Bigger cities have long boasted Idiotarods, and we’d watched enviously. Asheville got its first taste of the shopping-cart race last November. The frigid, rainy weather didn’t keep hundreds of people from racing their shopping carts, wearing their elaborate costumes, participating in much sabotage (an Idiotarod tradition) and completing the community-service projects that are part of the event.
Sunday marks the race’s second installment. An excerpt from the event Web site:
“The Spring Idiotarod will begin and end at The Wedge Brewery and along the way you will be subjected to water guns, shaving cream, tons of other things you can’t even fathom right now and of course ‘The Circle of Doom!!’ I just made that up, but as of now it will forever be in the event and officially be called ‘The Circle of Dooooooom!!’ (with an emphasis on the word ‘Doooooooom’) which will require you to maneuver your cart through several obstacles including ‘The Waterless Human Cart Washer (of Dooooooom),’ which I also just made up. Essentially humans with noodles who have ingested about twice the amount of caffeine permissible by law. Giddy Up. The after Party is at the Asheville Brew Company on Coxe Ave. immediately following the event with awards presentations, PhDJ, Beer, Pizza and other things we can’t even imagine. Giddy Up again.”
It’s not too late to get a team together, say the organizers. And all the mayhem is for several good causes. Along with the costumed race, participants complete a series of challenges, such as planting trees for Asheville Greenworks and finishing a task at a community garden for Green Opportunities. Starting order is determined by how many canned goods a team brings in for MANNA FoodBank.
Here are some fun photos by Jonathan Welch of last year’s race.
Here’s a sweet video from Pattiy Torno of the hijinx:
.
This totally seems like the most fun you can possibly have. All of earth’s citizens would benefit from semi-regulated competitions involving much tomfoolery.