people will want to participate. ”
Rotary President, Andrew Keirstead, was on hand that day, welcoming teams as they crossed the finish line and presenting awards and the prize cheques at the wind up BBQ taking place in the CUI parking lot following the race. “The Rotary Club of Chestermere would like to thank all the members of our community who participated in the Amazing Race on Saturday September 20. The enthusiasm of the teams and the contributions of our Host Challenges were remarkable and as a result the event was a huge success. The event raised in excess of $5000 which speaks to the generosity of our community. The money will be used to support various community projects. A special thank you to the businesses that sponsored the prizes, all our Rotarians who put in many long hours planning the event and to those of you who missed out this year, we look forwarding to doing it all again next year!!”.
