The Salvation Army of Carlisle will hold “The Most Amazing Race,” a five-mile obstacle course charity run, around downtown Carlisle starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 9.  The winning team will receive a $1000 prize, and runner-ups will be presented with medals.

According to The Salvation Army website, the race “combines challenges that are physical, mental and sometimes even silly.” The race will be held in the style of CBS’s “Amazing Race” television show, and teams of two will be given clues at each checkpoint, where they will have to complete challenges.

The race will consist of eight challenges “within a 5-mile trek in and around Carlisle.” At each checkpoint, teams may be eliminated for not completing the assigned task within the time limit. The event will take an estimated four hours, including the closing ceremony.

Teams that wish to participate must fundraise a minimum of $250 for Salvation Army programs before the race, and teams that fundraise the most may be given advantages in the race. Fundraising will be mostly an online effort, and donations will be tax deductible. According to pa.salvationarmy.org, top fundraisers will be recognized at an awards ceremony and presented with prizes including gift cards to local establishments. Teams raising $1,000 or more will be invited guests of The Salvation Army at an annual dinner in June.

The Salvation Army gives few hints about the details of the challenges, though the website explains that the event “incorporates physical skill elements, such as running, combined with mental skills such as puzzle solving.” In addition, teams “may want to give thought to how you will approach a food challenge that features foods that may not be palatable to you,” and “consider the possibility that your clothing may get soiled or wet.”

Lauren Sheeler, business associate of the Salvation Army, says the race and the cash prize “should be a great draw for students who are paying for college.”

“Several Salvation Army Corps host this event across the country and have had tremendous success,” Sheeler said. “We are excited to bring The MOST Amazing Race to Carlisle and add our local flair.”

Participants must be 16 years of age or older, and anyone wishing to participate who is under 18 must have consent from a legal guardian.

Teams can register at pa.salvationarmy.org/carlisle/Most-Amazing-Race, and sign in on the day of the event starting at 8 a.m. at the Carlisle Fair Grounds.