St. Paul and area competitors are so good, that it took them a few hours to complete what those on the Amazing Race take three weeks to do, traveling to different locations and completing a series of mental and physical challenges.
The only difference was on this version of the Amazing Race – St. Paul, the action all stayed in town, with the mode of transportation being on legs and in vehicles, rather than on trains, planes and automobiles.
“I used my passport a lot less with this one,” said Stephen Mckenzie-Campeau with a grin, while his teammate Holly Campeau pointed out the other major difference between St. Paul’s challenge and the show was that it involved a lot “less disgusting eating challenges.”
“I was a little disappointed – I only had to eat one pudding. I trained for that!” joked fellow Bacon Lovers teammate Braden Campeau.
This year was the first ever Amazing Race – St. Paul’s Family Edition, brought to the community by County of St. Paul and Elk Point FCSS.
Organizer/FCSS summer events coordinator Courtney Hebert said that FCSS had tossed around a few ideas for a major summer event, including a Survivor challenge or an Amazing Race challenge. With the help of Pinterest to come up with clues, the Amazing Race challenge was borne, bringing out 18 teams of varying sizes to put their brains and brawns to the test on Sunday afternoon.
While racing the stops along with the competitors was a “little crazy” at times, Hebert said she was very pleased with how the event went, noting that people came not just from the immediate surrounding area, but from further afield as well, with competitors noting that the third place team, The Hunters, were from Saskatchewan.
“I think everyone enjoyed themselves,” she said, adding, “It’s good for people in the community to come out and have fun with their families and friends.”
The action began in Lagasse Park at 1 p.m. as Hebert sounded the air horn and the 60 plus competitors took off, racing around the park to complete a language challenge that required them to translate Estonian words into English and to figure out their next destination. Other challenges included doing a lap around St. Paul Regional’s track in under 90 seconds, trying to catch a fish at the trout pond, digging in the sand for pieces and completing a puzzle, and, with the help and suggestion of the local Co-op, a Food or Fuel challenge, where people could choose to either fill up three vehicles with gas or shop for a list of random items from the grocery store.
When all was said and done, the Bacon Lovers were the first to jog their way up the steps of the UFO Landing Pad, the final destination, in a total two and a half hours.
Braden said his sister Holly was a fan of the show and had been trying to convince him to join her in competing in the actual Amazing Race.
When he saw the flyer for the local challenge, he thought it would be a better alternative.
“We saw the opportunity to do this one in a day. We figured, ‘Let’s give it a shot, show them what we’ve got.’”
The team, like many others, came in with a gritty determination to win, with the team’s youngest member Jacob Campeau saying that they had discussed it beforehand and decided if they came in second, it would just make them the “first losers.”
Second place team The Blues’ Rob Levasseur gave the event a rave review, saying, “It was difficult, but it was fun, lots of fun,” and Kristie Levasseur adding it was “well-organized,” with a total of 20 county staff and volunteers making it run smoothly.
When asked if they would take part in the challenge again, it was a no-brainer for those asked.
“In a heartbeat,” said Braden, at the same time Holly and Jacob both chime in saying, “Oh yeah.”
Holly adds only one caveat, as she recovers her breath. “Maybe not right now though. I need to refuel first!”
Hebert notes the joint FCSS department is not finished organizing summer fun - it will be hosting a similar Amazing Race event in Elk Point on Aug. 11, as well as continuing to host science afternoons, outdoor movie nights, and a 3-on-3 basketball challenge in Ashmont on Aug. 13.
