The Danville Amazing Race

Puzzle Hunt, July 8, 2023 9:00 A.M.

Race Details

There will be 8 puzzles and 8 locations to find in the area. Teams are aiming to complete the course in the fastest time. The course is complete when a team arrives to the finish line with 8 correct answers written on their score sheet accompanied with 8 checked off indicators that they've been to all 8 locations on the maps.
 
Which thing will teams do most: solving puzzles or navigating the course? Probably the most time will be spent on solving the puzzles. So to set expecations, make sure teams know that this is a puzzle-solving event. Once a puzzle or set of puzzles are solved, there is the part of the race which is finding the course markers (on trees, fences, signs, etc.), marking down what they see, and checking in at the checkpoints along the course. Figure on 60% puzzle solving and 40% traversing the race course.
 
The puzzles can be a bit challenging, but there is a range of word, shapes, numbers, logic, and codes (like Braille, Morse, semaphore, etc.) puzzles from easy to hard for kids. Most puzzles explain what to do, and if some code system is required, it is provided. Teams will not need their phones to look up information online; all puzzles should be solvable directly. Most puzzles are on paper, but there may be some "physical" puzzles.
 
The race should take about 2 hours total to complete, that is, wrap up around 11:30 a.m. There is a pre-race talk and a demo course in the Quail Gardens neighborhood so that the teams can get familiar with what to expect on the actual course. Teams will start at 1 minute intervals based on a fun start game. Every team is timed based on their own start time, so there is no penalty for starting later.
 
Each team will be supplied with a 6x9 clipboard in which to keep puzzles and to work on those puzzles. Here is a quick list of other things teams will need or might need:

• Will Need:
• Pens
• Pencils with erasers - it is advised to use pencils so that changes can be erased
• One small backpack for the team - one person can carry it
• Might Need:
• Water bottles
• Sunscreen
• Hats
• Snacks - we'll have some at the finish line, but in case someone wants to fuel up during the race

The course is about 1 mile in length, and is mostly on a local trail. We will take precautions on local streets to keep teams safe. The race is on foot throughout; no bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc.
 
Parents can accompany kids along the course. We encourage parents to stroll along the course to keep an eye on teams as well as to see their kids progress through the race. And, we need 3 volunteers! Please contact us if you'd like to help out.
 

Teams - Ages 11-13

 

Teams - Ages 6-10

 

Sign Up Now!

Enter the names of the two entrants along with your email address and we'll send a confirmation email.

 
Or, send an email to july8@netiry.com and let us know your two player names and which division. We'll send a confirmation email and add the players' names to the signup lists above. Also, please send us an email with any questions you have about the race.
 

Location

The start and finish area for the race is in Quail Gardens. See the red star location on this map.
 

 

Results

A total of 8 teams took part, three teams in the 11-13 age division and five teams in the 6-10 age division.
Congratulations to all teams for finishing the course! And all teams got all 8 puzzles correctly answered!
Prizes included Prime, Sour Patch Kids, birdhouses, Pop Rocks, and lots more!
We will be announcing a new race for later in July or August very soon. Send an email now if you're interested to sign up and we'll be sure to notify you when the date is set.
 

Teams - Ages 11-13

The puzzle hunt was completed by two Quail Gardens neighborhood teams with 11 to 13 year olds kids several weeks after the official Amazing Race was held for signed up teams. The results for other teams that completed the course are recorded here.
 

Teams - Ages 6-10