The Denver Oyster Urban Adventure Race

Let’s start with a riddle: what has running, biking, and bull testicles?!

The Denver Oyster!

**And before I get way sidetracked and tell you about the fun stuff, let me clarify about the testicles thing: yes, there is a unique dish here in Colorado called Rocky Mountain Oysters. Yes, they are bull testicles and people eat them, but I swear, it’s really not normal! It’s one of those “traditional” Colorado things that no one actually eats. And, for the record, I’ve never tried them either… I’ve eaten everything else on the planet but no bull balls as of yet!**

Talk about a tangent! Moving along….


The Oyster Urban Adventure Racing series that began in Denver in 2003. Someone apparently referred to the race as a “ball buster” and thus the name began! The race is now in cities across the US and I have seriously been dying to try it for years! And, guess what? I am allllllllll registered for this summer!

Source

It’s a team event, and you have the option of doing the full course or the half course. Of course, Cindy, Craig and I have to do the full course which apparently covers 20-30 miles of Denver is is supposed to take 4-6 hours.

You see, no one really knows what happens in the race because the course is a secret right up until the actual event! Teams run all over the city, looking for clues, solving riddles, and encountering obstacle courses. Running and cycling are guaranteed, but some of the other potential activities include kayaking, creeking, golfing, rafting, shopping, rock climbing, eating, skating, canoeing, trivia, and bowling. Smart phones are required, as is a little bit of cash in case an RTD bus becomes necessary.

Now, here is the problem I foresee already: quite honestly, Cindy and I suck at navigation! In the mountains and the wilderness, I am a rock star and I never get lost…. but when it comes to the actual city, I am a nightmare! Cindy and I did an orienteering race together once and I had to relieve her of map duties when I looked over and she was analyzing the topo upside down! (True story!) Luckily, Craig is a police officer so I assume he has to be good at that kind of stuff, right?!

I’ve never done an urban adventure race, but I’m told it’s like the Eco Challenge in a city. Who knows if that is true or not, but I’m very excited to find out!

*********************
Have you ever done an urban adventure race? Which one?

What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
Guinea pig in Peru. In Quechua, the native Peruvian language, it’s called Cuy because that’s the sound a guinea pig makes!

No Comments

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

The Denver Oyster Urban Adventure Race

Let’s start with a riddle: what has running, biking, and bull testicles?!

The Denver Oyster!

**And before I get way sidetracked and tell you about the fun stuff, let me clarify about the testicles thing: yes, there is a unique dish here in Colorado called Rocky Mountain Oysters. Yes, they are bull testicles and people eat them, but I swear, it’s really not normal! It’s one of those “traditional” Colorado things that no one actually eats. And, for the record, I’ve never tried them either… I’ve eaten everything else on the planet but no bull balls as of yet!**

Talk about a tangent! Moving along….


The Oyster Urban Adventure Racing series that began in Denver in 2003. Someone apparently referred to the race as a “ball buster” and thus the name began! The race is now in cities across the US and I have seriously been dying to try it for years! And, guess what? I am allllllllll registered for this summer!

Source

It’s a team event, and you have the option of doing the full course or the half course. Of course, Cindy, Craig and I have to do the full course which apparently covers 20-30 miles of Denver is is supposed to take 4-6 hours.

You see, no one really knows what happens in the race because the course is a secret right up until the actual event! Teams run all over the city, looking for clues, solving riddles, and encountering obstacle courses. Running and cycling are guaranteed, but some of the other potential activities include kayaking, creeking, golfing, rafting, shopping, rock climbing, eating, skating, canoeing, trivia, and bowling. Smart phones are required, as is a little bit of cash in case an RTD bus becomes necessary.

Now, here is the problem I foresee already: quite honestly, Cindy and I suck at navigation! In the mountains and the wilderness, I am a rock star and I never get lost…. but when it comes to the actual city, I am a nightmare! Cindy and I did an orienteering race together once and I had to relieve her of map duties when I looked over and she was analyzing the topo upside down! (True story!) Luckily, Craig is a police officer so I assume he has to be good at that kind of stuff, right?!

I’ve never done an urban adventure race, but I’m told it’s like the Eco Challenge in a city. Who knows if that is true or not, but I’m very excited to find out!

*********************
Have you ever done an urban adventure race? Which one?

What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
Guinea pig in Peru. In Quechua, the native Peruvian language, it’s called Cuy because that’s the sound a guinea pig makes!

16 Comments

  • Reply Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb at

    Never have done anything like this, but want to. Sounds like an absolute blast and can’t wait to hear about it!

  • Reply Britt @ Chicago Runner Girl at

    There is an event like this in Chicago, I think it’s called the Great Urban Race. I’ve never done it, but it looks like loads of fun and I’ve always wanted to.

    Weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten…head cheese. Yuck.

  • Reply Leah @ Chocolate and Wild Air at

    Looks fun, can’t wait to hear about it!!

  • Reply hiker mom at

    That sounds like so much fun! I try not to eat really weird things since I have a sensitive gag reflex:) The worst thing I think I have tried is raw oysters. YUCK! I know many people love them, but they gross me out.

  • Reply Kayla Carruth @ kpLoving It at

    Wow, I would totally be slow at that race……I have a feeling I don’t know much about our huge city…..

    I’ve been known to eat frog legs and squirrels…if that’s considered weird. Some crazy hicks I know where I grew up enjoy eating bulls balls too, but I never hear about them in Dallas!

    • Reply Heather @ Just a Colorado Gal at

      I know certain parts of Denver really well because of work– I have to drive around all the time….but there are a lot of areas that I am completely clueless!

  • Reply Michelle @ Blogitness at

    There is an urban dare race coming up near me, I really want to sign up. It looks like a lot of fun!

  • Reply Bonnie at

    Sounds super fun! What a great event – I should be looking in my own city for the same type of fun run this summer!

  • Reply Julie at

    That sounds fun! I can’t wait to hear about it! I would be hopeless at it..like you I know parts of “Denver” the east or south sides and I’m lost.

    And yes I’ve tried Rocky Mtn Oysters as well as ummm turkey testicles. 🙂

  • Reply Bean at

    Looks like fun! Are you all gonna dress up?

  • Reply MizFit at

    LMAO
    oysters are the weirdest thing Ive ever PRETENDED TO EAT on a dare 🙂

  • Reply Jamie at

    Looks like fun! I don’t know if I would do it though because I can’t do all of those things you listed that might happen!

    No weird food for me, I just stick to normal things. I guess seaweed is probably the most unique thing I’ve eaten.

  • Reply Suz and Allan at

    This sounds crazy fun! Weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten is calf balls. Somehow Allan just found that out this week.

  • Reply Suzanne at

    Sounds like a lot of fun.. but I wouldn’t stand a chance in a race in Denver. Houston, maybe. Fort Collins, still probably not. haha.

    And “never get lost in the mountains”? Do I have to remind you of your recent 14’er attempt? haha. just kidding.

  • Leave a Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.