What is the Chiditarod?

Learn all about it in the FAQ.

-= New For 2012 =-

• All about Carts
• Art Carts are back
• Food requirement - 49 lbs per team to be dropped off at the Starting Line
• Cart Deposit Vixens - $77

Who can race?

Anyone can race and everyone should race, as long as you are at least 21 years old.  You can forward this web site 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 as long as there's still spots 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?

We are officially open for registration once we announce via our google list, from there 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.  Registration is limited to 150 teams and closes on February 18.  There will be NO race-day registration.

What's the route?

That's up to you.  The race will begin at 12:00 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 marshals 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).

What's a Bike Marshal?

The duty of the elite squadron of mobile bike marshals is to keep racers safe from each other, and from themselves. They also rule. They brave the cold and watch over you along the route. They're there to help, keep people safe, judge the coveted "Bike Marshal's Choice awards", and ensure that there aren't any egregious violations of the rules. We're all about competitive spirit, but if we catch you loading your cart in the back of a pickup or taking off on a bike, don't be surprised if you find yourself going home Disqualified. When encountered, follow their directions, and take another look at the rules to save yourself some potential embarrassment:

• Rules
• Sabotage Guidelines

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 - 49 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 team must show up with 49 pounds of food or more! *new this year* we are highly encouraging your team to deposit food at our official food drop-off at the starting line. You can also acquire 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.  We will also be collecting food at the finish line for any food collected during the race, or for people who don't know how to read the signs at the starting 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 occurred 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 to bring 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 at least 4 normal cart-sized 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 possibly 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.

Cart Deposits

There is a $77 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.  At the finish line you will recieve a cartvixen card, with directions.  If not, then send your proof to cartvixen@chiditarod.org.  We're tired of this shit, aren't you?  PLEASE take your cart home with you.  Because Coreganizers have lots to do post-race, the cart refunds may take up to 2 weeks to process (more carts left behind = more delays in refunds).  Please be assured that all refunds will happen if you send us the evidence we asked for.  Any leftover cart deposit monies will be donated to the charity after covering race costs.  We love volunteers who help clean up post-race, if you are interested. 

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, and even still some in 2010 and 2011 that did NOT take care of their carts.

-= ART CARTS =-

2010 introduced 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.