Robertson, Gooding at start line
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On your mark…. get set… RACE!
That’s what Tillsonburg students Sidney Robertson 18, and Mariah Gooding 19, will be doing a few weeks from now when they compete in the 10th annual Southern Ontario Amazing Race (SOAR) this June.
First-time participants, Robertson said she and Gooding learned about the unique racing event thanks to the popular TV Show, The Amazing Race.
“We actually learned that The Amazing Race Canada was going to be coming here for the first time so we wanted to apply for that,” said Robertson. “I was looking online for the application and discovered that application (deadline) was already past so that’s when I stumbled upon the Southern Ontario Amazing Race. We thought that we’d just give it a shot and apply.”
The race kicks off in Guelph on Friday, June 7 and runs until Sunday, June 9, taking teams across southern Ontario from Toronto to Windsor, with stops and tasks to complete along the way.
After applying, it took several weeks to find out if Robertson and Gooding made the cut as one of 25 teams vying for the $5,000 first place prize.
“It turned out that we actually were chosen as the first out of ten alternate teams - which means that if a team were to drop out, we would replace that team. A week later after we were notified about that, we were told that a team had to drop out suddenly and Mariah and I got put into the race,” explained Robertson.
The two-member team from Tillsonburg is looking forward to the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing event.
“It’s always been something I’ve been interested in,” said Robertson. “I know both Mariah and I are really excited. We’re both pretty positive people and we think we have a pretty good chance.”
The duo is just as pleased to be helping raise funds for a good cause - there is a suggested amount of $5,000 for each team.
“All of the money that Mariah and I raise, 100% of the proceeds, are going straight to the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington,” said Robertson. “As two teenagers from Tillsonburg, we’re trying to get as much community and local support as we can from various businesses, organizations and different people that we know from the community.”
Robertson and Gooding will personally be holding a fundraiser for the event, a May 25 car wash and barbecue at the ReMax parking lot on Broadway in Tillsonburg.
“That’s just one of the things that we’ve planned,” said Robertson.“$5,000 is a lot of money for us to raise, but we’ve had experience with different fundraisers within our school and with various clubs so we’re looking pretty hopeful and trying our best to think of creative ways to raise this money.”
Those wishing to contribute to their goal and help the Tillsonburg team can visit the SOAR website at www.therace.ca and donate online, as well as read the team bio on Robertson and Gooding.
“Comparing what we’re doing to The Amazing Race Canada, it’s much different,” said Robertson. “But at the same time it’s still going to be a challenge and it’s still going to be a thrill for the both of us to participate.”