Fear is not a factor for McGrath

November 25, 2004

Fear is not a factor for McGrath

Global TV airs program Saturday

by Keri Irwin

	McGrath receiving a clue that will guide them to the next ChasePoint on his Blackberry

Despite finishing third, Dalhousie's own, Pat McGrath (BSc'98) and teammate Scott MacDougall (BEng'04) overcame the challenges presented in Bell's City Chase and proved they were a strong force to be reckoned with.

So what exactly is the Bell City Chase? It can be described as an urban assault - the race combines elements from a scavenger hunt and obstacle challenge and is set within an urban setting. For reality television junkies, the chase is a "real-life version of The Amazing Race, Fear Factor and Survivor all rolled into one!" Teams of two compete throughout the city using their creativity, intelligence and athletic talents to ensure they are the first team to cross the finish line.

What is the incentive, you ask? Besides the ultimate prize of bragging rights, each a one-year lease of a brand new 2004 Volvo XC70 was on the line for each member of the winning team while an 8-day adventure trip for two to India awaited the second-place team. The third-place team would receive free travel to Africa.

With these prizes on the line, competition was fierce and the details of the race needed to be kept under strict wraps. So not to affect the outcome of the race and give teams any additional advantage, each team was given less than a day's notice of the destination, tickets were given out to McGrath on 1pm in the afternoon prior to the 7 a.m. flight that would take he and MacDougall to Vancouver.

Geared with only the clothes on their back and a backpack, each of the eight teams embarked upon the unique opportunity that would lead to many exciting challenges in the days to come. Upon landing in Vancouver, the teams were whisked off to Victoria, presented with camera cell phones and Blackberries that would be used to guide them through the race for the next 20 hours. When all was said and done, only 43 seconds separated the first, second, and third teams, the organizers could not have hoped for a more intense finish!

	McDougal (left) and McGrath test their physical strength and determination during the 20 hour race

Currently employed as the Dalplex Aquatic Coodinator, McGrath has always been an active individual. A former member of the Tiger's cross-country team, he got into adventure racing with MacDougall four years ago, "I got tired of running and needed a change". The two met through the Dal Adventure Racing Club that McDougal organized. As former race rivals, the two are a good team, as they understand each other's strengths and weaknesses, a partnership that won them the Halifax leg of the race, which qualified them for the Bell City Chase National Championships. Not an easy feat either, with approximately 2,800 participants competing in the regional competitions held in 7 cities, for a chance to be one of the 8 teams to qualify for the Nationals.

Although the race took place in September, Global television will be airing the race across the country during a special broadcast on Saturday, November 27, 10:30 a.m. local time.

Tune in, cheer on McGrath and McDougal and take in all the challenges first-hand as they navigate their way through Victoria completing a host of grueling tasks designed to challenge teams both mentally and physically. For more information, including links to each of the regional competitions go online to www.bellcitychase.com.