Part scavenger hunt, part wandering party, part workout, The Great Urban Race took place in South Beach on Jan. 30. A total of 220 participants, in teams of two people, navigated around the island by completing challenges. According to Lauren Shield, who helped organize the event, challenges included waxing a surfboard atF1RST Surf Shop, salsa lessons at Mango’s Tropical Café, using chopsticks at Konexpress Japanese Food, sharing cookies at Oasis Restaurant and polishing each other’s fingernails at Salon Blanco.

Elias Jimenez and Patrick Cowan of Team HOPS finished in 1 hour and 36 minutes and were followed seconds later by Team DunkN. Team Blue Barracudas rounded out Miami’s Top Three, with all three teams qualifying for free entry into the 2010 National Championship in Las Vegas.

Rachel and Mickey Planker of Team Planker Power earned the St. Jude Challenge award and the St. Jude Top Fundraising award for raising $550 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. The St. Jude Heroes from Miami helped raise a total of $2,006 for St. Jude.

Becky Fromm and Michael Borja of Team Peanut Butter Jelly Time were crowned the Best Costume winners, ending with a show-stopping, high-energy dance to “Peanut Butter Jelly Time!.” The Top Family team was Team Ambach (Kathy and Blake Ambach).