Highland County's 'Amazing Race' set for Aug. 11

With a concept similar to the popular CBS television show, "The Amazing Race," a local competitive event will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11 at Liberty Park in Hillsboro.

Dr. David Jamieson of West Main Urgent Care in Hillsboro has planned what he hopes will become an annual event: The Amazing Race of Highland County.

Jamieson, who has competed in the Amazing Race of Loveland, told The Highland County Press this week, "I always thought that we could do the same thing for our community."

Jamieson has partnered with the Highland County Family YMCA, the city of Hillsboro, Southern State Community College, the Highland County Chamber of Commerce, Weastec, Inc. and West Main Urgent Care in Hillsboro, to set up a 7K run/walk event for two-person teams.

The course will begin and end at Liberty Park on North High Street. Along the route, teams will encounter a number of "roadblocks" or course challenges, much like competitors on the TV show must overcome prior to moving on.

Each of the course challenges will be manned by a local non-profit entity, and all proceeds from the event will be donated to non-profit organizations within Highland County.

Jamieson said the roadblocks will provide a fun and brief respite during the 7K.

"These roadblocks will test and reward your quick thinking, memory, sporting and gaming skills, and especially your sense of humor," according to the event's website: http://www.amazingraceofhc.org.

Each team must complete the challenge before continuing. Contestants will need to have their race bib checked off before leaving the roadblock. The captain at the roadblock is in charge, and all teams must obey their instructions.

The race course covers parts of Liberty Park, Richard Shaffer Park, the Weastec grounds, crosses below U.S. 62 at Clear Creek, goes through Clear Creek, and circles the outdoor track at Southern State Community College.

Pre-race packets are available on Thursday, Aug. 8 and Friday, Aug. 9 from noon-6 p.m.
and Saturday, Aug. 10 from noon-3 p.m. at West Main Urgent Care, 231-A W. Main St., Hillsboro.

Contestants also may pick up packets and race shirts, bibs, etc., on race day near the starting line at Liberty Park. The entry fee is $100 per two-person team and includes a race shirt. Race shirts will be distributed with the registration packets and must be worn on race day.

Contestants should arrive no later than 9 a.m. on race day.

Race entrants may park in the large grass fields just past the YMCA, on the left, courtesy of Weastec. This is very close to the start/finish line.

The start times will be staggered, with teams leaving the starting line every minute, beginning at 10 a.m.

Jamieson said most teams will complete the course in an hour or less.

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Additional Information

WHAT IS IT?

The Amazing Race of Highland County is a 2-person team run/walk event. It is a cross-country race, approximately 6-7 km long, but along the race route will be 15-20 roadblocks, or challenges. Each team must complete a task or challenge before continuing. These roadblocks are designed to test, and reward (or penalize) your intelligence, quick thinking, sporting and/or gaming skills. We will have food and drinks at the party after the race!
You will likely get wet. But you will definitely have fun!

WHEN IS IT?

This year, the event will be held on Sunday, Aug. 11. Start times will be staggered, beginning at 10 a.m. Teams will be sent off at one-minute intervals. Check back at http://www.amazingraceofhc.org for your start times after you sign up.

WHERE IS IT?

The race will begin and end in Liberty Park, Hillsboro, Ohio. Liberty Park is beside the Highland County Family YMCA, 201 Diamond Drive, Hillsboro, Ohio, 45133.

WHY?

The Amazing Race of Highland County is a non-profit organization which was formed to help support the organizations, charities, churches and sports teams of Highland County. All profits from the race will be donated to worthy and needy causes.

HOW MUCH?

The race fee is $100 per team of two. Your fee includes a race shirt to be worn during the race. You must register before July 11 to be guaranteed a race shirt.

WHO?

There will be awards given for the top three finishers in five divisions: Male-Male (MM), Male-Female (MF), Female-Female (FF), Parent-Child (PC), and Senior (S) ... combined team age 100 or greater. Participants must be at least 12 years of age on race day.

For more information go to http://www.amazingraceofhc.org or email: amazingraceofhc@yahoo.com.