THE FORGETTABLES team, sponsored by the Versailles Police Department, competed in the four-person men’s division of the Extreme Adventure Challenge at the Life Adventure Center fundraiser on Saturday, May 16. The Forgettables finished second in their group, again defeating those “big city boys” with the Lexington Police Department . . . for the third year in a row! From left, Wade Young, VPD Chief Rob Young, Brody Young and VPD Detective Russell King. (Photo by Wade Young)

By Scott White

Woodford Sun Staff

In keeping with its mission of using outdoor adventure and programs designed to build resilience in people with a trauma background, it should not be a surprise that, instead of a big, fancy gala dinner, the Life Adventure Center’s (LAC) major fundraiser is its annual Extreme Adventure Challenge, which was held Saturday, May 16, at its 575 acres off Milner Road. The event is now in its third year.

“This is our baby. Instead of a gala, we wanted to keep adventure in our (main fundraiser’s) name,” said Julie Breitigan, LAC’s executive director. “We want to let people from all around see this amazing property we have right here in Woodford County.”

This year saw 32 teams compete in two- and four-person teams – men, women and mixed teams. This means over 100 participants competed to be the fastest to make it through 18 checkpoints, which include mountain biking, archery, canoeing and zip line. There were also five hidden toy pigs for teams to find to earn bonus points . . . up in a tree was a popular hiding spot! The pavilion parking lot, where the teams finished, was ringed with food trucks, music and a party atmosphere. Plus, the rain held off, leaving nearly perfect weather.

Breitigan said the event raised just over $35,000. These funds are particularly welcome given the new initiatives LAC has started this year.

“We are working, for example, with foster families, acknowledging that they don’t have a lot of places to go to that are supportive, kind, accessible for all ages and welcoming, and they can meet other foster families,” Breitigan said. “We are also doing more work with service families and families who have lost a loved one through substance use. We have lots of options for putting these funds to work.”

The winning teams this year were: Soma Brotherhood in the men’s four-person; 4 Sore Hips in the women’s four-person; EDEK in the four-person mixed; Hated Rivals, men’s two-person; Cantering Fools in two-person women’s; and Move Peeps in the mixed two-person.

The pride of Woodford County was carried by the four-man Forgettables team, sponsored by the Versailles Fire Department. Though they finished second in the men’s four-person race, they soundly and roundly defeated, for the third year in a row, the team from the Lexington Police Department. The Forgettables team was comprised of VPD Chief Rob Young, his two sons Wade and Brody (Woodford County High School alums), and VPD Detective Russell King.