CitySolve Urban Race

If you like puzzles, running around like a maniac, and asking strangers to do socially awkward things with you, then you’re luck, because CitySolve Urban Race has it all! My favorite part was interacting with my fellow Philadelphians to complete different challenges. I was pleasantly surprised by how total strangers were so receptive to my unusual requests: like the cabbie who paused to give a thumbs-​up in a photo with me and my teammate; or the older couple who donated $ 5 to lymphoma research based on my disjointed plea: «race…lymphoma…give me money.» (Thanks again, guys!) But I guess that’s the magic of a good scavenger hunt!

Just got back from my first CitySolve Urban Race and it was really fun! Got free team registration courtesy of Unilocal (Thanks Michelle C.!)
We were pretty intimidated when we saw some serious looking teams in sweatbands looking like they were actually going to run a sprint, but we didn’t take it too seriously and had a really great time. The clues were fun, interesting and challenging, we got to run (ok we sped walked, don’t judge, one of our team members had a busted ankle) all over the city and discover new places on a gorgeous day, and when we got back there were drink specials at Field House. We ended up in places I’ve never seen, or places I’ve heard of but didn’t know where they were, and will definitely be making some trips back to do those places justice.
Pro tip: you will be hungry after this event, and Reading Terminal is just across the street from Field House and much more delicious and cheap.
If you’re super competitive, there were prizes for best tweet, costume, First place ($ 300), Second ($ 150?), and Third ($ 100?). Keep in mind those teams solved 9 clues and ran all over the city in an hour. (It took us about an hour and a half and we did some serious speed walking.)
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is I’m not sure it’s worth the amount you pay for registration (from the website it looks like prices range from $ 25 if you refer 3 friends to $ 65 the day of). I love free tshirts, and we got a $ 15 off coupon for Philadelphia Runner (with $ 75 purchase), but I would have liked to have seen better drink specials (4,5,6 is not that special), or discounts at participating stores or something else, just a suggestion.
Great event, a lot of fun, and definitely recommend that people give this a try next year as a fun way to spend a day, challenge your mind, discover the city, bond with friends/​fam/​whoever, and get some exercise!