Amazing Race Kincardine raises about $4,000 for Stonehaven Park

The Amazing Race Kincardine has raised about $4,000 for the development of Stonehaven Park in Kincardine.

Organized by Amanda Saxton and her team of volunteers, the event saw 19 two-person teams and four family teams participate, despite the pouring rain, Saturday morning, July 22. The start and finish point were at Victoria Park, with teams running all over town to finish the race.

The two-person teams had to complete 12 challenges: dance, paddle-board, play beach volleyball, eat chocolate, identify plants, find a sock at the laundromat, match tartan, whip egg whites at the Walker House, collect $10 and donate it to the Kincardine Rotary Club, and do fitness trivia, boot camp exercises at Macpherson Park, and lawn bowling.

The family teams had to complete 10 challenges: draw a piece of artwork, identify plants, sample chocolates, dance, solve riddles, play Blinky toss, lawn bowling, find a sock at the laundromat, solve puzzles, and do fitness trivia.

The teams had a number of clues to help them with their challenges. They also had to follow the official rules which meant they could use smartphones to determine the correct location of challenges; all members had to be together to open the next clue; members had to stay within 20 feet of each other during all challenges; teams travelled on foot, could ask help from locals, and work with other teams on certain challenges; and they had to have their race passport initialled to prove completion of the challenges.

Teams that raised extra funds (above the required $60 in pledges) were rewarded with a "headstart," with time deducted from their completion time at the end; and the race officially ended at noon even if all teams had not completed all the challenges.

Team Hegmans - Ashley and Jeff Hegmans - had the best time at just over an hour, arriving back at the gazebo at 10:22 a.m.

The next fastest was Team McDonald - Peter and Kyla McDonald - who arrived at 10:26 a.m.

In third place, were the Dandelion Girls - Maggie and Carol Forsyth.

The top family team was the Walsh family, with the Griffins in second, and the Andersons in third.

Top fund-raisers were Jennica Fry and Tessa Shier, with $680, followed by Jim and Jennifer May with $315, and Carol and Maggie Forsyth with $205.

After presenting the certificates, and allowing teams to select items from the prize table, Saxton thanked everyone for making this inaugural event such a great success, and helping fund-raise for the park.

The afternoon featured a community barbecue and fun fair, with face-painting, balloons, bubbles, candy floss, and popcorn.