Imagine a fun-filled day full of surprises, taking you to unexpected corners of New York City, completing a variety of tasks: some intellectually challenging, some downright comical. You're part of a duo, cheering each other on with determination and gusto. Dozens of other teams compete against you. You're all raising money for a fantastic charity -- Lambda Legal -- and at the end of it all, one pair wins a free week-long ski trip to the Italian Alps. This is The Bums Rush, and it's our annual fund-raiser inspired by the hit TV show, "The Amazing Race." This year's grand prize is a trip for two to the home of the 1956 Winter Olympics, the stunning Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

The Bums Rush is not what you might expect; as the last few years' finalists can attest, it's much more a contest of strategy than physical agility. The excitement culminates at The Bums Rush Finish Line Party, a LIVE grand finale with our top teams. That night, the winners will claim the Grand Prize -- winning seven nights of hotel accommodations with breakfasts and dinners, a six day lift ticket for the thrilling slopes of the Dolomites, and round-trip airfare from New York City.

There's more than one winning team!

ALL the contestants will all be entered into a series of additional prize drawings -- we'll be awarding free vacations to Colorado, California, Utah, Vermont and Wyoming... and a whole lot more!

Please see the "Sponsors" tab for a list of our generous donors.

Day of event info

Date: Sunday, September 20th, 2010

Time: Check-in begins at 10 A.M. The contest is roughly from 11 A.M. to 7 P.M. The top teams will compete in our Grand Prize Live Finale at 9:00 P.M.

Location: The contest stretches through various parts of New York City.

Cost: New for 2009, teams may register for The Bums Rush for free; in order to compete, all teams must raise or donate at least $100 by the day of the contest.

RESULTS:

BUMS RUSH 2009: OUR WINNERS ARE BEN & STEVE!

This year's edition of The Bums Rush was probably the most fun-filled we've ever had, as teams of two took a madcap journey through the masterpieces of Italian art & culture. They discovered The Pines of Rome, went ga-ga for Italian sculptors, and took a rapid-pace culinary tour of the Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy. See what they did >

During our live GRAND FINALE, our top 3 teams competed live on stage with a quiz show... followed by a re-enactment of the famous Italian "I Love Lucy" episode where Lucy stomps grapes in a winemaking romp.

Congratulations to this year's winners, Ben & Steve! Their passion, strategy and cleverness paid off, and they won our SKI BUMS 7-day trip to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy!!! Our other finalists didn't go home empty-handed. Duke and Reed -- in 3rd place -- won free ski jacket from EMS and free goggles Burton. And, Darren and Joe -- after a frenzied grape stomp showdown -- won a fantastic 3-day vacation to Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Best of all, The Bums Rush brought in just over $5,000 to benefit our fantastic charity, Lambda Legal. Thanks to everyone who participated, made a donation, and volunteered their time!

See more of our Social Events, including our Season Kickoff >

Now that the contest is over, we're very happy to present the full set of the 2009 Bums Rush clues! The theme for this year's race was "Masterpiece -- the art and culture of Italy." Each "run" was based on a type of Italian masterpiece. Have a look, and see how you'd do! Next year's edition will have another incredible grand prize trip to Europe... France perhaps? Austria? Switzerland? Join our mailing list and you'll receive an invite next year!

Each year, our teams of contestants receive a series of advance clues which they'll need to be able to answer on the day of the race. We give them a few days to research and learn the answers; the clues are listed here. If you know the answer -- or know how to find the answer -- you should definitely plan on entering next year's contest!

Listen to this movement from a masterpiece of Italian modern classical music. This musical work was the setting of a major piece of animation, featuring a cast of unlikely animals that took flight:

http://www.ski-bums.org/BumsRush09MusicalClue.mp3

QUESTION: Who composed this masterwork, and what were the large animals that were featured in this piece of animation?

Second advance clue

A highly influential masterpiece of Italian literature features a male-to-female conversion, enacted as a punishment for failing to predict the future accurately.

What is the title of this work of literature, who wrote it, and where is the passage that mentions the male-to-female conversion?

Third (and final) advance clue

This painting by an Italian master painter displays one of his most highly-admired characteristics, the use of tenebrism. Notorious for bar-room brawls and an irritable demeanor, his reputation grew after his young death. A recent award-winning biography by an Australian author alleged that he was bisexual, and that he had a young male companion who modeled for many of his works -- including this one. One modern art critic has observed: "With the exception of Michaelangelo, no other Italian painter exercised so great an influence." What artist painted this painting, where in New York City can you find it, and according to the account of this recent biographer, who is the young man that is pictured here?

Be prepared to have fun. Be prepared to think and strategize. And, be prepared to act fast. If you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, then you've got all the physical agility you'll need to win, but you'll want to be sure you're dressed very comfortably. ;)

Requirements:

• To participate, each team must raise or donate at least $100 by the day of the contest.
• To win the Grand Prize trip to Cortina d'Ampezzo, you must attend our Finish Line Party that evening, where the top finalists will compete LIVE in our Grand Finale at 9 PM. All contestants will have a break beforehand to get dinner and freshen up.
• Contestants must be at least 21 years of age.

What you'll need on the day of the contest:

• Each team must have at least one digital camera (with an on-screen display) which will be used throughout the race to verify that you've performed certain tasks. A smartphone / iPhone is not a suitable camera -- you're going to need a real camera with a blank memory card and a fully charged battery.
• Each contestant must have a valid New York City MTA MetroCard (it can be a $8 unlimited day "fun pass" if you like).



• A bag or backpack for the day's materials.
• Casual clothes and comfortable shoes!
• A sack lunch or money for lunch, and water / energy drinks to stay hydrated.
• At least $10 in cash.
• A cell phone.

How the fundraising works -- and how it can help you WIN:

Each team will receive a personalized Team Profile page to collect secure, online donations for The Bums Rush. You may also collect cash or checks (made payable to Lambda Legal) and submit them on the morning of the contest. The more money you raise, the better your chances are of winning The Bums Rush! View a sample Team Profile >

NOTE: All online donations must be received by Thursday, September 17th to count toward your team's fund-raising total. Your fund-raising total may be used along the course of the contest for additional bonuses or time penalties, tie-breakers, etc. In last year's edition, the top fundraising team was given a special prize: brand new full skiing / snowboarding outfits from Eastern Mountain Sports. Good karma pays off!

Lambda Legal is the oldest national organization pursuing high-impact litigation, public education and advocacy on behalf of equality and civil rights for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people and people with HIV. The work Lambda Legal does has impact on the way we live — by changing laws, policies and ideas. From their national headquarters in New York and four regional offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles, their legal and public education experts select the cases and issues that will have the greatest impact in protecting and advancing the rights of LGBT people and those with HIV.

Learn more about Lambda Legal >

All proceeds from The Bums Rush go directly to benefit Lambda Legal.

This is our 3rd annual edition of The Bums Rush, and we hope to surpass last year's fund-raising tally of $11,026 to help the fight for the civil rights of the LGBT community!

If you or your company would like to show your support by donating prizes or services for The Bums Rush, please email us. All support is greatly appreciated!

For seven days, Sept. 9 - 16, we're presenting a daily trivia question. If you know the answer, or you know how to find the answer, then you'd make a great contestant for The Bums Rush! We're also featuring our selection of incredible prizes, which all our contestants are eligible to win... just by entering the contest!

Get our trivia questions delivered to your inbox >

Day 1: Tiramisu

Famous throughout the world, some mistakenly believe that Tiramisu is an Italian dessert that's centuries old; in truth, the first mention of it showed up in a cookbook in 1983. If you think American-made tiramisu tastes good, we can speak from experience: it's amazing over there!

Today's featured prize: a weekend ski trip to Salt Lake City, Utah! Prize generously donated by the Salt Lake Convention & Visitor's Bureau and the Hotel Monaco.

The Carnivale dates all the way back to 1296! We're flying nonstop from New York to Venice on Delta Airlines, and whether you win our Grand Prize or you simply sign up to join the trip, you're welcome to change the dates of your flight if you'd like to arrive early or stay late. View the details of our trip >

Today's featured prize: a three-day luxury vacation to Jackson Hole, Wyoming! Prize generously donated by the Rusty Parrot Lodge & Spa and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.

Day 3: Tuscany

The sangiovese grape is also used in more modern wines known as Super Tuscans, an especially bold, full-bodied wine that's rocked the wine world. You can taste wines like these if you win today's featured prize, and the wine lists in Cortina d'Ampezzo are guaranteed to similarly blow you away!

Today's featured prize: a free wine course with Gourmet Magazine wine & spirits director Michael Green at The Gourmet Institute.

Day 4: David

An shoo-in contender for the title of the hottest man in marble, Michaelangelo famously believed that sculpting was a way of allowing a figure to escape from stone, that sculpture is an "art that takes away superfluous material." The giant chunk of marble he chose had already earned the nickname "the giant," an ironic nickname once he announced the subject he'd be sculpting.

Today's featured prize: two super durable, spacious travel duffel bags from our new friends at REI.

Day 5: I Love Lucy

Comedy this good just never gets old. To watch the clip, alongside some mad cool clips of skiing and snowboarding destinations for 2010, click here:

Today's featured prize: a very sweet setup for the Bums Rush top fundraising team from Eastern Mountain Sports.

Day 6: Julius Caesar

By all accounts, Caesar exhaled a tremendous sigh when he was murdered, and scientists at MIT have famously deduced that if you take a very deep breath today, you're certain to inhale at least one of the molecules that Ceasar exhaled in that final breath.

Today's featured prize: A weekend in Lake Tahoe, California, complete with a visit to Squaw Valley and accommodations at the super-stylish, eco-friendly 968 Park Hotel. How's that for a breath of fresh air?

Day 7: "Three Coins In The Fountain"

Like all traditions, this one has several versions; one legend says that you toss one coin into the fountain to guarantee a return to Rome, a second to find love upon your return, and the third to find your very own happily-ever-after. One thing that's guaranteed: your coins will go to a good cause. More than €3000 are collected every day from the bottom of the fountain, which is donated to Rome's food banks, the Red Cross, and other local charities. We'd love to raise even more than that for Lambda Legal!

Today's featured prize: a luxurious two night stay at the super-posh new Viceroy Snowmass at the base of Snowmass, complete with two spa visits and 2-day lift tickets to Aspen / Snowmass!

View them our new Flickr mobile site >

Q: What if I want to sign up for The Bums Rush, but I don't have a teammate?

A: Visit our Facebook page and post a response on our Bums Rush discussion board, letting the BUMS know that you're looking for someone who's in it to win it!

Q: Do i need to be in marathon-running shape to win this?

A: Not at all. As the last few years' finalists can tell you, winning The Bums Rush isn't about how fast you can run a city block; it's more about being on the right city block. That said, many contestants do choose to keep a quick pace during the contest, and you'll want to be sure you're wearing comfortable clothes. Jogging shoes, casual clothes, etc. will serve you well. Wear the kind of clothes you wouldn't mind doing a somersault in. ;)

Q: What will give me an advantage?

A: The Bums Rush is not merely a test of physical agility; it's also test of resourcefulness, logic, courage and luck. Having a good working knowledge of New York City will certainly help you, but so will knowing things about Italian culture, skiing and snowboarding, and world history. Last year's edition had a math challenge. We promise to surprise you.

Q: How much money do I need to raise in order to win?

A: We're not going to predict this one, but this year's Staggered Starting Line means that those who raise $1000 or more will be the first to begin the race -- a definite advantage, but not an insurmountable one. Remember that this is ultimately a fundraising charity event; try to raise as much as you can and plan on having a fun day.

Q: How do we we know how money we've raised so far? Will it automatically post to our profile page?

A: The SKI BUMS site doesn't have the high-tech capacity for up-to-date donation tallies. When you sign up, you can elect to have SKI BUMS email you regular donation tally updates; we'll also have a report on hand during check-in on the day of the contest with your fund-raising totals. We encourage you to create a Facebook or Twitter page that you can regularly update to let your support team know how you're doing!.

Q: Can we bring maps, etc. with us on the day of the contest?

A: Absolutely. You'll receive a full copy of the rules about one week before the race explaining everything you can and can't bring with you; you'll be welcome to bring maps, city guides, etc. to assist you.

Have a question that wasn't answered here? Email us >

Each team who signs up for this year's edition of The Bums Rush can have a profile page to help them collect donations for Lambda Legal. We're featuring those profiles here; have a look at the competitors and if you'd like to show your support, provide a donation!

Click the "Teams" tabs at right to view additional teams.

Click the "Teams" tabs at right to view additional teams.

Each team who signs up for this year's edition of The Bums Rush can have a profile page to help them collect donations for Lambda Legal. We're featuring those profiles here; have a look at the competitors and if you'd like to show your support, provide a donation!

Click the "Teams" tabs at right to view additional teams.

Today is the deadline to register for The Bums Rush! Sign up >