Teams of two looking for an experience of a lifetime can apply until January 31st for the Southern Ontario Amazing Race (SOAR).

“We can’t think of another adventure race that’s better organized, more exciting or where racers can truly say they’ve had life-altering experiences.” – Three time participants, John and Amanda Stevens.

Whether you are looking for an adventure in 2016, want to have an incredible bonding experience with someone in your life, are looking for unique ways to give back to children in need, or, all three – this is the event for you.

SOAR has been running since 2004. Since that time, teams have travelled to locations all over Southwestern Ontario and completed challenges like walking a slackline between two seven story buildings, learning and performing a waltz routine to solving unique and challenging logic puzzles. No matter what your strengths are, there will be challenges that some teams will excel at and others that may drop you to the bottom of the pack. As past racer Michael Pinkney says “This is the fun…doing things that you don’t like or have never done and succeeding.”

The race is entering its 13th year but the challenges stay fresh from year to year and the organizers are always looking to feature the latest trends in puzzles and adventure. Last year’s race included bubble soccer, axe throwing and an escape room. The weekend is so unique of an experience that many teams return to race multiple times. Team selection rules state that teams may only race three times to make room for new people interested in the event. There are still many spots available and chances for you to be part of this life-altering experience.

Not only is the event itself amazing, so is the cause that it supports. SOAR teams raise funds for the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington (CFGW). All donations go directly to the CFGW and are helping better the lives and futures of children in need. Since 2004, SOAR has raised over $750,000 for the Children’s Foundation.

Last year’s SOAR Champions were Jake Drexler from Elora and his teammate Paul Harrington from Rockwood. As Jake proclaimed at the final pitstop “It’s not about this [holding the trophy] it is about the people you meet, raising money for a fantastic local charity and having the experience of a lifetime!”

For more information on how to apply visit www.therace.ca .

___

Photos

SOARmaps – SOAR Teams leave their smart phones at home on race weekend which requires them to navigate from challenge to challenge using road maps or based on directions they can get from the general public.

Bubblesoccer – The SOAR organizing team pride themselves on keeping each year’s race unique and fresh and often feature trendy new puzzles or activities like last year’s bubble soccer challenge.

Locations – SOAR challenges take place in various locations across Southwestern Ontario including many popular tourist attractions like the Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton.

 

Videos

2016 SOAR Promo Video: https://youtu.be/Zk_hZN8OpqU

2015 Challenge “Cut Me Some Slack” where teams walked a slackline between two seven storey apartment buildings. https://youtu.be/Y-jpX8r0nfI