Registration is now open for the third annual Quest New West – an Amazing Race-inspired event scheduled for June 7.
Participants, either by foot or by bike, have five hours to complete a list of challenges staged at various businesses around the Royal City.
“Last year, at Spud Shack, they had to play Jenga with fries,” said Tej Kainth, executive director of Tourism New Westminster. “At River’s Reach Pub, they had to know the drink special of the day and recite it to patrons and even go serve a tray of drinks.”
“This is a great way for someone who might be interested in moving here to kind of get a feel for what our city has to offer, or for someone who has lived here all their life and is wanting to be a tourist in their hometown,” she added.
Like the Amazing Race reality show, there are cash prizes up for grabs. The race has been split into four categories – pedestrian pair, pedestrian team, cyclist pair and cyclist team. The first pair to cross the finish line, in both the bike and pedestrian category, will receive $250. Meanwhile, those working as a team (between three to four people) will take home $500. And whatever group comes first overall will get an additional $500.
Kainth told the Record she’s expecting a bigger turnout than last year. For the first time, the event is being held on a Sunday rather than a Saturday.
“We had 75 participants last year, so we’re hoping to double that. I’d be happy if we just hit 100,” she said, adding anyone can sign up, not just locals.
“We encourage people all over the Lower Mainland. You don’t have to be a marathon runner or an Olympic swimmer; this is just a fun day. Last year, someone even used it as a first date.”
Kainth is also putting a call out to businesses, encouraging them come up with creative challenges for submission. A committee will then select between 20 and 25 of them.
“This is a great way to promote and make people aware of your product and services. People were talking about it on social media and they were going back to it,” she said.
Check-in begins at 10 a.m., with the race kicking off at 11 a.m. and ending at 4 p.m. Everyone will be given a map of the city and a race card listing all the necessary stops. It is up to the teams to decide which route to take. Participants must register before June 1. Cost per person is $27.50 plus taxes. Visit www.tourismnewwestminster.com to fill out the registration form. Businesses interested in taking part can email [email protected] for more information.
