2025 Amazing Race: United for Change Rule Manual

Manual

2025 Amazing Race: United for Change

Oconee County, SC

Date of Event: 10/11/25

 

* Previous winners are not eligible to register. Individuals who were previously or are currently affiliated with the event’s planning committee, as well as their family members, may not compete.

**All racers must complete a waiver and provide it to the starting crew before beginning the race.

 

OVERVIEW

What is the inspiration behind the Amazing Race: United for Change?

This event is based on ideas from the hit CBS reality television show, The Amazing Race.  

How does the race work?

Teams of two begin at a starting point, where they receive their first challenge. Upon completing that challenge, they receive a clue that tells them where to drive next. At each subsequent stop, a member of the team (unless noted for both) must complete a challenge to receive another clue. Once all stops have been located and challenges completed, team members race back to the finish.   

Who can participate?

Register at https://buy.stripe.com/6oEeW3441d9M7iE5kk. You do not have to be an Oconee resident. Anyone 18 or older can participate in United Way of Oconee County’s Amazing Race: United for Change. At least one team member must have a valid driver’s license, auto insurance, and reliable transportation. * Previous winners are not eligible to register. Individuals who were previously or are currently affiliated with the event’s planning committee, as well as their family members, may not compete. *

RACE RULES

Teams that disobey rules will be disqualified. Teams must obey all laws, including all traffic rules. Teams will be given an emergency contact but must use this for emergencies only and not for reporting other teams. Teams are allowed to use their phones during the race but may not contact other people for help.

PRE-RACE PACKET DISTRIBUTION

Packets will be distributed at the starting point (United Way of Oconee County, 4 Leas Courtyard Dr., Seneca) from 7:15 to 7:45 am. Teams must report to the Registration tent to retrieve their packet. The packets include: 2 bibs, 2 event shirts, and 2 swag bags. A light breakfast will also be served at this time. Nearby restrooms may be utilized to change into event shirts before the start, if teams would like to wear their shirts during the event. Participants are welcome to wear team costumes!

EMERGENCY PLAN

The organizers are in contact with the city and county governments to provide a safe and enjoyable race experience. In case of emergency, call 911.

MEDICAL SERVICES: Emergency medical personnel will be on site at the starting location.

POLICE / SHERIFF: The organizers have coordinated with city police departments and the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.

SAFETY: Teams must obey all road rules, crosswalks, and traffic signals. Teams must park legally at each stop. Teams must display their 2025 Amazing Race: United for Change hangtag in their car for the duration of the race. If a team is caught by a volunteer or stopped by law enforcement for any reason during the race, that team is immediately disqualified.

FIRE: The Seneca Fire Department has a station close to registration. Multiple fire stations around the county can be utilized.  They will be on alert that we are hosting an event. The department is staffed with paramedics.

RACER INJURY / EMERGENCY: All racers have been asked to provide their contact information and an emergency contact in their registration.  

EMERGENCY EVACUATION: If any challenge station experiences an emergency or must be evacuated, organizers will direct that the station be skipped, and an alternate route will be devised.

MEDIA

United Way of Oconee County staff will organize interviews, direct reporters and photographers, and issue press releases. Staff and volunteers will be photographing challenges throughout the race. Pictures and video footage captured during the race will be shared on United Way of Oconee County’s social media pages and used on marketing materials.

VOLUNTEERS

The Amazing Race: United for Change requires trained staff and volunteers to run all the events and logistics.  Volunteers will oversee their assigned stations. They are only trained on their station. Volunteers have no knowledge of the racecourse other than the stop where they are working and cannot help with clues or challenges. We will also need volunteers to help with set-up, assisting racers at the registration table, directing teams to bathroom facilities, etc.

CHALLENGE STATIONS

Both team members must be present at each stop check-in. Upon arrival at a stop, teams will receive instructions at the volunteer tent. The Amazing Race: United for Change participants must have ONE member of their team complete the challenge presented at each station. Once a member of the team has been identified to complete the task at a specified stop, that member must complete the task before moving on to the next stop. The task must be completed and verified by the assigned volunteer. Teams will then receive a clue to continue to the next destination. If the team is unsuccessful in completing the task accurately, they are allowed to continue working on the task assigned. However, there is a 60-minute time limit for each stop. Teams will be kept in the order of arrival, but remember that complete teams (both members) must be present before being recognized as arriving. Be careful because there may be an elimination along the way! All challenges must be set up and staffed at least 1 hour prior to expected team arrivals.

FAST FORWARDS: If teams have purchased a Fast Forward (limit of 1 per team), they must give their pass to the volunteers PRIOR to attempting the challenge.

U-TURNS: These are special passes located at some stops. Upon drawing a U-Turn, the team member who did not attempt the challenge must go back and complete it. This pass applies even if the team has used a Fast Forward at the stop.

FINISH LINE FESTIVAL

The Finish Line Festival is the main gathering spot for the race. Food, drink, and music greet participants at the end of the race. This is when the prize presentation will occur. Friends and family of participants are welcome to join!