City-wide charity challenge invites base employees

UrbaCity team Sparkle My World competes at a Challenge Station on Yates before being named 2013 Champions in the Brawn category.

In June, teams of brightly coloured contestants will sprint through the streets of downtown Victoria in the name of charity.

The UrbaCity Challenge takes place June 8, and is a city-wide obstacle course that pits teams of two against each other in an Amazing Race-style event, with competitors completing various tasks, puzzles, and obstacles.
Businesses and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) can get in on the race through the new four person corporate challenge, or as a pair in the Brains, Brawn, and Ultra categories.

“It’s a great opportunity for Victorians to get a look at their city like they’ve never seen it before,” says Priya Manhas of MAXIMUS Canada, the presenting partner for the event. “We want to put an emphasis on Victoria’s local culture, so all of our challenges will get participants up close and personal. With the CAF being such a large part of the community we hope the military represents as well.”

Each team of two has a fundraising minimum of $100, while teams  of four must raise $400, with all money going directly to The Prostate Centre, a Victoria organization that provides direct support in relation to prostate health.

“It’s important to MAXIMUS to support the community, so we wanted to reach out to a local organization,” says Manhas. “The Prostate Centre serves this community’s men and their families, and we wanted to do whatever we can to support them.”

While the exact tasks for this year’s race are kept under wraps until the day of, Manhas says there is no end to variety.

In years past, participants had to make a paper airplane together using only one hand each, or memorize the order of a totem pole and relay it to a team mate out of sight to be rebuilt with a model.

“Anything to build teamwork skills, work out the mind and tire the body,” she says. “It’s all about friendly competition and with a little challenge its all the more fun.”

Registration is online at www.UrbaCity.ca.

– Shawn O’Hara, Staff Writer