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Adventure Races - - Explore the World On a Global Scavenger Hunt

The Great Escape is an Around-the-Globe Adventure Race

By Lois Friedland, About.com

Global Scavenger Hunt teams locate a cafe in Dubai and joins locals using a waterpipe

Global Scavenger Hunt teams locate a cafe in Dubai and indulge in the local pastime

William Chalmers
Have you watched the Amazing Race and wondered if -- or were sure you could -- compete? If so, the Great Escape 2009 is looking for globetrotters and adventurous travelers to join its annual Global Scavenger Hunt, a true adventure race. The three-week long experience, April 17- May 9, begins in Los Angeles and ends in New York, but participants travel the long way around the globe.

Visit the Global Scavenger Hunt travel blog now through May 9, 2009, to catch the latest news and gossip, and watch videos of the travelers as they meet their challenges in 10 countries on their way around the world.

What Will You Do?

This year's event is again called "A Blind Date with the World," because the 25 teams of two will travel around the world, but won't know which 10 countries on four continents they are going to visit. The activities will include a mix of cultural-oriented scavenges, such as finding a Buddha's tooth in Sri Lanka, and challenges such as entering a camel race in India or taking a photo of a wild orangutan. The goal is to test each team's ability to deal with the difficulties of extended travel and personal dynamics within the team.

Who's It For?

The race is for curious and savvy travelers eager for new, often difficult and at times strange mind- and body-testing experiences. As one former contest, Randy of Newport Beach, says, "A cross between Abercrombie & Kent and Lonely Planet." Another contestant, Jason of Toronto, explains, "This even is geared toward people who are really interested in the culture, the people and the places...They attract the traveler, not the tourist."

What's It Going to Cost?

It's expensive, but this travel-a-thon is designed to raise money for several internationally-focused humanitarian organizations. Accepted participants pay or raise the entry fee of $9,900 per person. Some teams raise a lot more and earmark their funds for specific charities. Because some of the funds go to non-profits, some of the entry fees may be tax-deductible. The goal is to raise a million dollars for charities such as CARE, Doctors Without Borders and UNICEF.

Contact Information

If you think this adventure race might be the experience for you visit Global Scavenger Hunt to learn more or call 310-281-7809. Potential travelers will be interviewed for suitability and asked to help in fund-raising events to help reach the million-dollar goal. Single travelers can apply.

More Adventure Travel Races

To learn about other exciting adventure travel races for the ultra competitive and for those who simply want to turn their next trip into a more moderate version of a reality TV-style adventure race, visit Adventure Travel Races.

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