Phoenix ‘Idiotarod’ creates fun for all downtown

Nadiia Petryk

“I’m an IDIOT, It’s Saturday afternoon and there is nothing else to do, but to be here with other idiots!” What else could possibly bring people and students together on Feb. 9 in downtown Phoenix?

President Bush with his Secret Service, a pimp with his “ladies”, strippers with a pole, half-naked guys in super tight bathing suits and nearly 100 other thrill-seekers in different costumes?

Apparently they were our local “idiots”, taking part in the Second Annual Phoenix Idiotarod.

F.Y.I., the Idiotarod is the same as the famous long-distance race Iditarod in Alaska, just instead of dogs there are 5 idiots, instead of a sled there is a shopping cart and it’s not in Alaska, but in downtown of one of America’s metropolises.

It is quite predictable that an exotic event like this had to be born nowhere but in wild San Francisco.

The first freaks with their shopping carts gathered there in 1994 and since then the Idiotarod disease spread to New York and Chicago and finally made its way to its fourth destination, Phoenix, last year.

Apparently last year, the Valley crowd loved it.

It won the award for “New Times- Best of Phoenix” and this year there were many more people taking part in it.

“It’s hot, it’s Phoenix, it’s a desert, we’ve got nuts in our heads!” is how Mike, a second year participant, explained his desire to race.

Even though the race is called the Idiotarod, it is not designed for complete idiots, and teams are expected to multitask.

First, racers had to be in a good shape to run a couple of miles and push a shopping cart with a person inside of it.

At the same time, they were supposed to be able to read the map and to find 5 checkpoints, which were walking on a tight rope, or having a shot of whisky while eating a gourmet pickled turnip or pickled radish.

Also, racers had to remember to sabotage other teams, by throwing water balloons, flour or melted chocolate.

Finally, the idiots were supposed to avoid traffic, use appropriate hand signals and, of course, be able to chug beers everywhere they went.

The race finished at the same point where it started, the Bikini Lounge.

The first teams to arrive were awarded by having extra time to start the celebration right there at the bar, and finally when all the participants made it to the finish, the party moved to the Cone Gallery, where a DJ and beer awaited them and the winners were announced.

Local businesses seemed to be very positive about the Idiotarod.

“We love any kind of crazy chaotic event that celebrates everyone’s diversity, uniqueness, and brings life to downtown” said Mary, the owner of the Perihelion Arts Gallery.

The event is going to happen again, so there is a year ahead to choose costumes and plan where to “borrow” the shopping cart.

Rules of the race and pictures can be seen at azidiotarod.com.

  • Mesa Legend Staff

    These are archived stories from Mesa Legend editions before Fall 2018. See article for corresponding author.

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