All Signed Up for Vancouver City Chase (gulp)

I have never, ever done anything like this before. And by "this" I mean an urban adventure race consisting of one part scavenger hunt, one part obstacle course. Me and good friend Erin are team Victorious Secret in the 4th annual City Chase, and we'll probably be the ones huffing and puffing, shrieking and refusing to do whatever it is we'll have to do, and - if we're lucky - crossing the finish line after 6 hours when all the other teams were done in 3.

It all goes down on Saturday, May 12. Duos will be mentally and physically challenged, and will have to solicit help and assistance from other teams and innocent bystanders. So read on to find out where you, the pedestrian, need to be to help Erin and I win (or at least finish.) Or if you want to sign up, here are the details:

The event takes place in major Canadian cities, with hundreds of teams of two competing in each. The winning team in each city will compete in the Canadian Championship, and the winner of that will go on to the World Championships, which will be televised by the National Geographic Channel.

Teams are given a clue sheet, which contains directions or puzzles that lead to certain ChasePoints. At each point the team will have to complete some sort of task in order to receive a stamp in their official game passport. The first to get 10 stamps and cross the finish line wins.

With previous tasks like underwater hockey, riding a mechanical bull, fencing, completing a zip line across Hog's Back Falls in Ottawa, building scarecrows, sailing, pulling rickshaws, and skydiving from 14,000 feet, I was pleased to learn that there will be between 12 and 25 ChasePoints in each city, and you can choose which 10 you complete. But of course if you arrive at a point and don't like the task, time is ticking while you run or bus to the next location.

Head to City Chase for more details and registration. The fee is $150 per team.

First prize is going to the nationals, second prize gets Merrell footwear and apparel, third a couple of Palm Treos. And to encourage good-natured fun and downplay the competitive aspect, there are also a couple random prizes which will be given out to some lucky 'losing' teams: one 9 day Adventure trip in Costa Rica from GAP Adventures, and Running Room gift certificates.

Oh, and there's an after-party.