Like a hound hot on the heels of a wayward squirrel, Courtney
Prokopas will be chasing down clues in ALIVE Rescue’s 4th annual
Ride Alive scavenger hunt on bicycles in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 23.
Prokopas said the event is always one of the greatest adventures
she takes on every year. For example, two years ago, she found herself stuck
high atop a climbing wall at Lincoln Park Athletic Club during a climbing
challenge.
“I
was so amped to climb the wall that I scurried up as quickly as possible,” she
said. “Then, when I got to the top, I realized the instructor hadn't explained
how to get down. There I was, frozen at the top of the three story climbing
wall, with no clue how to get down. It was hard to hear the instructor that
high up, so he pantomimed repelling. I made it down safely and had a good laugh
about it all. Good thing I'm not too afraid of heights.”
As
in years past, teams of two cyclists will start from ALIVE Rescue’s Little
Barn, 2227 W. Belmont, at 10 a.m., and race their way down to Canine Crews, 1616
N. Washtenaw. A party for participants will be held at 3 p.m. and includes drinks,
vegetarian dishes, a raffle and prizes for teams that come in first, second and
third place, as well as awards for the top fund raisers.
The
money raised goes to support homeless animals.
Participants
can never be sure what challenges await them, which is what excites Prokopas. Last
year, teams took on dirt bike trails and paddled across the Chicago River in
kayaks.
“I'm
looking forward to seeing what adventures the Alive team has come up with this
year,” Prokopas said. “It will undoubtedly be a great time. My partner and
I are trying to defend our title of second place, and have a few awesome
costume ideas brewing.”
However,
Ride Alive isn’t the Iron Man. Prokopas, a recreational cyclist, said anybody
can do it.
“That's the best part about this event!” she said. “You
set your own course and your own pace.”
Of course, the ultimate reason Prokopas, a volunteer for
ALIVE, does this is for the animals waiting for their forever home. Providing food,
shelter, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and various other medical costs
requires capital. But, a close second reason is the thrill of the chase.
“I love ALIVE Rescue, scavenger hunts, and bicycling, so
it was a no-brainer for me to participate,” Prokopas said. “It just keeps
getting more and more exciting each year!”
Register before Aug. 10
to receive a Ride Alive T-shirt and gift bag filled with loot. Visit http://www.aliverescue.org/events/special-events/4th-annual-ride-alive/ to register.
