Race challenges body and mind
By Daily Press staff
More than 100 people went on the assault in the urban jungle known as Los Angeles this past weekend during an adventure race that tested their skills on the Big Wheel as well as their knowledge of local landmarks.
The Urban Assault Race is a combination of an adventure race, scavenger hunt and bike race. For the past two years, the event has been the biggest adventure race in the country. And this past weekend’s Westside race was the first of the series.
Competitors biked through Santa Monica, Venice and Marina del Rey as they completed challenges along the way. Teams of two raced through the city to reach checkpoints where they performed physical and mental challenges.
Checkpoints were listed on www.urbanassaultrace.com before the race. Racers picked their own course to the checkpoints, which in any order. The first team to complete all the checkpoint challenges and return to start/finish won the race.
The standard race distance is approximately 20 miles and includes up to 10 checkpoints, plus the final challenge at the finish. The family division is for kids, ages 7 to 12, and their parents or guardians. The family division participants hit five checkpoints and ride about 10 miles.
Teams must complete physical and mental challenges at each checkpoint. They may include adult Big Wheels, obstacles on foot, scooters, BMX bikes, Slip N’ Slides, bouncy balls, ropes, kayaks, balance obstacles and more.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 29, 2006. Read the original PDF.