Seniors First Invites the Community to Compete, Explore, and Give Back in the First Annual Amazing Race Challenge

A new kind of adventure is coming to the Shenandoah Valley this summer, and it’s got something for everyone—exploration, excitement, and the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of local seniors. Seniors First, the Shenandoah Area Agency on Aging, is hosting its first-ever Amazing Race Challenge on Friday, July 19, 2025—a region-wide, app-based scavenger hunt, and fundraiser designed to bring the community together in a fun and innovative way.

Inspired by the television hit The Amazing Race, this unique event takes teams of 2–4 players through a self-guided journey across the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Participants will complete creative and interactive challenges in their chosen county—Warren, Frederick, Clarke, Page, Shenandoah—or the City of Winchester, with each challenge earning them points on the leaderboard.

“This event is fun, flexible, and built for all ages,” said Greg Stockton, Director of Development at Seniors First. “While our mission focuses on older adults, this race is really for everyone. It’s a way to explore your own community, learn about local resources, and support a cause that helps our seniors stay connected, independent, and healthy.”

How the Race Works

Teams begin by registering at givebutter.com/c/AmazingRace25. The entry fee is $25 per person, and teams can consist of 2 to 4 members. At least one team member must be 25 years or older to serve as the team leader and driver of a licensed, insured vehicle.

Each team chooses which county or city they’d like to explore. Challenges are designed to be mostly vehicular, meaning participants will drive to specific destinations within their chosen territory. Some challenges involve snapping team selfies at landmarks like trailheads, parks, or iconic town spots; others may ask teams to interact with local businesses, make predictions (like guessing the ice cream flavor of the day), or perform fun team tasks that they’ll upload directly through the app.

To play, participants must download the Eventzee app (available in the App Store and Google Play). One day before the race, each registered team will receive a unique code to access the event inside the app. On July 19 at 10:00 a.m., the race goes live. Teams can begin their challenge anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., but once they hit “start,” their team’s race clock begins and continues running until the race ends, or they finish their chosen challenges.

“You don’t have to race across all five counties,” Stockton said. “You can stick to just your local area and still complete enough challenges to earn high points and have a blast doing it.”

Teams earn points by completing as many challenges as possible before the 5:00 p.m. deadline. Some challenges offer higher point values than others. In the case of a tie, the team that finishes in the shortest amount of time will take the lead. Bonus challenges are available for more ambitious teams or those wanting to venture outside their primary county.

The Grand Finale Celebration

After the race, everyone is invited to the Grand Finale Celebration at the Warren Senior Center (15th Street, Front Royal). Starting at 6:00 p.m., this wrap-up event will feature a BBQ dinner catered by Clay’s BBQ, live entertainment, and a hybrid silent/online auction with a wide variety of prizes.

Auction items include:

• Taylor Swift memorabilia, including a framed, hand-autographed CD collection
• One-day tickets to Kings Dominion
• A Nashville foodie tour
• Game night gift packages from Play Anything
• A New Zealand golf vacation
• And much more

Tickets to attend the finale (for non-racers) are available for $25.

Fundraising Goals & Incentives

In addition to racing, teams are encouraged to fundraise for Seniors First General Operations, which helps the organization respond quickly to urgent needs—whether that’s fixing a broken-down delivery vehicle or paying for emergency home repairs for an older adult.

Teams can create fundraising pages through the event website and share them on social media, by email, or with friends and family. Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraising teams:

• $500 for 1st place
• $250 for 2nd place
• $100 for 3rd place

The overall fundraising goal is $8,000, and Stockton hopes that the community’s love for competition—and care for their neighbors—will help exceed it.

Why It Matters

For more than 50 years, Seniors First has helped older adults across the Northern Shenandoah Valley age in place by providing:

• Home-delivered meals
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Wellness programs
• Caregiver support
• Daily social engagement through senior centers

General funds help Seniors First remain flexible and responsive in times of emergency—something that more restricted grants don’t always allow. As Stockton explained, “If a roof starts leaking at a senior’s home or we have a bus out of service, unrestricted funds mean we can fix it fast. That’s why this race is so important.”

Whether you’re a high school student, a retiree, a family looking for a summer outing, or a group of coworkers seeking a team-building challenge, the Amazing Race Challenge offers a fun, memorable way to make a real difference.

How to Get Involved:

1. 1. Register your team at givebutter.com/c/AmazingRace25
   2. Download the Eventzee app and get your race code
   3. Fundraise using your team page or traditional sponsorship
   4. Compete in the scavenger hunt on July 19
   5. Celebrate at the Grand Finale party starting at 6 p.m.