ArtPrize meets Amazing Race October 10

The fifth annual Michigan Adventure Race: ArtPrize Edition will be held October 10, 2015. Registration is now open and is limited to 600 racers.

Designated an Official ArtPrize Event, the race will incorporate art venues from the art competition as part of its course. Course designers may also work with artists to use art exhibits as mental and/or physical challenges that racers face along the way. Part bike race, part running race and part Amazing Race, the ArtPrize Edition is believed to be the only sporting event that blends a world-class art festival into its race course.

Two-person teams will start off from Ah-Nab-Awen Park in downtown Grand Rapids and bike or run (and even kayak this year) to checkpoints pre-marked on a map – kept secret until 45 minutes before the race – collecting as many points as they can within four hours. Racers will encounter Amazing Race-like challenges in popular downtown spots and out-of-the-way venues. Examples of past challenges include riddles that racers must solve related to art installations, a Pictionary-like challenge where one teammate had to draw a piece of art well enough for their teammate to enter an exhibit hall and identify, a massive paint by numbers challenge, and an egg launch and catch with giant water balloon launchers.

Race director Mark VanTongeren said, “Racers love getting in a great workout, experiencing a fun and challenging race with an Amazing Race feel, and seeing a good deal of ArtPrize all at the same time. We love putting on an event that is done nowhere else on Earth. It’s rewarding to be a small part of what makes West Michigan special.”

Friends, family and the general public are welcome to experience the race. Maps and a guide provided at the start will direct people to the most entertaining challenges. It is a challenging race to follow however as racers head off in dozens of directions.

The charity partner selected for this edition of the race is Camp Anew, operated by Living Beyond Grief with minimal overhead and no employees. Camp Anew provides hope to kids 7-17 who are living beyond grief associated with the death of a loved one. Money raised will enable more kids to go to camp each summer at Grace Adventures near Silver Lake Sand Dunes.

Sponsors of the race include Gazelle Sports, Founders Brewing Co., Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus, Peppino’s Sports Grille, West Michigan Bike & Fitness, and The Gilmore Collection.

For more information about the race, go to www.miadventurerace.com or www.facebook.com/MiAdventureRace.