For the last five years, St. Paul’s has been hosting an Amazing Race event every year. Different teams meet at the school before racing out to be the first to solve of series of clues scattered around New Ulm. This year saw the highest team turnout, with 32 teams participating in the contest.

The teams lined up on the curb in front of St. Paul’s a little before 1 p.m. The team provided the best clue suggestion for next year–The Hammer Happy Hustlers–received a 90-second head start. At exactly 1 p.m. the rest of the teams received the signal to start, courtesy of the New Ulm Battery firing off a round.

With the cannon fire, the remaining 31 teams scrambled to their vehicles in a race to solve the seven clues.

Planning Committee member for the event Laura Martens said this year because of COVID all of the clues were located at outdoor locations. Fortunately, the weather cooperated.

Staff photo by Clay Schuldt The New Ulm Battery fired off a round to start the 5th Annual Amazing Race at St. Paul’s Lutheran Elementary School. This year 32 teams competed in the contest.

The various clues sent teams to each corner of New Ulm. After firing the starting cannon, other New Ulm Battery members waited at the headquarters on the north side of town. Teams had to learn the process of firing the cannon from battery members while one team member ate a spicy snack.

A Harman Park, teams needed to decipher a clue done in sign language before running to the Waraju Distillery ruins for the next clue.

Sippet’s drive-thru also featured an important clue and a chance for the teams to get a bagel.

At the Schell’s Brewery, the team needed to find one of 31 bottle openers before finding a clue at the deer pen.

This year’s race ended with a dash to the New Ulm Municipal Airport.

This year’s two awards were given out to the first place adult team and first place family team, but the real victory was the pride of taking first.

Sarah Zahrt on the event planning committee estimated 155 people took part in the Amazing Race contest this year. The race serves as a fundraiser for the school building. St. Paul’s finished adding to the building last year.