Lions Club Wilro Park pulls off incredible ‘Amazing Race’
No airports or customs officials in sight on this afternoon of fun-filled activities
Lions Club members from across Johannesburg were joined by the community for a mad dash between several well-known landmarks around Roodepoort and Muldersdrift on 18 April. After a month of precision planning, a total of 38 teams registered and upon receiving their clues and passports, were primed to tackle detours and avoid roadblocks on their way to each pit stop.
With a fancy dress competition thrown in for good measure, each team drew numbered balls to decide who would tackle the first challenge, where they needed complete a series of dance steps with Jay Mohamed of Saint Ballroom Dance. From there, adventurers had to visit Helen at Village Nursery, make their way to the principal’s office at Pathways, and solve a coded puzzle at Absolut Security.
Some physical activity was in order as contestants needed to drive a golf ball from the practice tee at Jim and Jerrys driving range before performing a random act of kindness at Alice Art Gallery. This would mark the halfway stage, and Be Our Guest Spa at Ramkiki would be up next before moving down Beyers Naudé Drive, visiting The Pitstop Diner, Garden World Farmyard and Ngwenya Glass Village.
The finish line, not manned by Phil Keoghan but by Lions Club Wilro Park members, was Heritage Lodge in Krugersdorp, where Ian and Sandy King would land on the mat first. While no millions were given away, contestants picked up vouchers and venue-relevant freebies at each pit stop. “We sincerely thank all our sponsors for making it such an incredible day,” said Lions Club Wilro Park President, Sandy van Heerden.
A special spirit award was also given to Melinda from Alberton Lions Club for Mask of the Day, while Ruan and Bernice van der Merwe from Centurion Lions Club won Team of the Day.
The words ‘You are the last team to arrive’ were not uttered as the day was about fun, spirit and participation, and not the anxiety-inducing traffic, airports, unscrupulous taxi drivers and communication barriers of international travel.
