Teens from Crowsnest Pass and surrounding area took to the streets of Coleman on Saturday for CNP 40’s eighth annual Amazing Teen Race. 

The race featured 22 teams of four who made their way through 15 unique challenges. Participants ranged from grades 7 to 12.

Racers went from one challenge station to the next, completing assigned tasks in order to receive their next clue.

The competition included a wide variety of challenges, including escape rooms, fitness circuits, paddleboard races, mannequin hair braiding, creating a song and posting it to social media, and operating a fire hose and hydrant as a team to hit a target.

“I think the race went really well this year. Our registration was full and the kids had a lot of fun with the challenges,” says Stephanie Olsen, co-ordinator of CNP 40 Developmental Assets.

“I think that the hosts that participated genuinely had fun with this event, too. They make the challenges and really put in the effort to make it fun for the teens.” 

The winning teams were determined based on how quickly they completed the challenges. 

In the senior high category, the Ducklings team, featuring Sophie Wendrich, Adam Wendrich, Lily Baillie and Nola McGaughey, took home first place. Each Duckling received a cash prize of $50. 

The NIKS team finished second, featuring Isaac Bailey, Sam Graham, Nate Amatto and Marley Harriott. Each received $25 for their effort.

First place among the junior high teams went to Alex Mertz, Halie Macdonald, Colin Pitt and Landon Sokoloski of the Benchwarmers team. Like the senior high winners, each team member received $50.

The HotWheels team, consisting of Neleta Crombie, Ayla Smith, Owen Smith and Paulo Cameselle, came in second and each was awarded $25.

Stephanie emphasizes how valuable the support that CNP 40 received for this event was.

“I think it’s a community effort,” she says. “The amount of volunteers that we need to do this each year is overwhelming, and yet we seem to rarely have any trouble finding hosts or volunteers because this community really comes together.”

This year’s challenge hosts were A Copper Bind Macrame, Aura Studios, Chris’ Restaurant, Coleman Lions, Crowsnest Adventures, Crowsnest Museum and Archives, Crowsnest Senior Housing — Peaks to Pines, Crow Works, Goal Diggers, Groves Music, the Black Hare, the Knight Family, Nature Conservancy Canada, CNP Protective Services/RCMP/Canadian Bear Safety Authority and CNP Fire Rescue.

CNP 40 thanks every one of its sponsors, challenge hosts, volunteers and participants for making this year’s Amazing Teen Race a successful one.