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May is Preservation Month!

Established in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation Month is co-sponsored by local preservation groups, state agencies, and business and civic organizations across the country.

history of the AMAZING PRESERVATION RACE

For ten years, OHP’s Amazing Preservation Race (APR) has challenged of San Antonio’s finest to compete through feats of strength and knowledge. A clever mix of a scavenger hunt, trivia night, and obstacle course, APR features the local culture and history of San Antonio in this entertaining competition. Teams solve riddles to learn the location of each stop where they must then complete a mental and physical test. The first team to cross the finish line after fulfilling all challenges wins. To celebrate the return of APR for the first time since 2019, the Mayor and City Manager will engage in a friendly competition for the title of APR Champion! 

The Amazing Preservation Race first began in 2010 as part of Preservation Month. National Preservation Month was established in 1973 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is celebrated in May. In San Antonio, May is a celebration of the built heritage, cultures, ideas, and traditions that make our city unique.  Every year, OHP partners with several local San Antonio organizations to curate a comprehensive list of events that honor and showcase the city’s cultural heritage and traditions, ranging from parades to hands-on workshops.  

The race is a mix of a scavenger hunt, trivia night, and physical challenge competition.  Each team receives a race passport at the beginning of the race with their first clue and riddle, and a boundary map of the race area.  Teams have two hours to complete the race. At each destination teams will perform a challenge activity. The race begins and ends in the same location, with an after-party at the finish line.          

This event is an incredibly fun and a great presentation of San Antonio, bringing together community engagement and San Antonio culture and history. It addresses the City’s goals of fitness and spreading the love of San Antonio’s unique history. Many past participants participate year after year and inquire when the event will return. 

Check out photos from past races on Facebook to see all the fun!

2024 Amazing preservation race

The City’s Office of Historic Preservation invites you to face off in the ultimate urban scavenger hunt: The Amazing Preservation Race!  The only race of its kind – think CBS’s Amazing Race but in historic downtown San Antonio. Teams of 4 must follow clues and complete challenges to fill their passports before racing to the finish. The first team to cross the finish line with their completed passport wins! 

Friday, May 3
Legacy Park - 103 W Houston
Check-in @ 5:30 PM
Race start @ 6:30 PM

WHAT TO EXPECT @ THE AMAZING PRESERVATION RACE

The challenges' locations are top secret and spread apart. Expect to run/walk around 3 miles during the event. 

• Racers may use their cell phones to decipher clues and complete challenges. 
• The clues and challenge locations are based on San Antonio’s history and architecture.  
• No transportation beyond walking or running is allowed (no scooters, ride shares, etc.) 
• Teams are encouraged to be creative with a team name and costumes! 
• This is a competition! Prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers, best costume, and best team spirit. Top prizes include staycations!

After Party 

After crossing the finish line, racers can enjoy some food from Pinkerton's at no cost. Celebrate your accomplishment in Legacy Park with food and music, and stay for the award ceremony! 

Looking for teammates? If you are interested in participating but need help finding other team members to round-off a team of four, email Meagan.Lozano@sanantonio.gov 

For general questions email info@sapreservation.com or call Lauren @ 210-207-3327. 

2023 race results

Friday, May 12, 2023, 53 teams signed up to face-off for another installment of the Amazing Preservation Race. Find out who took up the championship. 

Thank you for celebrating Preservation Month with us! Take a look at some of the campaigns and presentations from past years below.  

2021

• Historic Run Crew Each week we shared a route that went by a place with a special story marked with our There’s a Story Here markers program.  
• Historic Reservations released a new episode – a tour and interview with its owner/chef and architect of Best Quality Daughter. 
• San Antonio’s Acequias Our City Archaeologists explored the archaeology of San Antonio’s acequias (irrigation features dating back to the Spanish Colonial period).  
• ScoutSA Virtual Classroom We revealed the tools of the trade and help you become a citizen historian! We talked how to get started on any place-based research project. 
• Rehabber Club Virtual Series The speakers talked about pre-construction assessments, evaluating material condition, integrating modern systems without compromising historic integrity, and maximizing the retention and reuse of existing material. 
• Best Practices in Cemetery Conservation Architectural Conservator Izabella Nuckels discussed best practices for cemetery conservation, the Historic Eastside Cemeteries, and headstone cleaning and repair. 
• Tiny Mighty: Tiny Houses of San Antonio The premiere of San Antonio Tiny Mighty, a short film on the cultural history of San Antonio’s shotgun homes, followed by a discussion. 

2020 

• Legacy Business of the day! Each week in May, we honored our Legacy Businesses on social media.
• ScoutSA Snapshots The ScoutSA team debuted a new Snapshot of special places in San Antonio every Friday in May!