Yesterday I witnessed Idiotarod, a full-scale shopping cart race from Dumbo to Union Square. I watched it starting from the Bowery Poetry Club checkpoint. It was cold as hell and everyone was drunk. Some people ran the whole way, some people walked it. It was truly one of the funnier things I've seen in New York recently, probably since, oh, the Condiment War, I would imagine. (Incidentally involving a lot of the same people. Big surprise.)
I've broken the pictures down into three parts: Race, Rest, Finish. A few comments on each:
RACE
As it was explained to me by one of the race officials (the guy in the furry checked pants in the pictures), the first two teams that came in to the Bowery Poetry Club checkpoint were comprised of people who actually train as runners. In fact, the first place team contained people who actually run the NYC Marathon. When the third place team pulled up, the race official turned to me and said, "No way are the Black Labels in third. They must have cheated! All they do is smoke and drink! Did you see what way they came from?"
So, there was cheating.
REST
During the required twenty minute rest stop at the Bowery Poetry Club, people kept handing out jello shots. Outside I heard someone discussing how much cash they should give one of the race officials to improve their time. "How about if we just give her four tequila jello shots?" (Ed note: Gross.) There was some major shit-talking going on, which is always the best part.
View photos of the racers at rest.
FINISH
Along the way to Union Square we saw a woman in a crazy furry pink outfit hiding behind cars and jumping out and throwing glittery paper at racers. She would also scream and hurl her body at them. She was nuts.
At Union Square the freak show climaxed with much drinking and the occasional trashing of the shopping cart. For the record, my favorite team was the preppy team because they had a complete bar setup in a suitcase, they chanted "Huzzah" as they pulled across the finish line, and all the guys were totally hot. Points also for the team that had what looked to be a ten-year old boy as a participant. This seems like something more children should be doing, sans the egregious alcohol abuse, of course.
I have no idea who won (the awards ceremony was held at the Village Idiot, natch), but in my book, of course, they are all winners. Nice work, Idiots.