Adventure races come in all shapes and sizes, and Saturday's Oyster Urban Adventure Race has a little something for everyone.

The full course covers 20 to 30 miles and incorporates running and biking; the half course is just as the name indicates. Racers can compete in teams or as a relay group. Then there's the Oyster Shooter, which will cover five miles — all on foot — for individuals and is geared toward people without adventure racing experience.

All three races will be conducted on mystery courses around the city and will test racers' ability to locate clues, navigate and complete tasks and problems along the way.

"You'll see a side to Pittsburgh that you might not have seen before," race director Brian Hurst said. "You make the city your playground."

This is the first Oyster race in Pittsburgh, but the company is in its eighth year and produces races in 10 cities nationwide. If the name seems a little odd, there's a story behind it.

The name comes from Rocky Mountain "oysters," a — ahem — delicacy that's the stuff of legend in Colorado, where the series originated in 2003. The name stuck as the race expanded.

In an effort to offer an athletic event that would bring attention to the city, members of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council approached Oyster organizers about staging a race in Pittsburgh, Hurst said. A portion of the proceeds from the race will benefit the organization.

"You've got a bunch of water, bikeways and cool historic things, and the city has a lot of culture, so it's perfect for an urban adventure race," he said. "It has everything we need."

The course and tasks remain a closely guarded secret until race day, but mandatory equipment includes a digital camera, cell phone, a little cash in case public transportation is necessary and a pen or pencil. Past races have included the use of waterslides and amusement parks, beer pong, rollerblading, obstacle courses, rock climbing and kayaking, to name a few.

"We offer a division and a race for everyone," said Emily Salberg of the Oyster Racing Series. "The hardcore athletes enjoy it because it's a challenge and gives them something different, and people who just want to have fun like it as well because they can learn more about the city they're in."

As of Thursday, there were approximately 100 people registered for the Shooter and 200 registered for the full and half-distance events. Hurst said her group hopes to make it an annual event.

Read more: Unique race debuts this weekend in area - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/lifestyles/fitness/s_743697.html#ixzz1QCpUmx00