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2012 Idiotarod: Has The City Run Out Of Idiots?
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 29, 2012
Modified Jan 29, 2012
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By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jan 29, 2012
Modified Jan 29, 2012
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Traditionally we reserve a space in our dark hearts for the Idiotarod. But after seeing these photos and hearing our intrepid photographer deem this year's event the "worst Idiotarod ever," we're wondering if it's time for the Idiotarod to stare at the sunset and think of the rabbits.
Things were problematic from the start: only 12 teams showed up for the 9th Idiotarod, and the contestant had a long, "terrible," "wack ass" route to contend with.
The starting point was Joseph Mafera Park at the terminal end of the M train in Ridgewood, and the race began an hour and a half when after the organizers "finally realized no one else was coming." After meeting at Yer Man's Bar for drinks and activities, the high water mark seemed to consist of the $10 sushi and drink special at Momo in Bushwick. After that, according to Sam, it was all downhill:
By this point it was 3:30 / 4ish and there were 3 more stops before the McCarren Park finish line. The teams were told that the next check point was a bus stop 2+ miles away in Queens. Crossed the grand street bridge and headed towards a Western Beef—this was were it got silly and the judges started telling people to skip middle check points and head towards Union Pool (stop 5)
We drove over to check point 4, a loading dock in some industrial wasteland, where a few teams were gamely playing along—but most were just sad—I watched as two teams called taxis and two other teams went to get their truck to pack up the carts.
We've reached out to the year's organizers, The McGeddon Clan, for their take and our email bounced back. Earlier in the month we'd be warned by the McGeddons that "saboteurs" had vied to co-opt or destroy the race, and it seems they somewhat succeeded.
Should the Idiotarod be cast into the lot of No-Pants tedium and SantaCon assholery? Or will the 10th annual Idiotarod redeem the franchise?
Tagged
brooklyn
idiotarod
idiots
mayhem
races
sam horine
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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