Amped-up race a huge success

The first “Amped Up Adventure Race” on Memorial Day weekend was a big success thanks to the many sponsors, volunteers, racers, and supporters who helped make it happen, despite the 97 degree heat.

The 17 mile race that featured running, biking, kayaking and an obstacle course on and along the Fox River on public and private (the Mooseheart campus) trails and waterways, was a showcase of the great recreational facilities, including land and water trails, parks, boat launches, and our Riverfront that we are blessed with.

Many visitors commented on the quality of these amenities. They loved running in the shade of the Fox Trail, biking through the Les Arends Forest Preserve and Mooseheart Campus, and launching from park district facilities in North Aurora and at Veterans Island off Illinois Ave.

They appreciated the ample parking and well designed infrastructure that Aurora’s Downtown Alive Groups provided them with its close access to downtown and our major sponsors, Hollywood Casino Aurora, Ballydoyle Irish Pub, Paddle & Trail Aurora and Two Brothers Roundhouse. One can hardly wait for the new RiverEdge Park to open with next year’s Blues on the Fox to bring even more people down to our revitalized and amenity filled riverfront and downtown.

Without the generous support of the sponsors plus the Aurora Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and Chamber of Commerce, city of Aurora, Fox Valley Park District, Kane County Forest Preserve, Aurora Downtown and volunteers, this event would never have happened.

The Amped Up Adventure Race raised money to help in the redesign and re-construction of the Aurora Canoe Chute so that it can function as intended: as a safe passage around a dangerous dam, a facility to train paddlers in moving water, and as a gateway to our revitalized and energetic downtown.

Charlie Zine

Race director

Amped Up Adventure Race