Amazing Race contestants advise pick a good partner
The best preparation for contestants in the upcoming Amazing Race Clearview, Small Halls Edition, is life, according to Olivia Curto. Curto, together with fellow Amazing Race Canada alumni Julia Viola will be the hosts when competitors head out on the course on Oct. 25.
Curto said physical conditioning is important, but contestants have to be very flexible because race organizers can throw anything at you.
“There could be dancing and singing challenges and challenges where you have to memorize things. Fitness and conditioning help, but they’re not everything,” she said.
Viola adds that the most important preparation is to choose the right teammate.
“You never know what the challenges are so it’s important to have a partner that you get along with, that you can work together well with and who is supportive to help you get back into the game when you are feeling down,” she said.
Viola and Curto agree that the toughest challenge they faced on Season 10 of Amazing Race Canada was the grain bin challenge. The goal was to find a clue hidden in a load of grain.
“It was so deep it was up past our knees,” said Viola, “and we didn’t know if we were pushing the clue further down as we searched. With other challenges, you knew what you had to do but with the grain bin challenge it felt like there was no end in sight.”
Curto said it’s also important to take your time and pay very close attention to the instructions you are given at each challenge.
“You need to listen for hints because if you miss something and have to go back and ask questions, you need to start the challenge over,” she said.
Her advice is to take your time and take in all the instructions to avoid mistakes which can cost valuable time.
“Then you just have to try and fail if you must,” said Curto. “If you rush through you make mistakes and it takes longer than if you’d taken a few minutes to really understand the task.” Amanda Murray, Manager of Parks and Recreation for Clearview Township, said there has been a lot of interest since organizers spent the weekend at the Great Northern Exhibition talking it up. There is still limited availability for teams but the final cut-off for entries is Wednesday, Oct. 22.
“It’s a brand new component of the Small Halls Festival,” said Murray, “and people are really excited. The race is capped at 20 two-person teams with the entry fee $50 per person, including lunch and dinner.
Organizer Sonja McArthur said the actual challenges will remain a secret until competitors arrive at each venue but she notes there will be a grain bin challenge. Individual challenges will be held at ten different locations throughout the township with small halls taking centre stage.
“It is a race,” said McArthur, “so the actual challenges will be timed.” However, in the interest of safety, organizers have calculated safe travel time between venues and anyone found to be speeding or driving recklessly will be disqualified.
The day will wrap up with a costume party at Station on the Green featuring Elvis impersonator Lance Dobinson.
Tickets are on sale at www. smallhallsfestival.ca. Admission to the Amazing Race costs $50 per person and an additional $10 for the after-party, beginning at 8 p.m. Entry to the dance is $25. Pay at the door or online.
Bonnie MacPherson photo: Organizers of Amazing Race Clearview limber up in preparation for the Small Halls Festival event on Oct. 25, from left: Amanda Murray, Sonja McArthur, Olivia Curto, Robert McArthur, and Julia Viola.
