Summer is upon us, which means Seattle is gearing up for a bunch of urban scavenger races to test our brain and brawn. Akin to the TV show The Amazing Race, these orienteering events will have your family scrambling through the city streets in search of clues, using teamwork to get ahead in the challenge.
Most offer family divisions, but take note about the distance and time they take to make sure your kids are up for the challenge. If you go, expect to get some good exercise and have a fun bonding experience with your family. Here are some urban races scheduled for the summer months:
On either foot or bike, scramblers can choose 90 minutes or three hours to find as many checkpoints as possible on a map. Points are scored by answering a simple question to prove you were there. These races are fun for families, runners, cyclists and anyone who likes to explore (check out the Seattle’s Child review).
Sunday, June 26: Columbia City
Saturday-Sunday, July 23-24 – Seattle Night & Day
Sunday, Aug. 14 – Kirkland
CitySolve Urban Race: Saturday, July 9
A unique city-wide adventure that takes a lot of brain, a bit of brawn and a ton of fun. More than a scavenger hunt, but not quite a road race, this unique hybrid combines trivia – from pop culture to world history – with a team-oriented adventure, including a few checkpoint challenge twists. A family division is offered (up to three people on a team), and the race takes between three and five hours.
Great Urban Race: Saturday, Aug. 20
In this urban adventure, teams solve 12 clues and complete mental and physical challenges while discovering the city in a fresh way. Each team is given an envelope that contains clues ranging in difficulty at the start of the race. The course typically ranges between four and eight miles. People in the family division may compete on two-, three- or four-person teams.
