The Chiditarod is Chicago's very own most important shopping cart race in the universe. The Iditarod is the famous long-distance race in which yelping dogs tow a sled across Alaska. Chiditarod is pretty much the same thing, except that instead of dogs, it's people; instead of sleds, it's shopping carts; and instead of Alaska, it's Chicago. Chiditarod is a one-of-a-kind event dedicated to self-expression, reclaiming our city for freaks of all varieties, food-raising for our city's disadvantaged, and creating copious amounts of epic.

-= New For 2010 =-

• New team category - Art Carts
• Food requirement - 40 lbs per team
• Cart deposit - $50

Who can race?

Anyone can race and everyone should race, as long as you are at least 21 years old.  You can forward this invitation to anyone you know.

Isn't it going to be cold?

Absolutely. The race goes off rain or shine, blizzard, breeze or tornado. What does this mean? Well, if there is a foot of snow on the ground, be prepared. In 2006 it was 50 degrees and sunny.  In 2007 and 2008 it was snowing.  In 2009 it was 39 degrees and raining.  In any case, bundle up.

What is this going to cost me?

Dignity. Plus an entry fee.  In order to alleviate race-day registration stress, and provide for BIGGER CASH PRIZES, we have a tiered registration:

Registration Period	Cost per team	Payment method
Through February 15	$30	Paypal
Through March 5	$40	Paypal
March 6 (Race Day)	$50	Cash, if registration is open

One of the best things about the Chiditarod is that there are tons of ways to participate and win. See our prizes page for the latest information on how you too can be a winner with the Chiditarod. Cash? We'll spread it around. Promise.
 

How do I register?

If we are accepting registrations, you may register on the Registration page.  Please follow all instructions carefully.  Don't jeopardize your chances of racing because you didn't read all of the instructions.

What's the route?

That's up to you.  The race will begin at 12:30 pm SHARP. You choose the fastest path between the start, each of the checkpoints, and the finish. Your team will stay at each checkpoint for 20 minutes before continuing on your journey.

General Team Rules

• Teams have 5 people.  No more, no less. The carts must be pulled doggy-sled style. That means that each team must have four people in front with ropes pulling the cart (the dawgs), and one person running behind the cart steering (the musher). This configuration represents the theoretically ideal power-to-steerage ratio of 4:1, and must be observed at all times. 
• Dawgs and mushers are free to trade off at the checkpoints. All team members must finish together - no stray dogs! (Of course dogs and musher may run free while they're being watered at the checkpoints.) There will be marshalls along the route to ensure proper form, function, and of course, safety...
• No facemasks at the starting line, checkpoints, or finish line.
• No assisted movement other than your own feet (sorry roller derby girls - we still love you).

Can we try to prevent other teams from winning? i.e. sabotage?

Maybe.  You MUST READ the Sabotage Guidelines for the full schtick.

The Chiditarod is a food drive - 40 pounds per cart!

In addition to being an outstandingly fun time, and to give back to the community, the Chiditarod is also a food drive. Your cart has to cross the finish line with 40 pounds of food or more! You can hide food along the way, have your friends meet you with it, or have it stuffed in your pocket when the gun goes off - it's up to you.  Just don't forget your groceries at the finish line. Remember - Chiditarod is a charity event, and there are substantial prizes for the teams that collect the most food.  And please - high-protein non-perishable foods are highly preferred.

Can we use public transportation?

No.

Can we use private transportation?

No. This occured in 2007 by the Bunnies (there are hilarious photos). Be assured that this will result in immediate disqualification and public flogging. 

Can I bring my real dogs?

No...please, no.

Should I obey city traffic laws?

You should obey all applicable traffic and civil laws. Unless, of course, you want to become one with your cart and/or the concrete and/or the back seat of a police van, we highly recommend obeying all traffic laws. Good luck!

Who has the final say?

The judges. The judges have final say over all prizes and winners. This is complete and final.  Judges have sole discretion over all points awarded or deducted, prizes awarded, which prizes are being awarded, race rules, all laws of physics, what time it is, and what happened in the past, all of which are subject to change without notice.

CARTS

Does my team need its own shopping cart?

Yes.

Where do we get a cart?

There are many places where one can acquire the standard grocery-size shopping cart that you will need to participate. Ask your local supermarket if they will lend you a cart for the "charity race of the century." They will be glad to participate in this unique event. Give it back to them as a work of art after the race.  You may also purchase a cart.  Try searching on google, or barter with a bum.

Can we decorate or modify our shopping cart?

Yes, of course! However, there are rules -- kind of like stock car racing.

• Design your cart with full regard to both safety and all relevant civil, criminal, and physical laws.
• Your shopping cart must roll on four rubber caster wheels.
• The only exception is that you can attach some sort of sled substructure to the bottom of the cart in case of deep snow or treacherous ice.
• As a general rule, you can attach things to your cart, make a riding platform, and grease up your wheels.
• You can also chop up the cart and rearrange the pieces -- but they all have to be attached somewhere else on the cart. All original pieces must be accounted for.
• Your shopping cart cannot be motorized, nor can you use any type of bike/pedal structure for propulsion.
• You must use a normal-sized cart, i.e. not one of those baby carts from Whole Foods.
• All four "dogs" must pull the cart with ropes of some sort.
• If you don't like the idea of being tied to a moving shopping cart, handling the ropes is fine and possibily even recommended.
• Your cart should be able to fit (with whatever effort necessary) through a regular front-door-sized opening. If it's wide, maybe use hinges?
• Helmets may be a good idea for some. Actually - WE RECOMMEND HELMETS!
• You and your cart should be prepared for hostile weather, including snow, freezing rain, and pedestrians.

Q: What do I do with my cart after the race?

Pack it in, pack it out. Your cart is your responsiblity. The New York organizers faced a $5,000 fine in 2006 due to race entrants not accounting for their carts. So please, be respectful and LEAVE NO TRACE. Take the cart back to a supermarket.  Donate it to a bum.  Someone.  Anyone.  Just don't abandon it. There were teams in both 2007, 2008 and LOTS in 2009 that did NOT take care of their carts. This year there is a $50 cart insurance deposit, which you pay via paypal on the Store Page during your registration.  You must  prove without a doubt that you took your cart home with you after the race.  This means photographic evidence of your cart, at home, at the minimum.  Send your proof to chiditarod@gmail.com.  We really don't like doing this, but the mess in 2009 was simply terrible.  PLEASE take your cart home with you.  Because Coreganizers have lots to do post-race, the cart refunds may take up to a week to process.  Please be assured that all refunds will happen if you send us that evidence.  Any leftover cart deposit monies will be donated to the charity after covering race costs.  We can use volunteers to help clean up post race if you are interested.

-= ART CARTS =-

2010 introduces a new team category - Art Carts.  Racing as an "Art Cart" is a more "free form" category for those teams wanting to stretch their creative muscles outside the parameters of racing.  Some examples would be really big wheels, grill/food carts that don't want to run everywhere, a multi-franken-cart mechanical extravaganza, etc.  Here are the differences.

Cart Construction exceptions/additions:

 

• Doesn't have to fit through a standard-size door frame.
• Can use non-standard wheels.
• Different sized carts can be used.
• Needs to fit onto a sidewalk (this is a pedestrian race).
• Can have mechanical aspects, but can not have mechanical propulsion.

 

Okay, so we should decorate the cart. Should we also wear costumes?

Absolutely. Definitely.  Creativity is a huge part of this event. Wild costumes and insane themes are wholly encouraged. The first rule of Chiditarod is... fun is mandatory.  95% of all teams have costumed themes.  It's epic.  Pure street theater. 

 

Our friends in D.C. show what NOT to do.