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THE HUNT'S BACK ON
For this amazing race, you needed a lifeguard, a pig on a weathervane and a penny minted between 1984 and 1994. MORE

RUDD SENDS TEAMS ON ULTIMATE QUEST, BUSES, FOR CHARITY
Fans of the hit CBS show "Amazing Race" -- or anyone who likes a challenge -- can compete Sunday in Long Beach's version: Ultimate Quest. MORE

g AN URBAN ADVENTURE CHALLENGE
Charity Won this Hi-Tech Urban Scavenger Hunt Through Long Beach

	dClick photo for more info

In addition to a prize package that included chocolates and a case of Red Bull energy drinks, the winning team got to donate 50% of all the teams' combined entry fees to their charity-of-choice. The winning team -- dubbed "Team Lost" -- was Angi Carelli, 40, and Mark Callahan, 34, both from Long Beach.  The charity they played for was Long Beach's monthly "30-Minute Beach Cleanup."  The other 50% of entry fees goes to the nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team that organized this event, as well as other environmental projects, youth and adult spelling bees, Haute Dog events, and other Long Beach-area youth events.

THE RACE on July 17, 2006 through the streets of Long Beach netted $250 for the monthly Long Beach "30-Minute Beach Cleanup." The "UQ Race for Charity," described as a "high-tech urban scavenger hunt," will took teams of two on a wild goose chase from the outskirts of Seal Beach, through Belmont Shore, Bluff Park, Alamitos Beach, Rainbow Harbor, downtown and other coastal neighborhoods. Teams could only utilize city buses or walk and run as they solved clues to search for landmarks and interest points at Alamitos Bay Landing, downtown's Rainbow Harbor and Belmont Shore.

BEFORE POUNDING THE PAVEMENT, each team battled for starting positions by taking a 20-minute UQ Quiz that deals with questions relating to Long Beach and other general areas of knowledge. There were about 40 questions on the test. Teams used cell phones and wireless laptops for help on the quiz.

"...very similar to TV's reality show, The Amazing Race or Treasure Hunters." --Justin Rudd, organizer

TEAMS ANSWERED a series of questions about Long Beach and popular culture along the course -- very similar to TV's reality show, The Amazing Race and Treasure Hunters. And, the winning team was able to give half of the sum of the entry fees to the charity of its choice. The other half of all entry fees benefited Rudd's nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team.

Rudd, a Belmont Shore resident, who also puts together the monthly 30-Minute Beach Cleanup, spelling bees and Haute Dog events, says the upcoming UQ, short for Ultimate Quest, will "really challenge people mentally and physically."

Participants were given clues as to where the checkpoints were, then they had to recruit a bystander to take a picture of them in front of the designated checkpoint before moving on to the next site.

sample UQ quiz
Click Here for sample questions, clues and race results from the most recent UQ Race for Charity.

g URBAN SCAVENGER HUNT BY BUS & FOOT
What is the Ultimate Quest?

THE UQ RACE FOR CHARITY, also known as the Ultimate Quest, is the "human race" where two-person teams whiz around town thinking quickly to decode UQ Clues that will lead them to find unique items and various checkpoints. Getting about the city, partakers in the race may only use their feet and public transit buses. Each team's $50 entry fee will go into the UQ Jackpot, of which 50% will benefit a charity chosen by the winning team and the other 50% goint to Justin Rudd's local nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team.

g SIGN-UP FOR THE NEXT UQ
Do You Want to UQ?

NEXT EVENT Ultimate Quest Long Beach, CA TBA 2007 8:30 a.m.: UQ Quiz 9 a.m.: race begins

THE NEXT UQ scavenger hunt will take place in Long Beach in 2007, at 8:30 a.m., sharp. Recruit a partner now! To make your reservation to participate, send an e-mail to Justin@JustinRudd.com with your team name, the name of the charity you will play for and the name of your teammate. The entry fee is $50/per team, payable at the event (check payable to CAT).

IN ORDER to win cash for your charity and bragging rights as the UQ champs, a team has to be the first to cross the finish line with all scavenged items and provide proof that they visited all checkpoints and moving targets, as evidenced by their team's digital camera (provide your own camera).

Quiz Yourself! Before the UQ Race began, each team battled for starting positions during the 16-mintue UQ Quiz that dealt with 28 questions about history, geography, sports, Long Beach trivia and other general areas of knowledge. Here are a few of the actuual UQ Quiz questions from one of out past events: On average, how many days of sunshine do we have in Long Beach? A. 335 B. 245 C. 355 D. 345 E. 310 What is the Web address for Long Beach's 30-Minute Beach Cleanup sponsored by Justin Rudd? A: www.BeachCleanup.org B. www.BeachCleanup.com C. www.CleanBeach.org D. www.CleanBeach.com E. www.CleanLongBeach.com Which state does not border Alabama? A. Mississippi B. Louisiana C. Georgia D. Florida E. Tennessee Which movie won the Best Picture award for 2001? A. Lord of the Rings B. Gosford Park C. A Beautiful Mind D. In the Bedroom CLICK HERE to take the complete UQ Quiz from a previous event.

g ON YOUR MARK, GET SET
Start & Finish Line

A GREAT START
The UQ Quiz will start promptly at 8:30, so come a bit early to fill out your registration form. The event will start and end at Polly's Coffee on 2nd St. They do have free wireless Internet access.

Participants may use cell phones, computers, calculators, phone books, visitor's guides, bus guides, maps, and other references and devices. Throughout the UQ Quiz and the UQ Race, teams may also use a cell phone or two-way radio to call a friend or family member for help with a clue or destination.

g HOP ON THE BUS, GUS!
Do I Have to be Athletic?

IT'S NOT IMPORTANT to be an athlete to participate in the UQ Race for Charity. In fact, the longest distance between checkpoints and/or bus stops is only about 1/3 mile. The way to do well in this race is to use your brain, your map, your cell phone and other resources. And, be sure to hop on the bus every chance you get!

Last Event's Participants Responded g Justin, Jennifer and I (Team 1) had a great time participating in the first Long Beach "UQ"! Not only did we enjoy the event during the race, but we laughed about it afterwards, to the point that it hurt. Everything was moving at such a frantic pace during the event that only afterwards were we able to relax over lunch and recall all of the humorous things that happened to us or other teams during the race. It was also a blast to mix with the other teams at the finish line location. I had never used the Link or the Passport buses in LB, even though I work downtown. So, on that level, it was a great tool for particpants to explore the local transportation options. Overall, it was a great combination of physical and mental challenges and a lot of fun. I'm looking forward to the next event! -TJ g "I had a BLAST at the UQ race. I did not know it would be THAT much fun. I never expected to do as well as Allison and I did either. The press seemed to eat it up too. Right in line with all that reality TV stuff that is popular these days. You could make your own television show out of this event....:-) I will definitely register for the next race." -JP Antona g Justin, The UQ was a blast! It was hard and grueling, but it was fun. I hope you will do it again (not real soon, though - need more rest). Thanks again for all your hard work and effort by you and your volunteers. -Cindy Austin g I just wanted to give a shout out to ya and thank you again for taking on the responsibility of the Ultimate Quest Challenge. John and I had a blast and could not stop laughing about our adventure through LB. It was amazing to see how competition changes peoples demeanor. Even I felt the intensity of it all and normally I'm not a competitive person. That's what made it such a hoot, in retrospect. Looking forward to the next fun adventure! Peace and Love, -Jenn

g ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO A CLOSE
How Long Does the UQ Last?

Most teams will finish the course in approx. three hours. Anyone remaining on the course after three hours is asked to return to the finish line.

g IT PAYS TO PLAY
Prizes & Bragging Rights

IN ADDITION to bragging rights, cash and other prizes will be awarded.

First Place Team: gift TBA AND 1/2 of all entry fees go to the winning team's charity of choice and the other 1/2 of entry fees goes to the nonprofit 501c3 Community Action Team

g CHARITY IS THE BIG WINNER
The UQ Charity Jackpot

THE BEST PRIZE at the UQ is the fact that 100% of the entry fees ($50 per team) will benefit charity.

g PLAY SMART. PLAY SAFELY.
Rules to Play By

• Teams must consist of only two individuals.
• Participants under 18 must be teamed with a parent or legal guardian.
• Team numbers will be provided and must be worn throughout the event.
• Each team must stay together and cross the finish line together.
• Participants may not use a taxi, car, bike, skateboard, in-line skates (or similar means of transportation).
• Teams must provide their own digital camera. Camera phones are fine.
• Participants must obey the law.
• Participants must sign a liability release/waiver before the event begins.
• The decision of the judges and the event organizer are final on all matters.
• Unless otherwise noted within the UQ Clue, photos must be taken by a bystander or other urban dweller.
• Participants must be in good health and have no physical condition that prevents them from participating in the UQ.
• All event images will be downloaded at the finish line and become the property of Justin Rudd.
• All rules are subject to change without notice.

g BE PREPARED Things to Bring to the UQ YOU'LL WANT TO BRING some money for bus fare (90 cents each time you board; or buy a Long Beach Transit day-pass for just $2.50), a water bottle for your thirst, a cell phone, a city map and a bus guide book. We highly suggest a wireless laptop computer during the UQ Quiz. Don't forget to bring your sense of adventure! SHOW YOUR SPIRIT Teammates are encouraged to wear matching/coordinating apparel/outfits.

g HELP IS NEEDED
Volunteers/Sponsors

WE ARE ALWAYS seeking folks to volunteer their time on the day of the event. From signing people in and collecting liability waivers to supervising the contestants along the route, it takes several volunteers to make the UQ a success. Can you give a few hours in the morning at the next UQ Racep?

We also are searching for more cash prizes, gift certificates and other merchandise to offer as incentives to get participants interested in competing. If you, your business or organization can help out, please contact the UQ organizer Justin Rudd at Justin@JustinRudd.com

MORE: Click Here for sample questions, clues and race results from the July 2002 UQ Race for Charity

UQ Teams (samples) Julie & Lori Team 30: Total BS Express Charity: Operation Jump Start - Long Beach Chapter JP & Michelle Team 31: Name TBA Charity: PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) Susan & Tori Team 32: Name TBA Charity: Children Today Anne & Shelby Team 38 Charity: Amnesty Int'l   Karen & Eliza Team 33: TBA Charity: spcaLA Marni & Katherine Team 34: Belmont Bounty Hunters Long Beach Junior League Armando & Rosa Team 35: LBZ All-Stars Charity: Animal Charity TBA Maggie & Darlena Team 36: spca Dynamic Duo Jennifer & Tom Team 37 Charity: TBA CLICK HERE to send us your team's name, players and charity and to be added tothe UQ E-newsletter for Upcoming Events

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