City Chase ... The World's Largest Urban Adventure Series Hits the U.S. at Full Speed

CHICAGO, April 1, 2008 /PRNewswire/ -- Think reality TV is the only way prove your stamina, test your digestive system and conquer your fears? Think again. City Chase, The World's Largest Urban Adventure Series, is launching its building-rappelling, snake-slithering, Sudoku-solving, endurance-testing experience across the United States this summer with an eight-event series.

City Chase invites everyone from couch potatoes to athletes to reality TV fanatics to compete in physical, mental and adventurous challenges that will take them out of their comfort zones, if not around the globe. Entering its fifth year, the international phenomenon is making stops in Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Francisco, San Diego, New York, Boston, Seattle and Chicago beginning in May.

"City Chase has provided thousands of everyday people around the world the chance to experience 'reality' first-hand," said Nick Jelinek, founder, City Chase Inc. "This event will test personal limits and make people active thrill-seeking participants."

This part obstacle course-part scavenger hunt adventure starts with teams of two receiving a clue sheet detailing ChasePoints, a variety of physical, intellectual and humorous challenges in unknown locations throughout the city. "Chasers" use teamwork, resourcefulness, determination and the ability to make decisions on the fly as they run, walk and use public transit to navigate their way throughout the city.

"Past participants have said this is the coolest thing they've ever done in their lives," said Jason Erkes, managing partner, City Chase USA. "City Chase is an event that you don't have to audition or train for -- you just need to register, show up and be ready to have an adrenaline-filled day."

Teams can call family and friends for help, access the internet, and even get the help of complete strangers. To succeed in this day of Laughter, Adventure and Discovery, participants must complete 10 ChasePoints and cross the finish line first. The winning team from each Regional event will compete in an epic National Championship adventure to be held in a secret location. The victors will represent "Team USA" at the 2008 World Championships in November at a secret international destination.

Team composition is entirely up to the participants. Fathers and sons, husbands and wives, best friends, neighbors -- all are welcome. "The winning team does not have to be the most athletic, but will win because they have an unbeatable combination of camaraderie and inventiveness," noted Erkes.

City Chase is the only event of its kind and it helps local participants rediscover the beauty of their city, from city architecture to city culture. While on a one-day tour to self-discovery, individuals will have the opportunity to complete ChasePoints that benefit local charities. Past events included City Chasers cleaning up local parks, painting classrooms and dancing in public for charitable donations.

"This is about the whole human experience -- mind, body and soul," said Jelinek. "City Chase USA is probably the one event that will leave the city cleaner than when the race began."

City Chase launched in Canada in 2003. Its popularity caused it to outgrow the provinces' borders, expanding into other countries such as Australia and the UK. Last year, City Chase made its U.S. debut in Chicago with 1,000 residents participating in a thrilling day of events. Over the past four years, more than 20,000 people from around the world have competed in and conquered a City Chase adventure.

    2008 City Chase event series schedule:
    -- Philadelphia                                   May 3
    -- Atlanta                                        May 17
    -- San Francisco                                  May 31
    -- San Diego                                      June 7
    -- New York                                       June 28
    -- Boston                                         July 19
    -- Seattle                                        Aug. 9
    -- Chicago                                        Aug. 23
    -- U.S. Championships                             October
    -- World Championships                            November

To learn more or to sign up for City Chase, visit http://www.citychase.com.

About City Chase Inc.

Toronto-based City Chase Inc. (CCI) is the operating company of City Chase, a global consumer event series, offering unique experiential one-day events in various major markets throughout the world. 2008 is again a year of expansion and growth as City Chase extends to 15 countries across the globe with regional events and a National Championship in both the U.S. and in Canada. In addition to U.S. events in Philadelphia, Atlanta, San Francisco, San Diego, New York, Boston, Seattle and Chicago, City Chase events take place in Australia, Canada, England, Hong Kong, Singapore, France, Portugal, Italy, Germany, Ireland, and Spain. Winning teams from around the world compete in the World Championships to be held in a secret destination.