Calgary City Chase

[Superflyer]

So I won an entry into the Mitsubishi City Chase for this Saturday and it sounds so much fun. I hope I can find a partner which is a little hard with such short notice.

I am just wondering if anyone has been in this before and can let me know what to expect.

http://mitsubishicitychase.com/en_site.asp

I think it depends on if you're a serious competitor looking to win it or just going to go out and have fun with it.
IIRC someone said that you have to be prepared with someone (or a team of people)at a computer figuring out your route for you because you're limited as to what you can use on hand.

It does sound like it could be fun!

[Superflyer]

I am more just looking to have fun. I will leave the over competitiveness to other teams

[Mr. Bo-dangles]

Yes, the same few teams finish up top every year, they have a "support" team sitting at home with computers,transit times, maps etc. and they run around with blue tooth's to communicate everything. This is a little overboard, but since the winner from each city moves on to Nationals, and then World's I can see why someone would do it. (sort of)

Anyways we have ran it every year, for sure a good knowledge of transit is required, which we don't have. So we end up trying to run most of the thing, which is tough on the body for sure. Bus route knowledge can really help reduce the running/jogging/walking aspect though.

In previous years most checkpoints were well within range of the C-train line either North or South, so you could ride the rail and complete your checkpoints. They started to go away from this last year, and buses were required to get to many checkpoints, which makes things tougher.

Basically off the start there is always some sort of event,dash,treasure hunt etc, where everyone is sent to retrieve their checkpoint sheet for the whole day. Once you have this sheet, you must choose 10 of the 30 checkpoints and complete them before you are allowed to finish. Lots of the tasks require puzzle solving, riddles, googling answers, etc. so really you can't just look at the list and pick any 30. Also a few will be "mandatory" so word of advice, go to these ones right away, as since every team has to do them, lines will only get longer as the day goes. Also, if you are in for the fun, choose checkpoints that let you experience unique stuff not open to the public (Rapelling from the navy base, zorbing in a big hamster ball, etc). Downside is obviously the cooler challenges always have longer lines...

Expect an awesome day that will make you feel as close as you ever will to being a contestant on the amazing race.

[chid]

Wow never heard of this before, but it sounds like a really fun time.

[Incogneto]

My brother and his gf finished 5th out of 500 last year. Good luck to them this year!

[chid]

nm

[Kipper is King]

I was in it a couple years ago, with a friend.

First off, as another poster mentioned, the winning teams are incredibly serious. Just worry about having fun!

There's a bunch of fun stations (be ready to climb the Calgary Tower stairs- it
is a blast, and they have that one every year, I think)! You'll also encounter some stops that are a little lame, but they are quick to do.

Other memorable stations from our year were playing Goalball blindfolded (it's a game for the visually impaired) at the Talisman center, hitting baseballs at Foothills Stadium and going around Prince's Island Park in a gigantic ball knocking down bowling pins!

It is a lot of fun!

It sure helps to be familiar with the C train line, FYI.

[SebC]

Did they change the rules at some point? I thought you weren't allowed communication devices.

If you're stuck for a partner, feel free to fire me a PM.

[Claeren]

haha, I am on one of those serious teams!

We finished 9th last year in Calgary and 5th in Edmonton 2 weeks ago. (I lead the support team).

We thought we had won Edmonton for sure, and then a team finished way before us and we were super choked until the twitter update from city chase.... congratulating a former Olympic triathlete and his marathoner wife on their win.... lol

It is fun no matter how serious you take it though. And it is like running a marathon without trying to run a marathon. The winning team tends to be a male and female, and they tend to be older, with a history of high level distance running, and they always have a support team. It is worth noting that after the city level races you can't get support though.

We are a young team (not me, but the actual racers), the youngest to finish top10 in Calgary as I understand it, and are getting better and better with each race.



Good luck!

Claeren.

[alexle]

I've also won an entry to the CityChase. This will be the first time I will be doing this, so I won't be too high on expectations, although I hope to finish at a decent time.

Just a head's up, the start/finish line on Saturday will be moved from Stephen Avenue to Eau Claire Market, as per their Twitter account (@CityChaseCanada).

[stuck_in_chuk]

I am one of the serious support guys. My wife has gone to nationals 3 times - Chicago, Quebec City and Muskoka region. Her partner came in second in the worlds a few years ago.

Expect tough competition from 2 women.

Edit: They are both older (35+) and long distance runners. They are also orienteers and super competitive. They do well in the events with pedestrian involvement (raising money, etc.) since they are both attractive and uninhibited. One of the clues today suggested that there will be a chasepoint at Calgary Tower - every year, they get the teams to run up the tower. Also, have a transit map handy.