CEDAR FALLS -- Charity is serious business.

About 50 two-person teams nearly knocked the doors off the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center Saturday to win the inaugural Cedar Valley Chase.

When organizer Sarah Pauls yelled "go" at high noon, participants flew out of the building as if she'd screamed "fire."

Teams paid $40 to compete in the event patterned after CBS's "The Amazing Race" and "City Chase." The object is to complete 10 of 12 challenges ranging from physical to intellectual -- but all a little whacky -- the quickest. The top three teams get prizes, while an estimated $4,000 in entry fees and sponsorships go to the Cedar Valley United Way.

Pauls and a few co-workers from ME&V came up with the concept, thinking it's a great way to get the under-40 crowd excited about giving and something people who aren't great athletes could do.

Don't tell the Wicked Witches, otherwise known as Tara Kane of Waterloo and Erin Holst of Cedar Falls, they aren't stellar athletes. Both believe their jogging and kickball prowess will serve them well. And they said they'll do anything -- well, almost anything -- to win.

"We are very competitive; we just wanted one more thing to win," Holst said with sarcasm. "I don't want to go in water. Last year I did the mud run and almost died."

Twelve challenges were spread throughout Cedar Falls and Waterloo. Teams were given a map and could go to any stop they chose in no particular order.

Until participants opened packets at the start of the race, nobody knew that challenges like dressing a goat, having a body part waxed and playing with pudding covered pumpkins blindfolded awaited.

Holst and Kane, sporting witch hats, traded in their broomsticks for a black Ford Edge to fly to the challenges.

"We're going to have a lot of fun," Kane said.

The same goes for the volunteers. Jennifer Simmer and Kelly Knott were having a ball watching teams try to put dog clothes on baby goats in a tent on Clark Drive in Cedar Falls. There were four outfits to choose from, including a Santa Clause coat.

"I think the participants are a little more skittish than the goats," Knott said laughing.

The animals, owned by Simmer's father, were more than willing participants. But that didn't make putting on a sweater and shoes any easier for Jared Hayes and Dave Guetterman.

Apparently, their goat-dressing skills weren't as sharp as expected.

"You got to go faster than that," Guetterman told his partner as he attempted to put shoes on each hoof. "We did not pick the best outfit."

At Farmers State Bank in Cedar Falls, the guys seemed to get the short end of the stick at the "Wax it Off" challenge. Participants had to choose if they wanted hair ripped off an arm, leg or face.

A few yells of discomfort from the back room didn't chase Ross Cain, who is far from being naturally hairless, away as he waited in line. Eventually, it was his turn.

Emily Ball generously applied the wax on Cain's leg. Rip!

"Oh, that was gross," Ball said after looking at the hair-filled fabric square.

Cain immediately replied, "I think it was more painful for her than me. I'll be back to finish the rest later."

Several teams commented before the race that a chance to help the community and fun enticed them to enter. Knott, who's also senior director for community resources, said the money raised will be used by United Way to help kids, provide income stability for local residents and help vulnerable populations, like the elderly.

Knott said applications for assistance are available. Money will be disbursed starting July 1.

"We want to win, but the most important is to help out the community and the United Way," Holst said.

Contact Matthew Wilde

at (319) 291-1579 or

matt.wilde@wcfcourier.com.