Welcome to Chiditagate 2008. The scandal of the century.

Congratulations, Chiditaroders!

Our hats go off to the 83 teams of the 2008 Chiditarod!

We were blown away by the sheer numbers of participants this year, but even more by the creative spirit, athletic prowess, and delightfully bad behavior that you all brought to the streets of our fair city. Even as the weather turned from mild and sunny to sub-freezing in true Chicago style, almost 400 of you muscled through five checkpoints, three talent contests, and over four miles of asphalt tundra to celebrate with us at the finish line. We know that some of you endured duct-taped wheels, chafing spandex, Criscoed handles, and even had cinderblocks chained to your sleds. But despite these hardships, you mushed on, knowing that there was glory waiting for you at that last watering hole - and failing that, an adorable robot that you could pummel incessantly with snowballs.

For those of you who won prizes, we offer our heartiest of congratulations! For those of you who didn't, we remind you once again that it is the journey, not the destination that matters...and also that the Chiditarod's judges are distinguished not so much by their excellent taste as by their ability to hold onto a clipboard while inebriated.

If you were new to the race, you may have been surprised at the presence of covert ops, greasy palms, overt sabotage, and general sneakiness in this year's event. We try to place limits on this kind of illicit activity, but...this is Chicago after all. One team took these hijinks to a whole new level, precipitating a heated controversy that we are calling Chiditagate 2008.

Food Drive

The number of teams doubled again this year, but the amount of food gathered per team grew as well. There was so much we lacked the logistical capacity to weigh it all. We dispatched four vehicles - a 15 foot cargo van, an SUV, a station wagon, and a pickup truck - full to overflowing. We think it topped two metric tons. The food was donated to Onward Neighborhood House in the Ukrainian Village and through Burners without Borders to King of Glory church on Chicago's south side. Another glorious success!

We Want Your Feedback

Please participate in our post-race survey, which will be sent out to all racers in the next week. Choose your favorite teams in our new people's choice contest, and tell us what you liked about the race and what you think we should work on for next year.

The Flickrsphere and Blogosphere is oozing with videos and photos from the 2008 Chiditarod. We want to ensure that all have a spot at the Chiditarod media table. So, post a comment and share your site, fools!

Video

Real Actual Journalism

Windy Citizen (previously called Methods Reporter) (10 Flash videos)

All right, Chiditaroders, ye few and mighty. The results of the 2008 Chiditarod will be posted here soon!

Out of respect for the event and the bars that host us, and in the spirit of community, almost every team took the time and energy to haul their cart away at the end of the day. For this we thank you!

It's been the coldest and darkest three months in recent memory. We Chicagoans have become accustomed to a daily routine of dimly-lit mornings, layered clothes, glazed windshields, icy sidewalks, salted streets, and the bite of the arctic wind at our cheeks. We've grown accustomed to life under a frigid blanket of white and mottled gray.

We bring you the official 2008 route map. Note that you will also be receiving one of these when you register. Scroll down to see the checkpoint addresses.

WARNING - Beware of cheap imitations.

Starting Point

Corner of Shakespeare and Damen

Checkpoint 1 - Club Lucky

1824 W. Wabansia Ave.
(773) 227-2300

Checkpoint 2 - Pontiac Café

1531 N. Damen Ave.
(773) 252-7767

Checkpoint 3 - Phyllis' Musical Inn

1800 W. Division St.
(773) 486-9862

Checkpoint 4 - Choose 1 of either:

4a - Chipp Inn
832 N. Greenview Ave.
(312) 421-9052

- or -

4b - Five Star Bar
1424 W. Chicago Ave.
(312) 850-2555

Checkpoint 5 - The Twisted Spoke

501 N. Ogden Ave.
(312) 666-1500

Finish Line - Cobra Lounge

235 N. Ashland Ave.
(312) 226-6300

The Third Annual Chiditarod

The most epicly awesome shopping cart race in Chicago, period.

March 1st, 2008

www.chiditarod.org

LEAVE NO TRACE.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Distribute far and wide. The THIRD Annual Chiditarod draws near.

Chiditarod 2008 looking for that special artistic someone to help design my T-shirt, patch, and flyers.

The Chiditarod Urban Iditarod

Returning for a glorious THIRD year as the most absurdly amazing shopping cart race in Chicago!

Saturday, March 1, 2008

Register now.

New website. Comments welcome.