After the starting gun, over 20 teams made a dash from the school to the parking lot and to their vehicles. To complete the race, each team must travel to six locations around New Ulm, finish a specific task and return to St. Paul Lutheran. This year’s stops included the Glockenspiel, Napa Auto Parts, South Park, the second-floor of St. Paul’s, The Pinball Place and the Heritage Tree.

Amazing Race committee chairwoman Amy Rich, since this year was the 10th anniversary of the school’s Amazing Race fundraiser, they decided to add some nostalgia questions. For the first time in 10 years, one of the stops was St. Paul’s Lutheran itself. Teams needed to return to the school and visit the second floor to answer trivia questions about previous Amazing Race locations. Those who have participated in past Amazing Races had an advantage at this stop.

Other stops required teams to consume jello molds, locate a mini-disco ball or take a photo with New Ulm’s Heritage Tree.

Rich said there was some concern that the clue that led teams to Napa Auto Parts might have been too difficult, but in the end, only two of the 21 teams called in to ask for an extra hint.

St. Paul Lutheran’s 10th annual Amazing Race began at 1 p.m. sharp, with team making a run for their vehicles after the starting cannon was fired by the New Ulm Battery. Photo by Meredith Schladweiler

In an average year, the winning team finishes the race within 45 minutes. This year’s first-place team–The Filzen Four–reached the finish line at 47 minutes.

As the name suggests, the “Filzen Four” are a family of four: Brandon, Beth, Larken and Lottie Filzen.

This was the third time the Filzen Four have won St. Paul Lutheran’s Amazing Race contest. They placed third last year, but had won back-to-back years in 2022 and 2023.

Asked what the hardest challenge this year was, Lottie said the Heritage Tree clue was the hardest. It took them four pieces of the puzzle before they realized the tree was the stopping point.

The most fun challenge was finding the marble at The Pinball Place.

Participants in St. Paul Lutheran’s 10th annual Amazing Race make a dash for their vehicle following the starting gun for the competition. This year’s participants had to contend with a light snowfall. Photo by Meredith Schladweiler

Asked what the secret to winning the Amazing Race was, Beth Filzen said their driver, Brandon, grew up in New Ulm and knew the best route to reach every location quickly.

Brandon Filzen said that of all the years they competed, this was the hardest year to drive because of the recent snowfall. He said in planning a route, he tried to avoid intersections with stop signs.

The overall competition was another success for St. Paul’s Lutheran. The goal of the Amazing Race was to have fun and raise money for the school.

Rich said the money raised from team entry fees would go back to benefiting the school building.

St. Paul Lutheran’s Elementary teacher Christine Baganz (left) checks the answers provided by a member of “The Roman’s” team during The Amazing Race competition.

Beth Filzen hands over her teams sheet with the six signatures proving they had completed the six challenges required to complete St. Paul Lutheran’s annual Amazing Race competition. The Filzen Four were not the first team to arrive back at the school, but they were the first to arrive will required signatures, making them this year’s winners. This is the third year The Filzen Four have won the competition. Photo by Meredith Schladweiler

The Filzen Team team consisting of (left to right) Brandon Filzen, Beth Filzen, Lottie Filzen and Larked Filzen took first in St. Paul Lutheran’s Amazing Race competition Sunday. This is the third time the Filzens have won the competition in the ten years the race has been held.