RACE INFO
This was sent in an email to the racers on march 7, 2023:
We are proud to welcome back Florida Cancer Specialists as our Presenting Sponsor!
With doctors recognized among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Florida Cancer Specialists counts as their primary purpose – and their passion – is providing the most advanced cancer treatment, using cutting-edge technologies, in a setting where patients can be close to home and surrounded by family and friends.
Here are some important dates and other info you need to know for the 9th Annual Amazing Race for Charity.
March 15th: You have until that date to change your shirt size. We order the shirts on the morning of the 16th. There will be a few extra ordered, but if your size is not available, you may end up with a shirt from a previous race year.
Saturday, March 25th - PACKET PICKUP
Do you live within 20-25 miles of Eustis? At least one member of your team needs to pick up your packet on Saturday, March 25th between 10:00am and 12:00pm at the VyStar Credit Union at 18190 US Hwy 441, Mt. Dora, Florida 32757. (No ID is needed, but you will need your TEAM NAME.). A big thank you to our friends at VyStar Credit Union for being a returning sponsor for the Amazing Race for Charity!
If you live farther than 25 miles away and don't want to come to Eustis a week early you must arrive at least 30 minutes before your start time on race day at Trout Lake Nature Center to pick up your packet. There are public bathrooms at Trout Lake Nature Center for you to change.
DO NOT DRIVE TO TROUT LAKE NATURE CENTER! You must take the bus from downtown.
We will announce the bus stop in the coming days and suggest places for you to park downtown so you can easily get your car after the race since we will be finishing downtown again.
BIB NUMBERS AND STARTING TIMES: Very soon, we will send out a list of bib numbers and starting times so you know when your team will start.
SATURDAY, April 1st - THE 9th ANNUAL AMAZING RACE FOR CHARITY PRESENTED BY FLORIDA CANCER SPECIALISTS!!!
START
For this, our 9th year, we'll be starting the race at Trout Lake Nature Center. THERE WILL BE A BUS AVAILABLE TO THE STARTING LINE FROM DOWNTOWN. We will end the race on the grounds of the Eustis Historical Museum. The best address if you need to find the museum on a map is 536 North Bay Street, Eustis, Florida 32726.
Please make sure you arrive at the starting line at least 15 minutes before your published starting time. There are accessible bathrooms at Trout Lake Nature Center for any last minute pit stops.
BUS TO THE STARTING LINE
Our partners at Alee Academy Charter School, which receives funds from the race, will be providing buses to get our racers to the starting line. The bus will pick up at a location in downtown (to be determined soon). Please plan to get on the bus 30-45 minutes before your published starting time to give yourself plenty of time to get to the starting line.
"TICKET" TO RIDE THE BUS
This year, we are asking for donations to the Eustis Head Start program, which serves 80+ families in the Eustis area by providing head start services to children from infants to 5+. The teachers and staff work with families to find strategies for success and that often includes potty training both toddlers and older children with disabilities. We ask that you consider bringing a package of diapers - any size - to donate at the bus stop to Eustis Head Start. If you can't find where to drop them off at the bus stop, please give your donation to the bus driver or assistant.
ALTERNATIVE TO THE BUS
You may have someone drop you off at the entrance of Trout Lake Nature Center but we will not be allowing anyone to drive past the main gate on race morning or to park at Trout Lake Nature Center. There will also not be any transportation back to Trout Lake Nature Center on Race Day. It would be a much better choice to ride the bus with everyone else.
FINISH
The race will finish at the Eustis Historical Museum! You will head to the United Southern Bank tent once through the finish line and pick up your Starting Line Photos!
AND THEN WE HAVE FOOD!!!
Big thanks to our friends at Crazy Gator Restaurant for helping us restart our big after party! We missed a few years of after parties because of a pandemic, but we're back!!! Expect to hang out after the race and enjoy a picnic under the trees along the lake on the beautiful grounds of the museum.
RACE DAY PARKING
It is better for you to park downtown, which is just two blocks away. We suggest the large parking lot at the corner of Clifford and Bay Street. The best GPS address for the lot is 101 East McDonald Avenue, Eustis, Florida 32726.
Parking in downtown Eustis is first come, first serve. Other than handicapped spots, nothing is reserved.
WHAT TO WEAR
- Every racer MUST wear the race-provided moisture-wicking shirt with their bib number pinned to the front. YOU MUST WEAR YOUR RACE SHIRT AND WE MUST BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR BIB NUMBER AT ALL TIMES.
- You will receive one drawstring backpack for your team at packet pickup. We suggest you bring this on race day to hold your keys, etc. and for the bottled water we will have available at the starting line.
- We recognize those who wear fun costumes, so if you want to adjust your shirts or add some fun items, please go for it! We are making a big push to get folks to Dress Up! The winning team will receive gift certificates from Yooper Lube & Wash in Eustis!
- Shoes that can get wet and/or dirty/muddy. This is not the time to bust out the $150 brand new running shoes. Still, we will provide places for you to remove your shoes and socks for wet challenges if you'd like. We will only provide a limited number of plastic booties to go over shoes at the muddiest station and shoes are REQUIRED for participating in all challenges. Seriously - wear some old shoes please.
WHAT TO BRING
Each team must bring these items on race day:
- $5 bill per team member (this will allow you to skip one single, predetermined challenge on race day). In previous years, the challenge was wearing old band uniforms and delivering heavy instruments up three flights of stairs. The event raised $1,600 for band uniforms. One year, we raised $2,500 from people who didn't want to have to sort 20 pounds of dog food. This year, we've chosen one even less appealing, so bring your cash to benefit a local charity!). SERIOUSLY - You do not want to have to do the major exercises they have planned as a penalty here. Bring some cash and skip it.
- Your car keys. Don't lock those in the car!
- If you plan to hang around downtown to enjoy the city or local restaurants, there are bathrooms at the Community Center next to the Historical Museum so you can change clothes, so perhaps bring something to change into?
AT LEAST 15 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR START TIME
Arrive at the actual starting line and follow directions to get into the queue to start. You and your partner need to make sure both your race bibs are pinned to the front of your shirts. If you are dressing up, make sure our logo and your bib are clearly visible in the front.
AT YOUR STARTING TIME
Since we stagger starting times, you can expect that 2 or 3 teams will start every minute. We gave you the opportunity on your race registration to list any team(s) you wanted to start with, so we will have you set up like that.
ALONG THE COURSE
There will be five water stations along the race course. We have also arranged to place mile markers along the course so you know how far you've come (and how far you still have to go).
SPECTATORS
We've also designed this year's race with spectators in mind. For your friends or family who are just watching this year, downtown Eustis is a great place to start, as 5+ challenges will be within easy walking distance. The map will also show several other stops for spectators that will give them easy access to ALL of the challenges for their "viewing pleasure."
Questions? Don't hesitate to call race director Tim Totten at 352-242-8111 or just respond to this email. (Most questions can be answered by responding to this email.)
(If you are receiving this for your teammate, please forward it to them, too. And, keep in mind that we do send emails up until the night before the race, so if this is not the best email address for you and your teammate to get email at night, please provide us with a better email address. IF YOU CANNOT RECEIVE ATTACHMENTS, WE NEED AN EMAIL ADDRESS WHERE YOU CAN. Thanks!)
the finish line is at the eustis historical museum!
2023 RACE MAP
WE WILL HAVE HARD COPIES AVAILABLE AT PACKET PICKUP ON MARCH 25TH.
You will also be able to get the race map here once it's ready.
The race course will be clearly marked with signs and volunteers. Don't forget your $5 per racer to buy out of the challenge we've prepared for you that is so gross, you want out of it!, and your baby diapers to donate when you start the race (for Head Start) at the bus stop at Fountain Green. (Hint from Robin: you can get a package of diapers, any size, for a little over $4 at Aldi.)
We know you'll be hungry, and we have the Finish Line Festival again, finally! Crazy Gator will be supplying our food for the racers. SO, get your starting line photos first and then eat, because...
Every year several people forget to pick up their starting photos, which are paid for by our sponsor, United Southern Bank. Be sure to go to their table at the Eustis Historical Museum at the Finish Line Festival after the race to pick them up!
we are a rain or shine event!
2023 Sponsor Opportunities are now open!
SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES FOR APRIL 1, 2023
Presenting Sponsor for Event: $10,000
Finish Line Festival Title Sponsor: $10,000
Supporting Sponsor: $2,500
Challenge Station Title Sponsor: $1,000
Challenge Station Captain Sponsor: $500
Personalized Sponsorships Available, too
Please contact:
Tim Totten at amazingracecharity@gmail.com
OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR for 2023 is, once again!
fLORIDA CANCER SPECIALISTS & research institute
Florida Cancer Specialists is proud to offer cancer treatment tailored to each individual. Our robust oncology and hematology services, as well as supporting disciplines like pathology, radiology, care management and our home delivery pharmacy, RX to Go, all contribute to that personal approach to care. www.FLCANCER.com
With doctors recognized among the best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, Florida Cancer Specialists counts as their primary purpose – and their passion – is providing the most advanced cancer treatment, using cutting-edge technologies, in a setting where patients can be close to home and surrounded by family and friends.
YOU DO NOT need to be a patient of Florida Cancer Specialists to receive help from them.
