Thanks to the 400 participants from 18 different states who competed in our 2nd annual Great Urban Race Chicago! 

 

Teams ventured out into Chicago and took part in a boot camp, found the Blues Brothers, and told a joke on one of Chicago's famous sketch comedy stages!

 

We're already excited to return to Chicago in 2009!  What a great city for a Great Urban Race!

 

Great costumes and a fun spirit was on display again!  Derrek Lyons and Andrew Noble of Team ManBearPig (6th place in 2007) won in a time of 1:43.

 

 

2nd place went to Alexander Lurie and Aza Quinn-Brauner for Team Chicago in 1:49.

 

 

Tim Wipert and Ryan Kole of Team Wipeout took 3rd place.

 

Best Costume went to Bucktown Buddies (Sara Strell and Cameron Kunkel as Sara and Bristol Palin).

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago participants say...

 

"This was absolutely one of the most fun events I have ever participated in. Keep it up!!!"

 

"I had an awesome time! Much more fun than City Chase."

 

"One of the most fun and exciting competitions I have ever been in."

 

"I will definitely participate next year and get as many friends as possible to race as well!
My partner and I didn't enter to win but to have fun and we were not disappointed at all.
Thanks to all of the staff and volunteers who made the day so amazing. They were all very friendly and fun."

 

"My sister and I had a great time, you don't have to be a fitness fantatic to have fun."

 

"This was a great event. Keep up the good work!"

 

"Sooooo much fun!"

 

"I love the show Amazing Race, so I was counting on this to be a mini-Chicago version of that and you didn't disappoint, in my opinion!! We were beat tired, but we had an absolute blast and I can't wait until 2009!!"

 

"It was a blast!!! I can't wait until next year's event!"

 

"Great time and well run."

 

"Very fun - liked how you brought Chicago staples into the mix. Blues Bros - Ferris movie etc."

 

"We had a great time and will being doing next year."

 

"My friend and I had a great time! We will most likely participate next year, and try to recruit friends, as well."

 

"WOW, we were very tired and had lots of laughs!!"

 

"This was our second GUR, and both have been a great time!"

 

"It was a blast!"

 

"Great time, a really fun way to spend 2:15 of my life."

 

"Every clue was something that could be completed by anyone with a little thought or creativity. It was fair, challenging and loads of fun."

 

"I've already recruited a ton of people for next year. hurry back!!!!!!"

 

"It was a blast! It was challenging without being impossible."

 

"We didn't even finish, but had tons of fun and laughed the whole way. I'd recommend it to anyone, even people TERRIBLE with direction like ourselves!!!!"

 

"I thought it was a great experience - it truly challenged me mentally and physically. Next year we will definitely strategize a little more beforehand to determine which detour options we're going to do from the very beginning. Overall, I had a blast!"

 

"Loved it! Make it even sillier next year!"

 

"It was really a lot of fun. This was my second time doing a great urban race, and it seems to keep getting better and better!"

 

"Great Job! We had a blast."

 

"GUR=awesome"

 

 

Champion's Interview (Team ManBearPig):

 

 

What was your overall race strategy?

 

Go, and go fast.  We just wanted to run fast everywhere. Have you ever run fast?  Probably not huh?  Well, I am fast and that was our strategy.  Oh and also we looked at clues and strategized on our way to other clues.  We used strategy.

 

Did you study anything before the race.  If so, what? 

 

Derek studied Kama Sutra and Tantric, but that didn't really help.  I read a book on Tip O'Neill and that was even less helpful.  So, I guess, no - we didn't.

 

Did you have any arguments?

 

Yeah, with my girlfriend.  She wanted me to go with her and her parents somewhere today and I said no.  Big argument, but at least I got first.

 

How do you know each other?

 

Personally.

 

Which clue did you do first? Why?

 

The drill instructor clue.  We were on our way to the zoo and North Avenue Beach and randomly saw them standing there, so we stopped.  Pretty good, huh?

 

Do you have any secrets to your success?

 

Know the city streets well and have good phone-a-friends.  Also, just be awesome.  We're pretty awesome guys and I think our awesomeness helped us get awesome first place.  Awesome, right?

Seriously, great clues this year - keep it up!!!

 

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

# denotes team received a penalty

 

**1st - Man Bear Pig (1:43) - Derrek Lyons and Andrew Noble

**2nd - Team Chicago (1:49) - Alexander Lurie and Aza Quinn-Brauner

**3rd - Wipe Out (1:50) - Tim Wipert and Ryan Kole

*4th - Dynamic Duo 08 (1:56) - Bridget Walsh and Andre Pabarue

*5th - Let's Hog It Out (1:58) - Lance Avery and Larry Davis

*6th - Hank and Tina (1:58) - Brian and Karen Riley

*7th - The Illini Brothers (2:00) - William and Corey Levin

*8th - I Love Beer (2:03) - Jeanne Landolt and Dennis Masel

*#9th - Jam Kabam (2:04) - Molly Conneen and Julia McAvoy

*10th - Station Wagon Survivors (2:05) - Michelle and Amy Dooley

*11th - Racers X (2:08) - Krissy Wennerstrom and Andrea Galligan

*12th - Rabbit and Turtle (2:08) - Fina Espinoza nad Robert Coffey

*13th - Joanna and Christine (2:09) - Joanna Martino and Christine Buchheit

*14th - A-team (2:10) - Danny Reeves and R.J. Inawat

*15th - Street Sweepers (2:10) - Karin Sehring and Julie Sajtar

*16th - Jeff Murdock (2:12) - Ellen Ryan and Gretchen Hause

*17th - Bucktown Buddies (2:13) - Cameron Kunkel and Sara Strell

*18th - Victorious Secret (2:13) - Tom Teague and Erika Luppo

*19th - We Like Cheese! (2:15) - Susan Pope and Laura Whiteis

*20st - Furr-ocious (2:16) - Debbie and John Muller

*21th - Two Wuehler (2:16) - Mike and Andrew Wuehler

*22nd - The Slowskys (2:17) - Tyler and Michele Cottingham

*23rd - The Wonderful Keving Hall (2:17) - Joseph Kenney and Sophie Lek

*24th - B&J Bodan (2:17) - Beth and James Bodan

*25th - Team Fritz (2:18) - Benjamin Missele and Carrie Stitt

26th - Monkey Madness (2:18) - Sheilah Gleason and Keving Wasielewski

27th - Der Stuka (2:18) - Marc Sher and Jason Ginsberg

28th - Ball Don't Like (2:19) - Courtne Schutz and Ian Overway

29th - em'n'm (2:19) - Michael Czuba and Emily Marshall-Wallenta

30th - Team Bluey (2:20) - Ariel Achcraft and Eric Schall

31st - LC/RC (2:21) - Lori Trampas and Michelle Erjavac

32nd - Drolly (2:22) - Andrea Bidlack and Holly Sedlacek

33rd - Oooteeney (2:22) - Robert and Sara Rudolph

34th - OP Bikers (2:24) - Mike and Rita Ruffner

35th - Rhymenocerous and the Hiphopopotamus (2:24) - Meghan Beltmann and Scott Ozaroski

36th - Vandelay Industries (2:24) - Kevin and Holly Lauzze

37th - Last Call (2:27) - Chris Earing and Jaime Earing

38th - Cheek to Cheek (2:27) - Mark Eklund and Gina Caneva

39th - Silver Streaks (2:28) - Lisa McNerey and ALexis Berry

40th - Ramrod (2:30) - Lauren and Alex Taylour

41st - Champions of the Sun (2:31) - Matthew Costello and Christopher Ostoich

42nd - Hoffman Hangovers (2:32) - Michael Duffy and Ron Koilbassa

43rd - Brainforest (2:35) - Nils Bunde and Jennifer Huston

44th - Team Ginger (2:36) - ALice Kelly and Nicole Lebeda

45th - Dumfel (2:37) - Dan Dumford and Al Leffel

46th - Lincoln Lancers (2:37) - David Cox and Emily Gadola

47th - Team Chesley (2:38) - Lesley Herald and Chetan Rangaswamy

48th - Dorking it Out Huge (2:39) - Bill and Dave Harvey

#49th - 10 years Running (2:40) - Liz and Matt Hunt

50th - Leffords (2:40) - Meg Leffel and Katie Dumford

51st - Out of the Loop (2:40) - Jack adn Carolyn Kahler

#52nd - Hungry Door (2:41) - Christopher Bremer and Lindsay Tomlinson

53rd - Prom King and Queen (2:42) - Randy Covert and Tanya Ashur

#54th - Stone Solo (2:42) - Stephanie and Anthony McAndrew

55th - Team Ketch-up (2:42) - Sharon and Chris Frye

56th - The Gang Runs a Race (2:43) - MMark Patterson and Kerek Kozlowski

#57th - You Me and Asian Baby Makes Three! (2:46) - John Ashworth and Keving Romero

58th - Partners in Crime (2:46) - Pearl Sykes and Bethanie Legare

59th - Figner Lickin' Good (2:46) - Chelsea and Terry Heffelfinger

60th - WeeM Team (2:46) - Scott Chupack and Janet Century

61st - Year of the Hourse (2:48) - Mike and Sevila Schiml

62nd - Urban Cowboys (2:48) - David Tabriz and Chris Giragosian

63rd - Team B (2:49) - Tim and Kate Burgener

64th - The Schur-burbanites (2:49) - Lori and David Schur

65th - Freak Flag (2:50) - Joni and Mike Rank

66th - To the Max (2:52) - Alicia Poluga and Dave McKnight

67th - Pistols of Fire (2:52) - Rochelle Gonzales and Kristy Shores

68th - Are WeThere Yet (2:52) - Sandy Mead and Leah Carlin

69th - KALPAK (2:52) - Vinod Kalathil and Margaret Pak

70th - The Bad News Bandits (2:52) - Shannon Pohl and Sarah Marshall Straveler

#71st - Forgettable Dishwater (2:54) - Mindy Hubbard and Ted Drozd

72nd - KATO (2:57) - Stephen Burgener and Kathleen Bernard

73rd - Cheez Whiz (2:58 ) - Hanna Aronovich and Fred Wu

74th - Merkin Mayhem (3:00) - Joann Lee and JD Barney

75th - Damerica (3:00) - Erica Lundsten and Damon Shearer

76th - Wrigley Soldiers (3:00) - Sara Alice Mackey and Tanya Reyes

77th - Wrigley Soldiers (3:00) - Karla Kannan and Neil Breukelman

78th - Not FISH (3:01) - Joshua Erdman and Cathy DeVito

79th - Tackett Urban Racing Duo (3:01) - Nathan and Jason Tackett

80th - Team Kruse (3:01) - Matt and Dawn Kruse

81st - Drop That Mon-key (3:03) - Holly Bard and Kenneth Hayden

82nd - Speculoos (3:04) - Katie Portilla and Kaitlin Kolka

83rd - Baseball Fans Unite (3:06) - Michelle Henry and Beth Kinsella

84th - DA SELFS (3:07) - Margie and Bruce Self

85th - The Assassinators (3:08) - Candace Blattner and Kathryn Paspalas

86th - Team Popeye (3:09) - Wendy Cintron and Neil Pellicci

87th - Wild Duce (3:09) - Kristee Jackson and Stacy Jahnke

88th - Gotta Run (3:09) - Kristy and Greg Choate

89th - J Squared (3:10) - Jill Fabiano and Joey McDonald

#90th - Hot Dogs with Ketchup (3:11) - Carrie Smith and Avni Soni

91st - Troop 305  (3:11) - Jennifer Uptmor and Jennifer Uptmor

#92nd - Running Down a Dream (3:12) - Patricia and Bill Sheridan

93rd - Bone Crusher (3:13) - Dan Jameson and Jennifer Smith

94th - Sandbaggers (3:14) - Dave Cusick and Shannon Murphy

95th - Birthday Boyz (3:14) - Gred Elsnic and Chad O'Connor

96th - Terrible Twins (3:14) - Moira Hughes and Maureen Garavan-Oskielunas

97th - Belle (3:15) - Kim Kurth and Amy Murphy

98th - 2 Lost Chicks (3:15) - CarrieAnn Hill and Jeanne Cosgrove

#99th - The Cowhunters (3:17) - Teal Spencer and Justin Weidemann

100th - Turkeypotpies (3:17) - Stan Takaki and Laurel Sindelar

101st - PUMP IT UP (3:17) - Jacklyn Self and Benjamin Roders

102nd - Pooh Homies (3:17) - Melissa Tanner and Seemi Siddiqui

#103rd - Los Pinguinos (3:18) - Stephanie and Steve Sinchak

104th - Got Chicago? (3:20) - Caroline Nehls and Katherine Benes

105th - Veni Vidi Vici (3:21) - Jeanrose and Angel Lim

106th - Big City Lawyers (3:22) - Brian Knutson and Vicky Arnett

107th - Thundercats (3:22) - Tim Watson and Bethany Jones

108th - PB & J - (3:22) - Katie Hicks and Bryan Horan

109th - Tee'd Off (3:22) - Ryan and Brad Mudschenk

110th - Frans (3:23) - Megan Orr and Margaret Paspalas

111th - Small & Mighty (3:24) - Karie Torroll and Jason Cocco

112th - Team Skyscraper (3:26) - Dave Clauson and Lara Minetz

113th - The Sock Monkeys (3:26) - Brent Newcomb and Carly Domin

114th - jouphro (3:27) - Ellie Bahrmasel and Matt Altstiel

115th - Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum (3:27) - Anna Englert and Jerry Jurinek

116th - Ape (3:27) - Arthur Minetz and Bryce Faulkner

#117th - Road Kill (3:28) - Taryn McCandless and Brian Hartman

118th - Super Friend (3:28) - Kristin Gabrys and Eileen Spangler

119th - Plate Full of Bacon (3:28) - Leslie Awe and Mose Roberts

120th - L7 Weenies (3:28) - Elizabeth Bolger and Lloyd Waterloo

121st - Exceeds Expectations (3:28) - Kaitlyn Brenner and Kimberly Arndt

#122nd - Team Hell Yeah (3:29) - Amanda and Brian Hellyer

123rd - Teamo Supremo! (3:29) - Catherine Duncan and Jennifer Zanella

124th - Slo'n Steady (3:31) - Michele McGee and Coquette Collins

125th - QUASH Cuties (3:31) - Cathy Kestler and Lynn DeHoyos

#126th - Pam & Tommy (3:32) - Jesse Dyer and Sharon Eatmon

#127th - Rafting Babies (3:35) - Dana Trunnell and Amanda Dodd

128th - Da Sox (3:36) - William Pierce and William Pierce

129th - ArvaMont SH (3:37) - Newenka Dumont and Tasha Arvanitis

130th - Jackturtle (3:38) - Kathleen Hutchison and Jill Clements

131st - Folan/Mangelsdorf (3:39) - Joyce Mangelsdorf and John Folan

132nd - Oops we over slept! (3:40) - Justin Dusek and Jeremiah Johnson

133rd - Rolling Trentas (3:42) - Stehpanie Montgomery and Craig Turay

#134th - More Cowbell (3:43) - Adam Wrgiht and Kari Kremp

135th - The Renegades (3:47) - Karolyn Leonard and Jennifer Kempiak

136th - Green Extreme (3:47) - Don Marta and Laura Schaeflein

137th - Team Bonini (3:48) - Catherine and David Bonini

138th - The Wombats (3:49) - Patrick and Nancy Mundschenk

139th - Vermicious Knids (3:51) - Nancy Williams and Erica Gunderson

140th - Think Tank (3:52) - Wendy Rabas and Brenda Burton

141st - The Flyin'Illini (3:53) - Matt and Jen Longino

142nd - GET CRACKIN' (3:54) - Jeremy Bonsol and Allison Conrad

143rd - Battleship Texas (3:56) - John Billimek and Roland Gonzales

#144th - Sisters in the City (3:58) - Becca and Chrissy Dolan

#145th - Fluffy's Angels (3:58) - Padmini Kanive and Apurva Mody

146th - Manic Shards (4:00) - Chris Allen and Smantha Shirk

147th - The Lost Boys (4:00) - PJ Kirkpatrick and Mike Alt

148th - M&M Sisters (4:01) - Joie Marshall and Eydie Myszka

149th - Cake or Death (4:01) - JC Chupack and Lori Teresi

150th - The Organizers (4:02) - Nicole Blaze and Jamie Elms

151st - Moteezy (4:04) - Rita Gonzalez and Mo Hussain

152nd - Team Twomey (4:04) - Vicki and Matt Twomey

#153rd - Nor Cal (4:05) - Nicole Pierce and Craig Orr

154th - Not Lost Just Wandering (4:06) - Michelle and Eugene Hulscher

155th - Stretch the Neckless Giraffe (4:07) - Christine Feller and Matt Lucas

156th - Team a.m. (4:07) - Amanda and Michael Raila

157th - Are We There Yet! (4:08) - Gary and Diana Hromi

158th - Victorious Secret (4:11) - Melissa and Brandon Mundschenk

159th - Stay Tue 4 Next Episode (4:16) - Alyssas Schroeder and Kari Prigge

160th - Come on Warrenville (4:21) - Renee Marotto and Janet Kempiak

161st - The Chicago-Buffalo Connection (4:22) - Diane Mancuso and Peggy Kuligowski

162nd - TerRia (4:24) - Maria and Terry Smith

#163rd - Goatbusters (4:25) - Sabrina Schumann and John Van Den Hende

164th - Flossie's Kids (4:28) - Melving and Mary Belton

165th - STL Women (4:28) - Carrie Walker and Amy Ribick

166th - New Girls on the Block (4:31) - Christina Disterhaft and Julia Flak

167th - Messed Up (4:33) - Maria and Greg Metzler

168th - Flan Girls (4:33) - Francisca Olmedo-Estrada and Sonia Oyola-White

169th - Triple Trouble (4:35) - Joe and Lori Bonefas

170th - The Attitudes (+ and -) (4:35) - Joe and Debbie Trattner

171st - Rashing (4:47) - Sarah deGuia and Jeremy Kessenich

172nd - yaua (4:49) - Ryan Oldham and Bob Wilson

173rd - 3 hour tour (4:53) - Carol and Elissa Lawhorn

174th - Team Disney (4:54) - Daniel and Katelyn Lawhorn

175th - The Stoners (4:55) - Erica Lawhorn and John Weger

176th - MIcGeorge (4:57) - Michelle and George Ellis

#177th - Bamm Chicka Bamm (5:00) - Lynn Jacobson and Courtney Roe

#178th - Soutome Racing (5:00) - Carla and David Jacko

#179th - 2KoolChix (5:00) - Treshel Washington and Michelle Piegaro

#180th - The Morey Team (5:00) - Chris and Anne Morey

#181st - Pie Eyed (5:00) - Jennifer Higgins and Adriana Gladem

182 (18 DNFs coming soon)

183

184

185

186

187

188

189

190

191

192

193

194

195

196

197

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199

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