It rained and it poured, but that didn't stop 415 Atlantans from having a fun time!  From Midtown to downtown and up to Buckhead, drenched Great Urban Racers crisscrossed Atlanta eating GUR logo cookies, doing a fireman drill, having wheelbarrow races, and finding the GUR staff dressed in pink, among many other clues.

 

Thanks to all who participated in costume - you seem to be getting more creative by the race!

 

Thanks to the 18 people who traveled from out-of-state for the event!

 

Professor Plum's Posse (Julia Trapold and Mike Shalloway) and Colonel Mustard's Militia (Kelsey White and Aaron Pirrotta) raced brilliantly, working together from the get-go and taking first and second place in 2:15 and 2:16, respectively.

 

Four minutes later Downtowners finished to round out the top three.

 

Kudos to Brion and 10 year-old Reilly Friendman for finishing sixth place overall and 1st in the Family Division!

 

Congratulations to everyone who completed the race in the terrible weather conditions and to the top 25 teams for qualifying for the National Championship!

 

We're already looking forward to returning to Atlanta in 2009!

Atlanta racers say...

"Great time, volunteers were wonderful. Couldn't have been a better way to spend a rainy day in Georgia."

 

"I had a fabulous time! Everything was great. It was very well organized too. I'm looking forward to doing it again next year!"

 

"It was soo much fun, I am telling everyone that I know in all cities, so that they can participate. I will go to more than one city next year."

 

"Lots of fun - even with the torrential downpours!"

 

"We have figured out what our mistakes were and will be back to prove our worthiness of the championship! (If Amazing Race doesn't get us first...)"

 

"This was my second race this year, and both were very different but equally fun. Thanks for putting these races on."

 

"I really enjoyed this event."

 

"Thanks for bringing the GUR to Atlanta!"

 

"We had a great day. Very well organized."

 

"It really was one of the most fulfilling experiences I've had in my life. Even though we didn't qualify, it felt so good to actually finish the race and complete all of the tasks. Thanks for a great time GUR!"

 

"Thanks and I really had a great time even though the weather was aweful."

 

"Staff was great - very friendly and very helpful.  Thanks for a great event."

 

"Can't wait until next year!!"

 

"We had so much fun! We already told all our friends and highly recommended this event for next year. Everyone was jealous that we did it!"

 

"I thought it was so fun and very well-organized. I have told everyone I know about it, and lots of people want to give it a try next year. Good job!"

 

"It was well run by the staff. The clues were the right amount of challenging."

 

"It was a party. I wondered who did better those who drank before the race or those who waited until they finished. It definitely was more fun than the Peachtree Road Race my last running party."

 

"This was great fun. We were nowhere near the top 25, but we still had a blast, even with the rain. We will be back next year with hopefully better strategy and ready to beat the streets again - we only wish it wasn't a whole year!!!!"

 

"It was challenging and and very fun!"

 

"I really had an awesome time, and I am excited to do it again next year:)"

 

"This was my first GUR, and it was a blast."

 

"This was our first time participating in this type of event. We had a great time. Can't wait until next year!"

 

"Doing the race with my wife was awesome!"

 

"IT WAS AWESOME!!"

 

"The rain was grueling - but overall the experience was great!"

 

"A wonderful experience. I shall try again."

 

"It was such an absolute blast! Wish we could do it every weekend! Can't wait for you to come back!"

 

 

 

Champions Interview (Professor Plum's Posse):

 

What was your overall race strategy?

Map everything out first and then plan our route. We got on MARTA immediately and planned things out there.

 

Did you study anything before the race?

Looked over a few Atlanta landmarks, historical sites.  Printed out a few maps of Atlanta.

 

Did you have any arguments?

Only telling our teammates to run faster!

 

How do you know each other?

Friends of friends.

 

Which clue did you do first?  Why?

Picture of the Buckhead building.

 

Any secrets for your success you want to share?

We decided to pair up into two teams of two.  This helped a lot at the beginning when we were trying to solve the clues.

 

Official Results:

 

* denotes team qualifies to compete in Nationals

** denotes team qualifies to compete in Nationals and will receive free entry

^ denotes team competed in Family Division

 

**1st - Professor Plum's Posse (2:15) - Julia Trapold and Mike Shalloway

**2nd - Colonel Mustard's Militia (2:16) - Kelsey White and Aaron Pirrotta

**3rd - Downtowners (2:20) - Adam Shumaker and Jonathan Tillman

*4th - The Loathsome Sores (2:21) - Jesseca Kepper and Alex McDonald

*5th - Kehoe / Kimmel (2:21) - Leslie Kehoe and Sherri Kimmell

*^6th - Salty Penguins (2:24) - Brion and Reilly Friendman

*7th - Baby Poop (2:25) - Chris Gwinner and Hesham Abukhdeir

*8th - Wooka Power (2:29) - Amanda Szwast and Amy Weeks

*9th - Julie and Jen (2:38) - Jennifer Fease and Julie Reed

*10th - You Can Get There From Here (2:40) - John Duckworth and Kirk Willingham

*11th - JoeZ and the Pussycat (2:40) - Wendy Pollack and Joe Greenfeld

*12th - Great Urban Chuggers (2:49) - Glenn Braunstein and Bryan Coleman

*13th - Backsliders (2:50) - Joey Priel and Kelly Bost

*14th - Bofa Dese Nuts (2:50) - Stacy Coe and Linda Nutial

*15th - Team Beep (2:50) - Brittany Williams and Jeff Burnett

*16th - Schlef / McGuire (2:54) - Jamie Schlef and Tara McGuire

*17th - Yoga Ninjas (2:55) - Caroline Smith and Kara Wickman

*18th - Good Times (2:56) - Sturgill and Kilpatrick

*19th - Da Anamolies (2:56) - Hamed Aziz and Windy Spainhour

*20th - T&D Wellness (2:57) - David Orozco and Trisha Hardy

*21st - Wanderlusters (2:57) - Marilyn Shultz and Stephen Urbrock

*22nd - Strapt4cash (3:00) - Bron Dianich and Amber Schleuning

*23rd - The Pink Ladies (3:00) - Dana Sause and Valerie Nozick

*24th - Spider Pigs (3:00) - Dan Hourigan and Ruth Underwood

*25th - The Fast Lanes (3:04) - Kaitlin Lane and Steven Lane

*25th - Team Awesome (3:04) - Spencer Koch and Regan Young

27th - Superstars! (3:05) - Carrie Hintson and Bonnie Bassett

28th - Leach / Curtain (3:05) - Dave Leach and Mischelle Curtin

29th - 15 Pieces of Flair (3:05) - Anglea Cantor and Janet Meade

30th - Team Rod (3:05) - Chris Jordan and Jack McPherson

31st - North Avenue Trade School (3:09) - David Weathers and Ray Neal

32nd - Super Nintendo Chalmers (3:09) - John elliott and Bill Zeigler

33rd - D&G (3:11) - Devin Borden and Gary Brown

34th - Old Skool Nasty (3:11) - Sara Cott and Lindsay Handelsman

35th - Barbie Bandits (3:12) - Amber Jaric and Heather Cowhig

36th - Beer Naked (3:15) - Darrell Drogula and Claire Pate

37th - Beer Naked 2 (3:15) - William and Amy Lonergan

38th - Olorunyomies (3:15) - Scott Kitchens and Alyssa Coxwell

39th - Slow101 (3:16) - Lisa Strock and Monal Nabulsi

40th - Ninja Monkeys (3:16) - Heather Bradshaw and David Keeney

41st - The Oceanic Two (3:19) - Frank Lockwood and Heather Chapman

42nd - Pepe and Chi Chi (3:21) - Mary Odell and Brian Smith

43rd - Fitness Batalion 1 (3:22) - Wendy Saltzman and Mike Maddalena

44th - Falcoholics (3:25) - Jonathan Bailey and Brandon Barnes

45th - Give Peas a Chance (3:25) - Ben Lawder and Molly Freeman

46th - The Dikes of Hazard (3:25) - Susan Woodruff and Carolyn Bergier

47th - Whatever I'm Getting Cheese Fries (3:27) - Amber Wiley and Rebecca Millwood

48th - Lewis and Clarke (3:28) - Markysha Clarke and DeMario Clarke

49th - Team Loose (3:29) - Jennifer Jewell and Genevieve Langley

50th - Sloppy Seconds (3:29) - Eugenio Fernandez and Mariryan Heschmire

51st - Papa Smurf's Crew (3:30) - Heather Norton and Tripp Norton

52nd - WCM (3:31) - Cecilia and William Meijer

53rd - It's a Small Squirrel After All... (3:31) - Colin Kirkman and Carrie Gallagher

53rd - Runnin' Down a Dream (3:31) - Steve Selak and Luis Landinez

54th - Last Man Standing (3:33) - David Beasley and Megan Copeland

^55th - The Daniels (3:33) - Eric, Clara, Ryan, and Emily Daniels

56th - Bear Dragon (3:34) - Tony Yonnone and Partick Ouzts

57th - Explain This to Your Daughter (3:36) - Sean Sullivan and Kelly Teal

58th - The Bumble Goats (3:37) - Eric Scott and Callie Melton

59th - The Purple Stuff Next to the Sunny D (3:37) - Michael Kollenberg and Matthew Socha

60th - The Bobs (3:37) - Gregory and Lora Roberts

61st - The Little Sisters (3:37) - Meredith Middleton and Ansley Smith

62nd - Daddy Sez (3:38) - Clint Howell and Matt Sakowitz

63rd - 10 Feet 11 Inches of Fury (3:39) - Denise Johnston and Marcus Owens

^64th - Rebrab (3:40) - Scott Barber and Brandon Barber

65th - Race-Win-Eat (3:42) - Ron Grimes and Amy Wallas

66th - Murat & AJ (3:43) - Murat Sezer and Anjanette Grosvenor

67th - Team Trebor (3:44) - Robert Baitis and Sandy Smith

68th - Obama Is Our Dad (3:47) - Holly Symolon and Lisa Smith

69th - Lee / Locklear (3:47) - Ga Young Lee and Nicole Locklear

70th - Game Over (3:47) - Damien Hagedorn and Meghan Weiss

71st - Team Lost (3:47) - Chris Locklear and Risa Abramsky

72nd - The Fish Biscuits (3:48) - Sandra Sandoval and Jason Lenio

73rd - Cain & Abel (3:48) - Scott Oliver and Roger Zorn

74th - Omagosh (3:48) - Janet Shepherd and Jaime Leonard

75th - The Fast and the Curious (3:49) - Evan Conn and Judd Frank

76th - J & J's View from the Top (3:50) - Jody Stansell and Jennifer O'Connell

77th - Tillman / Bullock (3:52) - Janice Tillman and Annie Bullock

78th - Britney's Pink Wig (3:53) - Amy Unger and Sarah Brooks

79th - The Morgoons (3:54) - Kodi Marx and Chris Morgan

80th - The Montreal Canadiens (3:54) - Robin and Scott Hannah

81st - Jamanda (3:54) - Amanda Robinson and Jason Miraeh

82nd - Dharma Initiative (3:55) - Tom Aisthorpe and Lance Hammond

83rd - Shake-n-Bake (3:55) - Brian and Jill Henderson

84th - Laughing Heyenas (3:55) - Brandi Guy and Jason Bright

85th - Jorgenlips (3:56) - Marilyn Phillips adn Cory Jorgensen

86th - Highlanders (3:58) - David Reed and Sara Pheasant

87th - Unsafe at Any Speed (3:58) - Samra Fleschner and Jesseca Kepper

88th - Lewis / Lake (3:58) - Lisa Lewis and Kelly Lake

89th - Waugaman / Shaw (3:58) - Doreen Waugaman and Donna Shaw

90th - The E30s (4:01) - Robert Wilson and Rafydah Ramli

91st - First Place Losers (4:03) - Aileen Manzo and Paul Stevenson

92nd - The Mimosa's (4:03) - Kristie Workman and Lauren Carter

93rd - Spinsters (4:03) - Shea Crider and Donna Grizzard

94th - Bruening / Lamberson (4:04) - Stuart Bruening and Kyle Lamberson

95th - Blue Steel (4:04) - Matt Chesser and Rob Wilson

96th - Rocky & Ashley Wyatt (4:06) - Rocky and Ashley Wyatt

97th - Graceful Divas (4:10) - Cassandra Mills and Melanie Womack

^98th - Kings of Town (4:10) - Alan Wolper and Michael Wolper

99th - Marah (4:11) - Sarah Adams and Mary LeFevre

100th - JX2 (4:14) - Jessica Owen and Julia Dollar

^101st - Wha' Happened? (4:14) - Dave and David Nelson

102nd - T-Squared (4:14) - Robert Tretsch and Dawn Bennett

103rd - Dude and Dudette (4:14) - Helene Simon and Pedro Zapata

104th - Can't Put My Fenger On It (4:14) - Ingi Fenger and Deven Greene

105th - Jehovaha Fitness (4:15) - Steve Hankes and John Reblando

106th - Silent But Deadly (4:15) - Ellen Matthews and Stephanie Mma

107th - Sassy Sisters (4:16) - Katrina Spivey and Rhonda Vincent

108th - The Dominators (4:20) - Michele Bean and Tosin Okunoren

109th - Lost in Atlanta (4:20) - Rose Santangelo and Keith Freel

110th - Soul Searchers (4:20) - Gayle Kelly and Linda King

111th - The Morgan Blazers (4:21) - Shannon Hicks and Giulio Grandinetti

112th - My Sister's Team (4:24) - Kelley and Paula Napier

113th - Tenderoni's (4:24) - Luisa Huerta and Dustin Neff

114th - This Was a Good Idea Last Night (4:24) - Amy Bryson and Priscilla Howell

115th - Sic Area (4:24) - Andy Mashburn and Karen Lee

116th - Mere Chance (4:24) - Christopher and Meredith Hartley

117th - Sibert / Divera (4:25) - Dorothy Sibert and Jean Devera

118th - Team Hot Pockets (4:25) - Julie McReavy and Tracie Roberson

119th - Mama Said Knock You Out (4:26) - Betsy Robinson and BJ Rentfrow

120th - Team Thompson (4:27) - Laurin and Brandon Thompson

121st - Collins / Relihan (4:27) - Leslie Collins and Susan Relihan

122nd - Walser (4:28) - Kristi and Michael Walser

123rd - Shull (4:28) - Adam and Stacie Shull

124th - Justus (4:28) - Patrick Williams and Ricky Thomas

125th - Two Atlantans One Cup (4:30) - Cory Chapman and Chris Sams

126th - Afropinos (4:31) - Reynaldo and Josephine Green

127th - CAD Monkeys (4:32) - Clementine Sharpe and Julie Praser

128th - Porch Party 1 (4:32) - Tanya Oursler and Cricket Beach

129th - Porch Party 2 (4:32) - Ruth Meyer and Palmer Warner

130th - The Damn Yankees (4:33) - Valerie Antwerp and Jamie Coleman

131st - TIO's TIO (4:33) - Pamola Powell and Guy Lescault

132nd - Urban Hikers (4:33) - Debbie and Jeff Chapman

133rd - What the FLO! (4:35) - Alex and Anton Flores

134th - The Dharma Initiative (4:36) - Tamera Butler and Joyce Smith

135th - Formwalt's Curse (4:36) - Scott Lockhart and Chris Turner

136th - The Happy Couple (4:36) - Michael and Abby Peterson

137th - Hoffman / Loyd (4:38) - Debbie Hoffman and Helen Loyd

138th - Ruff Ryders (4:39) - Chantelle Owens and Teri Estle

139th - Charlie's Urban Angels (4:39) - Mary Crommelin and Sonya Russell

140th - Grezik / Niziurski (4:40) - Andrea Grezik and Tina Niziurski

141st - Hollister Girls (4:40) - Angela Hollister and Stephanie Brown

142nd - Lost Satellite Reception (4:42) - Trevor Carson and Amy Blumensaadt

^143rd - Team Tetsaiga (4:42) - Harold, Jackson, and Lyla Reed

144th - The Contractors (4:42) - David Zobel and Sherri Stevens

145th - Prelude to Marriage Counseling (4:42) - Mandy and Kevin Mooney

146th - The Flying Squirrels (4:42) - Bill and Kimberly Turner

147th - Barr Bandits (4:44) - Todd and Diane Barr

148th - Veal Cutlet (4:46) - Judy Rice and Jane Bedingfield

149th - The Money Beets (4:46) - Jenna Beingfield and Kristen Sweeney

150th - Team Shrader (4:46) - Chuck and Brian Scrader

151st - Promethean (4:46) - Scott and Candy Anderson

152nd - Team Webert (4:47) - Nicholas and Shannon Webert

153rd - Hide and Go Seekers (4:51) - Alice Hogan and Sharon Hudson

154th - Glascoe Girls (4:51) - Christie Crowder and Kelly Williams

155th - The Rule of Two (4:59) - Conan Link and Caroline Doksansky

156th - Stevenson / Lester (4:59) - Nancy Stevenson and Tim Lester

157th - Celtic Rush (5:00) - Padraig O'Dea and Ann O'Dea

158th - My Leslie (5:00) - James and Teresa Leslie

159th - Stair / Bennett (5:00) - Jeff Stair and Darius Bennett

160th - The Buckets (5:00) - Karen St. Marie and Elizabeth Tyler

161st - Team Deus ex Machina (5:00) - Sven Hagen and Tom Kaye

162nd - Erk's Eagles (5:00) - Brian and Teri Brennan

163rd - GatorGals (5:00) - Lynn Nielson and Alicia Williams

164th - Balande Walking (5:00) - Robert Bozgoz and Lee Smith

165th - The Bees (5:00) - Melanie Kent and Kari Hunt

166th - Team Veron (5:00) - Connie and David Veron

167th - Team Bonzai (5:00) - Jaimie Johnson and Mark Johns

168th - Cali (5:00) - Amy DeFriese and Reid Tenkley

169th - The Amazing Dates (5:00) - Carolyn Ponte and Carolyn Ponte

170th - KC & the Sunshine (5:00) - Kylan and Corrine Williams

171st - Superstars! (5:00) - Carrie Hintson and Bonnie Bassett

172nd - Who Knows! (5:00) - Teresa Teasley and Elaine Karol

173rd - Team X (5:00) - Timothy and Lisa Maguire

174th - Westmoreland / Tuschl (5:00) - Shirley Westmoreland and Carol Tuschl

175th - Yobuti (5:00) - Erin and Marc Brachman

176th - Nothing But a Good Time (5:00) - Mark Meister and Carin Peretta

177th - Viscious and Delicious (5:00) - Julie Walz and Anupama Shetti

^178th - Pro-Strolleres (5:00) - Dana and Erin Prostrollo

179th - Georgia Peaches Lookin' For Beaches (5:00) - Christy Bissell and Shanna Dent

^180th - The Pylons (5:00) - Heidi Williams and Tia Prostrollo

181st - Lady & the Champ (5:00) - Jonathan Lindsay and Nikita Lindsay

182nd - Sotally Tober (5:00) - Jason Eades and Stuart Bracken

183rd - The Snapdragon-O's (5:00) - Anna Leard and Stephanie Johnson

184th - We Poop Blue Too (5:00) - Krista Dowling and Colin Goodrich

185th - Sushi (5:00) - Meka Urriola and Anthony Hunt

186th - Goddess Alliance (5:00) - Jessica Bentley and Keshia Gibson

187th - Lockett / Doroh (5:00) - Kelly Lockett and Janet Doroh

188th - Team Irie (5:00) - Ben and Marnie Kaplan

189th - Twisted Sisters (5:00) - Nancy Hatfield and Susan Morris

190th - Shadow Squad (5:00) - Zach Ramsey and Matt Pavlick

191st - E.I.E.I.  Oh! (5:00) - Jana Fagotti and Suzanne Piehl

192nd - Team Brisco (5:00) - Drew Waddell and Lisa Lin

193rd - Kind of a Big Deal (5:00) - Robb Grandish and Sara Ellis

194th - Desi Vols (5:00) - Shailesh Desai and Jay Patel

195th - Buckhead Betties (5:00) - Anna Wynne and Claire Costanza

196th - Daaaaaangs! (5:00) - CJ Shrader and Anna Bentley

197th - BITCHEZ! (5:00) - Mack Headrick and Lucretia Johnson

198th - Tortoise and the Hare (5:00) - Joseph Heithaus and Crystal Collett

199th - The All Seuss (5:00) - Elizabeth Lewis and Garland Reid

200th - Shadow Ninjas (5:00) - Amy Rogers and Matt Cushma

201st - Ghazvini (5:00) - Layla and Alisa Ghazvini

202nd - Crawley (5:00) - Runnin' Down a Dream - Steve Selak and Lucho Landinez

203rd - Team Chapman (5:00) - Lucinda and Katie Chapman

204th - Team Berry Dingle (5:00) - Steinbecker and Ernest

205th - Slackers! (5:00) - Misorek and Starck