Melrose to Offer Exciting Adventure Race to Local Residents on June 10

Posted on: June 4, 2018 - 1:15pm

Photo of Raising Race team meeting with Mayor Infurna and Superintendent Taymore

Tapping in to the wildly successful scavenger hunt adventures popularized by global TV sensations such as the “Amazing Race,” Melrose is offering residents the opportunity to do good and have fun! On June 10, residents of Melrose and neighboring communities can participate in the Raising Race—an adventure game that involves agility, skill, and wits to conquer. The race will take participants on an incredible journey through Melrose history and local landmarks through a series of mysterious riddles, clues, and puzzles.

“The best part of this activity is that the students came up with the idea all on their own.” said Gail Infurna, Mayor of Melrose. “Late last year, six Herbert Clark Hoover Elementary School students were encouraged by their teachers to apply for the Martin Richards Foundation’s Bridge Builder grant program. The grant gave them the freedom and ability to choose an activity that would bring community members together – within Melrose and our surrounding communities—while celebrating kindness, justice, and peace. I couldn’t be more proud of the work they’ve put in to organizing this event, and encourage our community to take part. I hope you’ll join me in showing support for these kids and showing them just how much their effort has paid off!”

What you need to know:

  • Who: Racers can be individual adults or teens, or families, or other groups of three or more.
  • When: The race will take place Sunday, June 10, 2018, rain or shine! Racers may begin the race between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm but must complete the race by no later than 5:00 pm. It is anticipated that the race will take about 4 hours for most racers.
  • Where: The starting point for the race will be in downtown Melrose at the Melrose Family YMCA (497 Main Street).
  • How: Tickets, which can be purchased at http://www.raising-race.org, are $25 per person or $75 for a family of three or more. Revenue from each ticket sold will be donated to the Melrose YMCA, Smile Train, and the Martin Richard Foundation.

Vintage postcard with birds-eye view of Main Street

Other considerations:

  • All those that purchase tickets will receive a copy of the backstory and clues from the student race organizers. The student race organizers will stay at that location all day to help people to start and end the race.
  • All racers will need to return to the original starting point, the Melrose Family YMCA, at the end of the race to have their puzzle answers checked and to receive an official race time.
  • The fastest three times to complete the race correctly (whether an individual or a group) will receive a refund of their ticket cost and bragging rights!
  • Racers will need comfortable shoes and weather appropriate outdoor clothing, bug spray and sunscreen, a smartphone with a camera to do basic internet research, and a car or bicycle to get around the area.