Twenty teams of Boston University students traveled around Boston by foot, bike and the T Saturday as part of BU’s first annual Most Amazing Race.
The race, hosted by Student Activities Office, was inspired by the popular TV show “The Amazing Race” on CBS.
The reality TV show consists of teams of two who travel around the world and compete with other teams. They have to be the first to arrive at “pit stops” and avoid arriving at the stop last, which would potentially result in elimination. The teams are asked to travel via planes, taxis, rental cars, trains and buses or by foot to different countries where they must perform tasks related to the country or culture where they are located. Winners on the TV show receive $1 million.
However, BU’s race was a bit different. Students’ ultimate destinations were all in Boston and teams were groups of five to eight people. The grand prize was $1,500 or $3,000 for an active student group on campus, according to SAO.
To sign up, students had to gather teams and fill out registration sheets and waivers for each member. Many students found out through the Facebook event online and posters on campus. SAO announced the final teams on Feb. 10.
The race began at 10 a.m. and went until 5 p.m., and teams were eliminated up until the very end.
Students were only permitted to make phone calls in times of emergency and no team member could use a smart phone or Internet device to solve the clues or find the destinations. Each team was required to have a team color or uniform and team name.
Teams were asked to solve clues that led them to different locations around Boston where SAO members were stationed, ready to give teams the next clue.
One clue from Saturday’s race asked the teams to decode a message directing them toward the Old North Church in the North End.
Teams were asked to go to other locations, including Faneuil Hall, the site of the Boston Massacre, the Boston Common and the Museum of Fine Arts. The finish line was located on campus at SAO Gym on University Road, where the entire day began.
College of Communication freshman and member of team Loose Seals John Sanderson said he liked how the race was so well-planned.
“It was extremely organized,” he said. “Everyone hosting it knew where they had to be, and when they had to be there.”
Participants said it was fun competing with other teams and they found the race sufficiently challenging.
“It was exhilarating to beat other teams and do well,” said COM freshman and fellow Loose Seals team member Keya Vakil. “The worst part was all of the running around Boston. That was brutal.”
COM freshman Victoria Price, whose team Sex Drugs Murder, composed of members of BUTV’s “Bay State,” came in second place, said she really enjoyed exploring the city and bonding with fellow teammates.
“Being a freshman, I’m still not super-acquainted with the city,” she said. “Even though we were running around like madmen, I feel like I have a better idea of where things are now once you get off the BU campus. It was also a really great bonding experience.”
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