YP The Amazing Big Durian Race
Sponsored by
AmCham Indonesia Young Professionals host the First Annual Amazing Big Durian Race!
On May 28, 2011 over 120 Indonesian and expatriate, young and not so young professionals gathered at Amigo's Restaurant in Mega Kuningan to launch the first ever Amazing Big Durian Race. If you are wondering what the Amazing Big Durian Race is, well, let me explain. In short, it is a giant scavenger hunt where contestants, armed with cameras, race around the city taking pictures and collecting items from various locations. This wild exploration of Jakarta highlighted key attractions, restaurants, and retail outlets while pushing teams to develop strategies and cooperation. To add to the excitement, one of the contestants from the "Amazing Race Asia" reality TV show joined the fun, enlisting his own team to compete against the other racers.
Participants started arriving at Amigo's around 12:30 where they registered, put on their Big Durian t-shirts, found their teams, and were welcomed to free flow beer and iced tea while they planned their strategy for the race. At 1:30, AmCham YP Chairman, Scott Hanna, announced the rules, safety issues, and our wonderful sponsors: Blackberry, Eastern Promise, The Dharmawangsa, Amigo's, Starbucks, Papa Ron's, Santa Fe, and the Jakarta Globe, our media partner. At 2 pm, teams promptly went outside for a quick photo opportunity and were on their way after the Amazing Race Asia contestant gave a "1, 2, 3 Go!" sendoff.
Teams had four hours to complete any number of the 130 tasks listed that spanned all of Jakarta. The actual tasks for the scavenger hunt fell into two categories: things to photograph and things to gather. Items and pictures were assigned point values, so it was up the team to decide what mix would provide the greatest number of points given the time constraints. Teams could take pictures of relatively simple things to find in Jakarta such as two kampung kitties together (2 points) or more challenging things like a picture with your team at a snake blood vendor (20 points). There were also items everyone could gain points by while contributing to society such as donating books and puzzles at 1 point a piece which were given to Sahabat Anak. Regardless, teams needed to arrive at Eastern Promise in Kemang promptly at 6 pm lest they lose 3% of their total score per minute late.
At Eastern Promise, teams were greeted by another round of free flow beer and soft drinks. Armed with their arsenal of pictures and items, teams faced off against each other verifying tasks accomplished. Upon confirming the validity of successes, points were tallied and winners announced. The third place team, The Quatro, won dinner for four at Amigo's as well as Amigo's Margarita glasses. The Party Ardies, the second place team, won dinner for two and two one hour massages at The Dharmawangsa Hotel. Finally, our champions, Team Santa Fe, won the grand prize of four Blackberry Torch smart phones! Runner up prizes included two large pizzas at Papa Ron's and three one year subscriptions to the Jakarta Globe. Aside from the prizes, Starbucks donated 50 t-shirts and coffee vouchers, Santa Fe gave 40 Frisbees, and Eastern Promise passed out drink vouchers for all racers. So really, everybody won given double free flow, a unique event, and fabulous giveaways!
The first annual Amazing Big Durian Race was a stunning success! All participants thoroughly enjoyed themselves, exploring the city, meeting new people, and visiting new venues. Based on the popularity of this event, AmCham Young Professionals plan on hosting the 2nd annual Amazing Big Durian Race in 2012. So get to know your city, and maybe you will be a winner next year!
AmCham Young Professionals sincerely thank each and every one of our sponsors. Without them, the event would have not been as fun.
Please check these link below for the article about AmCham YP The Amazing Big Durian Race on Jakarta Globe.
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/entertainment/jakarta-set-to-host-amazing-race-of-its-own/442929
http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/jakarta/photo-finish-in-big-durians-amazing-race/443863
