Chiditarod 2010 Wrap Up
By Amy Perry in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 9, 2010 7:00PM
Warm and sunny weather graced the fifth annual Chiditarod shopping-cart race, as over a hundred teams competed in what may be “the world’s largest mobile food drive” this past Saturday on the Near West Side. Chiditarod mimics the famous Alaskan Iditarod except the dogs are replaced by people in wacky costumes and the sleds are shopping carts. It is a one-of-kind event, incorporating a food drive, with a costume/talent contest, pub crawl and 5-mile race. Traffic was blocked for the starting point but after that racers had to use the sidewalks or alleys and adhere to all traffic lights. Many people were caught off-guard when they saw the teams race down the sidewalk in colorful, crazy outfits and pimped out shopping carts. One startled woman shrieked, “What on earth is going on?” while a young toddler kept asking her Dad if it was Halloween. The race began at Hubbard and Wolcott and included six check points at local bars in the area. Talent contests included karaoke, haiku, pole dancing and a cheer-off. Each team was required to cross the finish line with 40 pounds of food or more. Proceeds benefited the Chicago Anti-Hunger Federation. The prize list, race results and donation totals have not officially been announced yet but we did track down a few winners:
- 1st place by time: Area 3 All-Stars:
- Best in Show: Mt. Attack Kill
- Spirit of Chiditarod: Action Squad
- Best Sabotage: CJ Ownz
- Best in Pole Dance: Goonies
Check out video of the start after the jump.