Wild Scallion Urban Adventure race

The Wild Scallion is a 6 hour adventure race which involves touring Chicago by foot, bike, «El», roller blades and scooter. Yes, scooter. A mini version of The Wild Onion 24 hour challenge, this race was plenty for me to handle and at the end of the 6 hour time cap, my team was plenty ready for the beer that was waiting for us at the end.
You’ll enter as a team of three and when you’re choosing your team mates, you’d better make sure you’re all a tolerant bunch. Your patience and temperament is going to be tested along the way, I guarantee it. You set up your staging area at North Ave. Beach where you’ll return at various legs of the race to transition into different transportation modes. You’re given a questionnaire and checklist to fill out along the way to prove you’ve been to certain checkpoints… kind of like a big city scavenger hunt. But this is no walk in the park… you’ve really got to hustle if you’re going to just beat the 6 hour time limit, much less win. Plus, there’s something very humbling about riding a scooter past a bunch of Chads and Trixies outside the Wrigleyville bars. If that doesn’t test your dedication, nothing will!
We had the honor and distinction of being the very last group to make it in under the wire. I take great pride in that and in the standing ovation we got, as well. I did, however, feel sorry for all the other teams that came in behind us. To have worked so hard all day and not have it count would be disappointing and deflating to say the least .
All in all, this race is a great test of determination and endurance and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who «thinks» they know the city. If you’re not at least familiar with the geography, you don’t stand a chance.