The Mayor's Cup 2007 - Director's Report

I awoke early the morning of October 13th. The preparation and excitement of the day ahead had kept me from more than a couple hours of sleep. The sky was partly cloudy and the forecast called for a 50% chance of rain. A little rain wouldn't hurt.

The Mayor's Cup, Columbia's Urban Adventure Race, was about to begin. Participants gathered at Boone Tavern, and as the starting time arrived, the sprinkle of rain began to get worse. The phone rang. It was the band. They had to cancel. The outdoor show at the park was not going to happen. Time to get a back-up plan in action quick; the participants were waiting. The show must go on.

Around 80 participants were ready to begin an adventure that they knew nothing about. They knew they needed a bike. They knew they needed an ugly doll. Did they have any idea what I had in store for them?

After a couple initiation activities, the participants were off. Eight checkpoints awaited in the downtown "District," all to be completed on foot. Each team received a passport, and at each station clues were given to the upcoming station. Some of the highlights included ringing the courthouse bell, performing a one minute air guitar performance for style points at the Blue Note, a intimate television interview, and a visit with the friendly but doll-obsessed troll that lives under Flat Branch Park. Participants were required to photograph their experiences at each checkpoint. Videographers were stationed throughout the course.

Following the District, teams were sent on a photo hunt on the University of Missouri campus. Team photos show participants hanging out with Thomas Jefferson and Beetle Bailey. Stankowski field became a speedway for bikers as the campus was empty. Before participants finished they were required to sing the Ole Mizzou song in the Stadium tunnel.

I arrived at Grindstone park at 10:30. I knew that participants were cruising through the downtown and were probably making their way through the campus. The heavy rain became an intense thunderstorm and I cursed myself for being stupid enough to wear blue jeans on such a day. The volunteers were huddled wet and cold under the shelter at Grindstone. A biker on a tour from St. Louis was taking refuge with them. I wondered how many participants would be able to tough it out this far. The temperature was dropping fast and the shallow creek beds were beginning to rise. This event was turning into a very intense adventure fast.

Grindstone park was the final section of the course. Eight final checkpoints awaited the bravest souls from the Mayor's Cup. Five check points were in the Enchanted Forest. These included the Farmer (participants had to walk and talk like farm animals for the points), the tongue twister station, the Grindstone School of History, The Red Bull aid station, and my favorite, the Musical Albino Bear (which was filling in for the band). Those who made it this far were to be rewarded. Those up for an extra challenge were encouraged to forge through the knee deep creek, survive the FearFest "Pit O Despair," complete a physical challenge at the "Cliffs of Insanity," and complete the "Battle of the Wits" on the creek shore. Then it was back to Shakespeare's for the pizza party.

The first few teams were through before we were even able to get set up! Another dozen were close behind. Many of the teams were shivering and a few were a little blue. It was wildly entertaining to watch them forge through the creeks and the mud only to be rewarded with Monty Python skits, ridiculous challenges, and a dancing bear playing a xylophone. The rain kept coming. At 1:30 the conditions became so bad for the volunteers that I knew I had to close the course. A few had already fled for their lives as the creeks were at the verge of being impassible. A handful of participants were still on the course and I directed them to the remaining stations as I ran through the park alerting the remaining volunteers to go directly to Shakespeare's and eat pizza. I didn't know how things had held together as long as they had. Only moments before, my cell phone short circuited and I was without contact with the volunteers and participants. Murphy's law was kicking my butt.

I packed all the soggy props and gear into the car and quickly made my way back to Shakespeare's. The plan was to have participants turn in their passports to have their location stamps tallied. Unfortunately, almost all the books were soaking wet mush balls. I wondered how many digital cameras had met their fate that day. Looking around Shakespeare's I noticed that many people had made it for the pizza party. Even more amazing was that everyone was somehow still smiling! Maybe they actually even had a good time! Nobody wanted to punch me! I made sure that everybody left with a door prize or two. The actual winners of the event would have to be determined at a later date. After months of planning and promotion, the event was finally over. What just happened? It was a blur. Totally insane.

As I left Shakespeare's Pizza, the rain came to a stop. The next day was sunny and perfect. But really, where is the adventure in that?