MUKILTEO — It was no surprise when the mayor’s team won the city’s first-ever Amazing Race Mukilteo.
Sisters Jennifer and Anne Gregerson were the first to finish the Mukilteo Chamber of Commerce race around the city last year. Twenty-seven teams of two competed to win the $250 grand prize.
“I loved the Amazing Race,” Mayor Jennifer Gregerson said. “My sister and I had a great time putting our Mukilteo knowledge to work and our abilities to make a paper airplane, set up golf tees and climb a wall at Traxx.”
The Gregerson sisters — who named themselves The Pika-Muks at the peak of Pokemon Go’s popularity — wish this year’s racers lots of luck.
“We decided to pass the torch to the next winner and are sitting this one out,” Gregerson said. “It is definitely a fun experience whether you’re competitive or not, and I know this year’s participants will have a great time.”
The next Amazing Race Mukilteo is Saturday. Inspired by CBS’s reality TV show “The Amazing Race,” the event has teams of two race to finish six legs around the city. Just like in the TV show, teams have to figure out clues to find and complete each challenge. There are time penalties and bonuses.
“Really anybody can do it. Grab a friend, grab a sibling, grab a parent,” said Emma Leedy, the chamber’s tourism and marketing coordinator. “I think there’s something for everyone. Maybe you’re really great at the creative stuff so you’re going to love that, or maybe you’re really active so you’re going to love to do what we have there.
“It’s a really great way for people to see Mukilteo and for us to promote businesses. It’s just fun.”
Last year’s challenges included rolling out a pie crust at Sydney’s Bakery & Wine Bar, climbing the rock wall at Traxx Indoor Raceway, a scavenger hunt in Japanese Gulch, sinking putts at the Harbour Pointe Golf Club, making and flying a paper plane at the Future of Flight Aviation Center, and a history test at the Mukilteo lighthouse.
“Our team has had a lot of fun coming up with the challenges,” said Julie Martin, the chamber’s CEO and president. “We had so many great ideas that we already have a couple for next year, too.”
The three fastest teams win prizes. Awards also go to the team with the best costume, best name and from farthest away.
The race is the signature event of Next Generation: Mukilteo, the Chamber of Commerce’s young professionals group. The group went on hiatus, so the chamber partnered with local businesses to organize this year’s event.
“The challenge, but also the fun part, was coming up with new (tests and games) so they weren’t a variation of last year,” said Leedy, who served as co-chair of the young professionals group. “They’re totally different than last year. It was fun to stretch our imagination.”
Even this year’s event T-shirts were designed by a Mukilteo business. Brother and sister Brandon and Brittney Cusack, co-owners of Seattle Area Tees, a custom T-shirt design and printing company, revamped the Amazing Race Mukilteo shirts from last year.
The local Amazing Race was the brainchild of Kim Voetberg, the chamber’s marketing and communications director. Voetberg helped run a similar event for the Newport, Oregon, Chamber of Commerce before she moved to Mukilteo.
“Kim is a riddle master,” Martin said. “She did a great job with the clues.”
Martin recommends that each team have at least one fully charged smartphone — and a spirit of adventure.
“I think everyone’s really going to enjoy the things we have lined up for them,” she said.
Sara Bruestle: 425-339-3046; sbruestle@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @sarabruestle.
Amazing Race Mukilteo
The second annual Mukilteo Chamber of Commerce race starts at 9 a.m. July 15 at Kamiak High School, 10801 Harbour Pointe Blvd., and finishes at noon at the Diamond Knot Production Brewery & Taproom, 4602 Chennault Beach Road. An awards party is scheduled for 12:15 p.m.
Be the first team of two to finish six challenges inspired by “The Amazing Race” TV show to win $250. Challenges are designed to test teams physically, mentally or creatively. Each team must have at least one smartphone and a vehicle to drive to and from each challenge. You must be 16 or older to play. Water and snacks will be provided. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes.
Advance registration is $50 per team or $60 the day of the event and includes two T-shirts and drink tickets. Day-of registration is from 8:30 to 8:45 a.m. Race slots limited to 50 teams.
For more information or to sign up, call 425-347-1456 or go to www.mukilteochamber.com/amazingrace.
Next Generation: Mukilteo
The group is for young professionals and the “young at heart” who work for a business in the greater Mukilteo area.
Learn more about Next Generation: Mukilteo at a young professionals event from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at Rosehill Community Center, 304 Lincoln Ave., Mukilteo. Mix and mingle with other like-minded professionals in the county and find out about each group’s missions and visions. Hosted by Economic Alliance of Snohomish County and Leadership Snohomish County.
Cost is $5 and includes appetizers and your first drink. For more information, go to www.economicalliancesc.org.
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