The first annual “Be Amazing! Race”, a fundraiser based off the reality TV show The Amazing Race, will be held this summer by the local, non-profit organization Mainstream Living.

Kick-off for the event will be June 15, at 1 p.m.

“Our Be Amazing! Race is just like the television show. We will have teams of two that will get clues leading them all around Ames,” said Amber Corrieri, director of development at Mainstream Living. “There are different businesses and other local organizations that are hosting the challenges, so they’re all kind of unique to Ames.”

Corrieri said teams will compete, achieve the next clue and continue on throughout the afternoon. The winning team will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

This is the first year for the fundraising event in Ames. Corrieri explained how the idea came up.

“There are a lot of non-profit organizations in Ames and there are a lot of fundraisers,” Corrieri said. “Because of that, we were really just trying to find something that would be different, but would still be fun for people and would obviously bring some attention to our organization and help raise some money for our programs.”

Corrieri said all the challenges will remain a secret.

“We’ve got a really good mix of challenges,” Corrieri said. “There’s nothing too crazy that people would not be able to complete, but things that involve our parks, things that involve food and puzzle type things.”

30 teams of two people can sign up for the race. Corrieri said she hopes throughout the years that number will continue to increase.

“We need tons of volunteers too. So if people still want to get in on the action, but don’t want to race, they can sign up to volunteer as well,” Corrieri said.

Volunteer positions range from following a team around the course to helping teams register before the race starts. People can decide if they want a smaller volunteer position or get involved all day.

Different kinds of teams have signed up so far, ranging from Illinois, high school girls, and parent-child duos.

“As far as the actual race goes, the unknown is exciting, because we have no idea what the challenges will be like,” said Sara Wilson, a race participant.

Wilson and her friend will be participating as a team and are looking forward to an exciting day.

“Well first of all I absolutely love the show amazing race. If I were every to be on a reality show I would pick that one,” Wilson said. “More importantly I really appreciate all Mainstream living is doing and I believe in their mission. With the two combined it sounded like a fun opportunity and a fun way to help an organization in a meaningful way.”

Corrieri encourages others to sign up as well.

“People should register as soon as possible,” Corrieri said. “Only because part of the challenge is to raise money and get team support, and teams get incentives as they raise dollars too.

“There are different thresholds, so if you raise $500, you get a one minute head start and that continues to increase. There’s some other prizes along the way too. The top three fundraising teams get a pass to skip a challenge. If a team raises $2,500 and wins the race then they win an extra $1,000.”

When teams register online they will be connected to create their own personal websites with all the tools they will need to email or contact people via social networks to fundraise.

A celebration after all of the teams complete the challenges will hold dinner, drinks, live music and an award ceremony. Corrieri said tickets will be available to the public for very reasonable price.

Mainstream’s goal is to raise $25,000 that will be used to expand their services for people with severe disabilities.

“Obviously we want people to come out and support our programs that support people with disabilities, but really I think this event is unique,” Corrieri said. “It’s going to be fun, it’s something we haven’t had around here, and I just think its going to be a really good experience for people who are adventurous and willing to commit a few hours doing crazy things that they would not get to do otherwise.”