Think on the Run

Mind, Body & Spirit: Urban Challenge is a unique urban adventure that is accessible, yet quite challenging for competitors of all skill levels and ages. In Urban Challenge, strength in mind, body, and spirit are keys to success.

A facile mind is critical because starting position is determined based on how your team does in the Trivia Challenge.
   The checkpoint locations are hidden in clues, puzzles, and equations. Being fleet of foot is not important if you don't know where you are going.
   The facile mind must also determine the route your team will take. No marked course exists in Urban Challenge. Riding the bus offers valuable time to solve checkpoint clues but a quicker route may exist if your team "hoofs it." The facile mind must make all these decisions for the team.

A strong body helps the team because traveling to these checkpoints requires physical effort. For the most competitive teams, if you are not on the bus, you are running.

A strong spirit is most important of all. In Urban Challenge, each team will have setbacks along the way. Whether it is stating position, a missed clue, a poor route decision, or a foolish mistake, each team will have to face its mistakes and move past them.

Urban Challenge is unlike most events because the leaders will not know they are in the lead until they reach the finish line. It's easy to run faster when you are out in front. Urban Challenge does not offer that emotional crutch. Urban Challenge is the ultimate test of mind, body and spirit.

Do You Qualify?

Although no formal qualifications exist for Urban Challenge, use this page to make sure you're up to the task.

Who should be a Challenger?

  • Runners ready for a change:
    How many times can you run the same race? Wouldn't it be nice to be challenged again? Try a race where the course isn't set!
  • Trivia buffs:
    We say "think on the run" for a reason. Finding checkpoint locations and obtaining a better starting time is based on how well you answer questions and solve clues. Thick folk will lose or not even finish — just like real life!
  • The Unchallenged:
    Is life just floating by like a barge on the river? Are you tired of merely watching? Urban Challenge will push your limits.
  • Parents and teens:
    Urban Challenge is an opportunity for mom and dad to reconnect with their teenager and vice versa.

How good of shape do I need to be in?

Urban Challenge is quite challenging, but accessible to people of varying fitness levels. To participate and successfully complete the course, you need not be a runner or even particularly fit. Every team competes at the highest level they can muster. Almost all challengers will sprint until they can only run, run until they can only jog, and then jog until they can only walk. But even those who begin the course walking can compete with the fastest runners if they have the ability to think quickly on their feet.
   The biggest hurdle for anyone considering Urban Challenge is overcoming fear of the unknown and participating in a fresh, unique event where the outcome is uncertain and the challenges are not described in detail prior to the event.
   For anyone who competes, the primary challenge is "Can your team successfully complete the course?" Once a team answers that challenge, it becomes a question of how quickly they can do it. Participating is the only way to find out.

How well do I need to know the city?

It doesn't hurt, but the "I-know-the-city" advantage is way overstated. A smart team with a good map and a working knowledge of the transit system can compete with the "homeys." Don't forget — it's an adventure.