FROM 8AM this morning a motley crew of keep-fit enthusiasts, Lara Croft wannabes and amateur adventurers will gather at Merrion Square to take part in City Chase 2009. Describing itself as the world's "largest adventure series", the Dublin leg of the competition sees 150 two-person teams put through a series of physical, mental and other challenges, writes BRIAN O'CONNELL
The object of the part-obstacle race, part-scavenger hunt is to collect the required number of “Chasepoints” at various hidden locations throughout the city. Competitors are not allowed use a car or taxi, but can get around by foot or public transport, while a family member or friend can also provide research assistance by phone. The team that collects the most points by working out clues and performing tasks in the least amount of time wins and gets a chance to represent Ireland at the World City Chase Championships in Argentina this December. Time allowed for the competition is up to six hours, although last year’s winners did it in two hours 15 minutes.
To be in with a chance of winning, organisers say knowledge of the city is a distinct advantage, and competitors should have a certain level of fitness as well as good problem-solving skills.
The event began in Canada in 2006 as a means of encouraging city dwellers to rediscover their urban spaces through tourists’ eyes, and has taken off in various locations around the world since then. This is the second year it has been held in Dublin, and organisers are currently looking at the possibility of extending it to Cork, Limerick and Galway in the coming years.
So, what types of challenges do competitors face today? Niamh Kellett, City Chase Dublin director, describes the procedure: “When people register we give them an information sheet which has cryptic clues on it. From this they have to work out the various locations in the city they must get to. When they get to the locations, they will have challenges to complete before moving onto the next location. It could be something physical or mental, or simply wacky and fun.”
While Kellett was careful not to give away any of the tasks in advance, last year contestants had to sing on stage at the National Concert Hall while a panel of judges scored their efforts, as well as eat a plate of tripe. It’s a bit of a different vibe to the Dublin City Marathon then.
“Contestants today can expect a lot of physical activities,” says Kellett, “as well as some tasks which will really push them out of their comfort zones. We’ve been warning people to be prepared for anything.”
ONE OFlast year's winners, Ian Russell, is hoping to put in a strong performance again this year with his team-mate Diarmuid O'Sullivan. Russell heard about last year's competition through an e-mail and, given that he is a keen urban cyclist, he decided to give it a go. "I thought it would be a great adventure, and then because it's a two-person event, I had to try get a team-mate. Diarmuid is my go-to guy when I want to do something a bit out there, so he got the call."
The pair went along for a fun day out, and began to take the competition seriously when they realised they were in with a shot at winning. “We’re both reasonably fit and as we went through the day last year, we realised we might win it. We thought we had lost it at the end when we ended up in the wrong part of Phoenix Park and had to travel a mile extra. We were blown away when we actually won. The prize included a trip to Morocco to the world championships representing Ireland against all these other countries.”
The most difficult part of last year’s event was the tripe eating, says Russell.
“We were running all day and at one stage last year we had to eat tripe. That’s not all that horrible on its own, but when you have to run afterwards, having just eaten what essentially amounts to animal stomach, I can tell you it’s not the nicest thing in the world.”
Also taking part this year is 31-year-old David Brooks, who has persuaded his father to be his team-mate. In recent weeks, the father and son team have taken on extra exercise to try keeping fit. When David saw the event advertised, he thought it would be a novel way to bookend their efforts.
“We’ve both undertaken a bit of a health kick in recent months, mostly walking the dogs in the evenings to try shed a few pounds,” says David. “I saw this event advertised and thought it would be a bit of a challenge. Our plan is to try figure out the locations first, so that we’re not running around on Saturday like headless chickens.”
Brooks is hoping his past adventures in the boy scouts may give the team competitive advantage. “I was in the boy scouts but it was a long time ago. We did some orienteering, where you’d be dropped in a forest and have to find your way from tree to tree. I’m hoping it will all come rushing back!”
Brooks also hopes his father’s weekly golfing outings will be a benefit, and when the pair told the rest of the family of their plans, the reaction ranged from indifference to glee. “Dad is fine and ready for it. He plays golf a few times a week so that will benefit. I couldn’t convince my wife to do it, so Dad got the call instead. When he told my Mum, I think she was just delighted to have him out of the house for a day.”
citychasedublin.com