Fitness and fundraising at Urban Challenge
A total of 52 teams participated in the first Wooster Urban Adventure Challenge on Saturday, July 23. The event had its members exploring the charms that Wooster has to offer in the form of biking, hiking, running, golfing, swimming and completing a variety of mental challenges on their way to the finish line at Freedlander Park.
The competition began at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) at 8:00 a.m., where contestants took off on foot in groups of two and three. They spent their day hiking at Wooster Memorial Park, completing small tasks in downtown Wooster, practicing yoga at The Studio on Liberty, gliding down the slide at Christmas Run Pool, jumping rope at Christmas Run Park, tasting beer and pop at The Wooster Inn, and matching businesses with their purposes at Viola Startzman Free Clinic. The final event involved jumping off of the diving board at Freedlander Pool and then climbing a wall and ringing a bell that was attached to the very top. The groups had nine hours to complete the race, and the winning group, Logan McClish, Lucas McClish, and Levi McClish, completed it in 3 hours and 35 minutes.
The physical exercise and activity tied neatly into the fundraising element of the race, which was to raise money for Viola Startzman Free Clinic of Wooster. Though they didn't have an exact count, Patrice Smith, co-organizer of the event, alongside Pam Tegtmeier, estimated that they raised $20,000.
Wooster Adventure Charities Organization recently received their nonprofit status, and they intend to host future competitions, as the response from the participants and the sponsors was positive and supportive.
"This is our very first shot at it, and I think it's something that's going to continue to grow," Smith said. "Coming up with it was the easy part. We all broke up into (what) our strengths were and had meetings all the time." The race was divided into about 10 miles of walking or running, eight to nine miles of biking, and about four miles of hiking. Participants were allowed to use GPS systems, internet and cell phones to navigate the city. And for Casey Collier and Rob Dufala, the competition was just a bit harder, as they were from Chicago and unfamiliar with the highlighted parks and locations.
"I loved it, it was fun. My legs feel like Jell-O," said Dufala with a smile.
The event ran smoothly with the dozens of volunteers and organizers, prepared to guide and challenge the contestants at each checkpoint. "It's a fun fundraiser that's very unique, different and fresh and it's for a great cause. It's fitness oriented, we want people to get out and get moving, and what a better way to do it," said Jaime Parsons, executive director of Viola Startzman Free Clinic. "It's an honor. This is such a creative and fun event, and we're just proud to be apart of it." She described it as an introduction to Wooster for those teams that came from afar, as participants toured what the town is most known for—from The College of Wooster to the parks that provide recreation and entertainment for community members.
Many contestants reported the hike as the most challenging component of the race, and the refreshing pools seemed to be welcomed reprieves for the teams, as the blistering heat and humidity kept them reaching for their water bottles and wiping away sweat.
"I had a lot of fun. It was really challenging, especially for my age," humored Tom Hartman, who said his favorite part was at the starting line, where all the teams gathered as one before taking off.
The post-race party was held at the Olde Jaol Restaurant and Tavern in Wooster. The awards ceremony and charity auction were held there for community members and contestants alike to attend.