City Chase

When's the last time you bowled naked?

by Tiffany Jackson

City Chase has been called the "urban Amazing Race," but that metaphor falls flat for at least one reason: No one ever had to strip for the TV show.

"My most memorable challenge was the nude bowling at Lucky Strikes," says Eric Penney, who participated in last year's race. "Every time your partner missed a strike, an article of clothing had to come off."

Back for its second year, the competition will host more than 300 teams of two, who must complete various tasks throughout the city, like fencing lessons, ballet classes and handling snakes. Coordinator Marcia Callaghan says the teams will have to travel to landmarks as well as "local hidden gems" and utilize their mental agility, physical strength and sense of humor.

Penney and his partner, Marty Henry, went on to win the national championship, and later competed in the world championship in Morocco. His advice? "When we first began our journey in Philadelphia, we realized we were below the curve of strength and size," he says. "The race is not just a test of physical strength, though. It's a more of a mental and emotional combination. We used our knowledge of the city and won."

Being comfortable naked doesn't hurt, either.

Sat., May 16, $170 per team (register by Fri., May 15), Love Park, 1500 Arch St., 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 312-850-8196, citychaseusa.com.