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Photos by Cydney McFarland and Mauro Whiteman
Wearing everything from fake nun habits to body-sized beer-pong cups, more than 200 people took to the streets for a part of this year’s Idiotarod — a cross between the famed Iditarod sled-dog race and drunken revelry that lands more closely to the latter.
The 6th annual Phoenix Idiotarod, hosted by the AZ Cacophony Society, is a race held in support of Stand Up For Kids, a local program that reaches out to homeless youths.
The racers, who mushed themed shopping carts throughout downtown Phoenix, began and ended at The Firehouse Gallery north of Roosevelt Street. The race included stops at five local bars and five challenges, taking competitors from CityScape’s Lucky Strike bowling alleys to Bliss/ReBar and more.
Many racers, comprising 40 teams of five members each, toted alcoholic drinks with clever names like the “Blood of Christ” and the “Gumby Bear.” Others partook in less creative drinking, with bottles of wine and enough cans of Bud Light to satisfy even the most robust team of mushers.
At the end of the race, competitors celebrated with music and more drinking, awaiting the final announcement of the winners in a race where time was hardly a priority.
Contact the reporter at mauro.whiteman@asu.edu
