The Hunt Is On
So you think you know your way around Honolulu? Put your knowledge to the test along with friends, family or co-workers in the annual 5K CitySolve Race. MidWeek readers receive a special discount price when registering online
You’re by Ward and your clue for where to go is: Sounds Fishy. So, where do you go?
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If you answered Wahoo’s Fish Taco, you just completed one of the clues from a past CitySolve Urban Race, where teams race around the city while trying to solve 10 different clues to get to the finish.
Founded in 2005 in Arizona under the name High Trek Adventure, CitySolve has since grown to events in about 20 cities across the country, with some cities having two races. The first CitySolve in Honolulu was in 2010, and each year there are about 250 people entered. This year, CitySolve Honolulu takes place Saturday, March 22, at 11:30 a.m., with Dave & Buster’s as the starting point.
“We usually say CitySolve is a mash up of pub trivia and the Amazing Race,” explains Chris Fox, marketing associate. “We try to make the clues unGoogleable, but I wouldn’t say it’s difficult because it’s a team event. They also can use their smartphones or mobile devices to solve the clues. They can carry a GPS. We don’t prohibit those things. And then to prove they arrived at each clue, they take a photo with their team at each location.
“It’s just a super fun and memorable one-day experience, where participants get to learn about their city.”
Some clues also include an activity, such as tasting samples of food or refreshments, answering a trivia question, or going to a yoga studio. If you get stuck on a clue, you’re allowed one pass as long as it’s not indicated as a mandatory clue.
Teams can consist of two to four people of any age, fitness level or intelligence. In the past, there have been teams made up of families, friends and co-workers.
Prizes include a $300 cash prize for the winning team. There also are prizes for second- and third-place finishers, as well as special categories such as Best Facebook Post, Best Twitter Post, Best Costumes, etc.
According to Fox, the course from start to finish is about 5K (3.1 miles), and the first team usually finishes in about an hour-and-a-half. Participants only can travel by foot or public transit, such as TheBus. Not allowed are bicycles, mopeds or a driver service.
Cost to register is $40 to $60 per person. MidWeek readers can enter promo code MIDCSHON2014 for a discounted fee of $20 per person. Register online at citysolveurbanrace.com by 2 p.m. March 21, or in-person on race day. In addition to its popular urban scavenger hunts, CitySolve also runs urban race and corporate team-building events.
Each CitySolve race also benefits a local charity. For the second year in a row, CitySolve Honolulu has partnered with Make-A-Wish Hawaii, and will be donating a portion of its proceeds to the nonprofit organization.
