A competition this weekend in New Town will get participants’ hearts racing in an effort to keep more beating nationwide.
The third HeartChase Williamsburg comes to New Town at 9:30 a.m. Saturday with a scavenger hunt in a series of five-minute challenges. Teams of two to five people can register for the American Heart Association event that raises money for heart disease research, in which higher contributions earn advantages during the afternoon’s play.
For co-chair Donna Duerson, who got involved through her work at Riverside, HeartChase is more than a fun game in the fall air. The Lancaster County resident remembers preparing for the event last year with her husband’s support.
Then, in April, he died suddenly of a heart attack at age 51. He was apparently healthy, serving as deputy sheriff for the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Department, and with more than 20 years as a member of the White Stone Volunteer Fire Department.
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HeartChase Williamsburg runs from 9:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, starting at Sullivan Square in New Town.
Registration is open through Friday. Click here to sign up a team.
Those who miss the chance to participate can still make a donation online.
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Shocked at the loss, Duerson dove into planning HeartChase in his memory.
“It really took on a different meaning, personal meaning this year, because of him,” she said.
This year’s event has a goal of 75 teams and $30,000 raised by them. In 2013, HeartChase pulled in $19,700 from 300 participants, making it one of the best-attended events in the country.
In addition to the thrill of competing in challenges as a team – many of whom dress in group costumes – the game’s checkpoints are designed to raise awareness for heart disease and overall health.
“All the games try to have some sort of physical activity to them, or something related to heart disease or stroke,” Duerson said. They might be word puzzles, a high-energy relay or the task of passing a hula hoop without using one side of the body, as if paralyzed from a stroke.
Teams will navigate using a HeartChase app, and earn points for each challenge completed before time runs out.
The top finishers will earn a prize package from local business sponsors, which includes tickets to Ripley’s Believe It or Not and Busch Gardens’ Christmas Town.
New to this year’s event is a special competition between community leaders and executives, along with their organizations. Karen Riordan, president CEO of the Greater Williamsburg Chamber and Tourism Alliance, and David Masterson, president of Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center, issued a challenge to compete against their teams at HeartChase.
Other groups joined in the Executive Challenge – Chesapeake Bank, Great Wolf Lodge, DoubleTree by Hilton and more – to raise money and compete.
Each chose a “shaming activity” to inflict if they are triumphant. Duerson said it could be performing a silly dance or kissing a pig, but it will have to be completed in front of everyone attending.
With HeartChase coinciding with Chesapeake Bank’s Shop Local Day, she encouraged residents to come enjoy the day in New Town.
“It is a fun event to come and watch and participate, and obviously it’s for a good cause,” she said.
To learn more, visit the HeartChase Williamsburg website.
