Put your speed, skills and smarts to the test Sunday as the city launches its first Great Mason Chase.
Part suburban scavenger hunt and part endurance sport, the four-hour competition pits teams of two in a race to become the “Top Chasers” of Mason.
Chasers run, bike or walk from clue to clue at area Mason businesses, city landmarks or parks to advance to the next station — and one step closer to the finish line.
There are two ways to win: Be the first team to complete 10 of 35 challenges or complete the most challenges in four hours.
Mason Community Center Wellness Supervisor Kelly Burchett is the brainchild behind the event. She was inspired by Chicago’s City Chase, where competitors use teamwork and resourcefulness to search for challenges scattered throughout the Windy City.
“I thought it would be something fun to bring to Mason, especially with our unique downtown area,” said Burchett. “People are really excited.”
The event highlights 28 participating Mason businesses, the city’s park system, Community Center and other local landmarks.
Open to participants ages 12 and up, the 35 challenges are designed to appeal to chasers both young and old, fit and not so fit and locals and non-locals, said Burchett.
While some of the challenges require physical heft, such as rolling a tractor tire up a hill, others require a more cerebral flex, such as trivia questions or crafting an ice cream sundae in a certain way.
“It’s physical, mental, a little bit of everything, ” said Burchett. “[Chasers] can do challenges that are in their comfort zone.”
An awards ceremony and after-party culminates with the final concert in the city’s Sunshine Concert series at 6 p.m., with local band Jab performing cover Rock hits at the Mason Municipal Center.
Trophies and prizes will be awarded to the top men’s, women’s and coed teams, and to the top 55-and-older team.
Organizers say they’ve had a good response to the event so far and hope to make the event an annual one in Mason.
“I think that once people get a taste of it, they’ll want it more and more every year,” said Burchett.
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