Slightly frantic teams were running through the streets of Ottawa Saturday as they took part in an urban adventure race deciphering clues and consulting maps to get to an unmarked final location.
They were competing in City Chase, an international urban adventure race in which weekend warriors follow clues to complete in 10 stations spread throughout the city. The fastest teams win a chance to compete in the world finals.
The teams must navigate some difficult terrain and learn to work as a unit. Sometimes they must face their fears.
Close encounters with tarantulas and snakes, rafting through Ottawa's rapids, and working as a team to complete tasks were just some of the stops along the race.
"I think we're going to have to do some more training. My cardiovascular (level) really isn't where it should be for this race," said competitor Karen Fish.
But competitors always have fun and keep coming back year after year.
"At the end of the day, you're just so tired, you're spent, you're dead. But the only thing that goes through your head is, 'I had so much fun today, I want to do it again next year,'" said competitor Emilie Martin.
In Ottawa alone, 800 people took part, but events were held throughout Canada. The best teams will then be able to attend the Third City Chase World Championships, which will be held in November in Marrakech, Morocco.
Winning teams from Canada, U.S., France, U.K., Ireland, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany, Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore will be competing.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Kate Eggins
