Diane and Will
Met July 2005 at a Pogo Event
Married October 27, 2007
When telling the story of how we met, Will always jokes to his friends that he went on a treasure hunt and found his treasure. All gagging aside, we really do owe our marriage to Mary and Pogo Events. In July of 2005, Pogo was just getting started and I was new to NYC. I had met Mary earlier, and she told me that she would be running a photography race around the city. I thought it would be a great opportunity to make some friends, so I signed up. A few minutes after I arrived at Chelsea Piers, a cute Englishman came along. We were on different teams, and didn't talk much until drinks after the race. I thought he was rather charming, but we didn't exchange information. A few months later, I was helping Mary run The Amazing New York Race when that same cute Englishman showed up. We started chatting before the race, and immediately found each other at the after-drinks. We ended up going out to dinner with a few other people, and then Will and I split off and walked around the city for hours, just talking. Two years later, we were married. We now live in England, and miss Pogo's races so much that Will has actually organized one or two races over here for our friends! I would highly recommend Pogo Events for anyone looking to run around the ciy, have a few laughs and meet some amazing people. - Diane
Lana and Colleen - "Game Time Who?"
Winners of Singles Race
May 31, 2009
What is the story behind the Team Name?
We were thinking and thinking and just nothing seemed to fit. We were eating our game time breakfast to get us ready for the race, and as we were aboutto leave the table Colleen spurts out, Game Time Who? It was the perfect name, makes no real sense at all but to get one excited!
How do you know each other?
We went to college together and now are roommates.
Why did you decide to do the Amazing New York Race?
It was a night before decision.
What was your favorite part?
Getting to meet fun, new people, and seeing so many beautiful sites of the city we never knew existed.
Why would you recommend it?
No better way to spend a Sunday, especially when its nice out. Something totally different to get you off your butt and moving around. HIGHLY recommend it to anyone. We had such a blast!!! Thank you Mary.
John Paul, Bill, Anthony, Michael, Sean and Craig
Winners of Gay Pride Week Kickoff Race
June 20, 2009
What is the story behind the Team Name?
Two of the team members, John Paul and Craig, came up with the idea of using the singer "P!nk" rather than the color and spinning it into our interpretation of the color. We then had a team meeting where it was decided we would utilize P!nk's song "Stupid Girls" as our team name and each member would become a "Stupid Girl" (someone who is often in the media for embarrassing things) and we doled out the individual nicknames on the back of the shirt from that.
How do you know each other?
We have all known one for or another met in a bar or club in New York City and DC. Two of the participants (Sean and Anthony) know each other from high school. The next longest friendship are the "Roommates" John Paul and Billy at 7 years, and Craig and Michael we picked up along the way during our fabulous adventures in New York City.
Why did you decide to do the Amazing New York Race?
It was primarily John Paul who wanted to participate and he contacted each of us to become team members, which we readily agreed. We thought it would be a fun idea to enjoy together.
What was your favorite part?
We liked everything - we thought it brought out our competitive nature and allowed us to interact in ways we might normally not.
Why would you recommend it?
We would definitely recommend it. We thought it was extremely fun and we all bonded and got to expose a different side of our personalities to each other. We recognized the competitive spirit that is in each of us, and appreciated each other even more at the end of the day. Especially when we won by a landslide!
Ariane, Roy and Grace - "Dumb Blondes (trying to act smart)"
Winners of Halloween Race
October 25, 2009
What is the story behind the Team Name?
We all have dark hair and pride ourselves on being 'unblond', so we thought 'dumb blondes trying to look smart' hit the nail on th head.
How do you know each other?
Roy and I are a couple and Grace is Roy's supercool daughter.
Why did you decide to do the Amazing New York Race?
I saw it announced on eventme.com and thought it would be a fun event to see the city, have some good laughs and to do something challenging together. I used to love doing treasure hunts as a kid, so this brings back great memories!
What was your favorite part?
The costumes definitely made the whole experience even better. Roy got several comments from guys saying "I wish I had a full head of hair like you" and Grace looked so adorable with her shimmery eye makeup and her glamor wig that we got a lot of looks from people in the street, thinking we must be insane or something. We loved seeing so many parts of the city and having to figure out where the clues had to be found with quite a few time restrictions. We also had fun watching Grace do the candy challenge. She had to taste them while blindfolded and she got almost all of them right. We were mega impressed!
Why would you recommend it?
The Amazing Race was a great way to spend a day with fun people, see the city, use your brain, and goof off all under the guise of having to complete challenges. Asking strange people to pose in weird poses in front of the camera was absolutely fun!
Ashley, Dana, Jen and Natalie - "Tinker Tots"
Winners of "Underground Race"
January 10, 2010
What is the story behind the Team Name?
Ashley went to the party store and fell in love with the green Tinkerbell stuff. Thus The Tinker Tots! Everyone seemed to think we were Irish.
How do you know each other?
Dana, Jen and Natalie went to college together. Ashley and Dana met through mutual friends.
Why did you decide to do the Amazing New York Race?
Dana saw it on Goldstar and thought it sounded really cool. The rest agreed.
What was your favorite part?
Hmmm, tough to decide. It was fun talking to strangers. i think our favorite location for pictures was the hats at 23rd Street. We learned a lot about the city too!
Would you recommend it?
Already have been!
Stephanie, Shirley, Andrea and Andrew - "Cornell Domino"
Winners of "Underground Race"
March 7, 2010
What is the story behind the Team Name?
We all went to school together and love to show our school pride.
How do you know each other?
We are all on Alumni Class Council.
Why did you decide to do the Amazing New York Race?
Because we wanted to explore the city and learn more about it.
What was your favorite part?
Ambushing random people on the subway! Also, discovering new brunch places.
Why would you recommend it?
So much fun! A great bonding experience. Learn lots of new things about New York.
