Where do I get a cart?
How and where you get a cart is your business, but the Feral Shopping Cart Observation Society (FSC) highly recommends you give a local abandoned shopping cart the thrill of a lifetime by adopting it, prettying it up, and taking it out on the town for the day. The FSC does not condone cart theft, however should you choose to borrow a cart we probably won't spend the whole night reminding you that the definition of borrow requires intention to return.
Why would I do this?
If the idea of hurtling through the streets of downtown Ottawa with a gang of fellow lunatics sounds tempting but doesn't tickle you in the feel-goods enough for you to commit; and BBQ, prizes, and glory aren't enough for you, then maybe you want to do it for your inner humanitarian. Check out the Grocery List, where you can find info on what kinds of goods we'll be collecting for distribution to local community services organizations.
Are costumes required?
Teams are expected to wear some kind of costume / uniform, and judges will be carefully awarding points to those whose get-ups strike our fancy (before you ask, that's why we look like we're walking around checking out your … assets), and removing points from those of you who are just too cool to dip into the Tickle Trunk. Remember – your cart is a part of your team: share the lovin'.
No, failure to wear a costume will not result in sack-beatings or curb-stompings or disqualification, but it will greatly reduce your chances of winning fabulous prizes or hooking up with that really cute dude/gal over there who's dressed up like the bastard lovechild of Beaker and ‘70s-era Elton John.
The Judges can't stress enough that spandex is a statement, not a right, and we will judge whether your statement is fabulous or offensive (in the bad way). You've been warned.
Can we structurally modify our carts?
Some teams choose to mod out their carts to make them more aerodynamic, lighter-weight, or just to make them cooler looking. Whatever justification you give for channeling your inner MacGyver, keep in mind that you can't mess with the basic integrity of the cart structure – your cart still has to be a cart, and has to be people-powered (ie. no motors). The cart's base frame and wheels have to be the originals. If you take it to a questionable level, final ruling on this great philosophical debate will be made by the Judges.
You keep talking about Points and Prizes ...
Points will be awarded by the IDIOTAROD Judges (commonly known as They Who Must Be Obeyed and Propitiated) to teams for: time (awarded at checkpoints), costume awesomeness, bribes and flattery, collection of Grocery List items, and anything else we bloody well feel like. At the end of the race, the Judges will get drunk and carefully tabulate points for participating teams, announce winners, and distribute prizes. Prizes will also be awarded at the discretion of the Judges for categories which may or may not be invented on the spot (to get an idea of possible categories, you can check out samples of what has inspired past Judges here). Prizes include free admission to the Hoedown for the three (3) top-scoring teams, and swag being (oh-so-graciously) donated by local merchants.
Is there a minimum age for participation?
We don't want to keep anyone from getting their idiot on, but we also, as organizers, don't want to be in the position of having to take responsibility for minors should they get hurt or do something very socially unacceptable, so we're limiting participation to those 18 years old and older. We're running it on the honour system, though, since we can't be bothered to check identification. That said, the folks at The Elmdale Tavern can and will, and you have to be 19+ to rock out there, so...Scheming on a thing …
Sabotage is acceptable and has indeed, as some of you may know, in the past been rewarded. BUT common decency and common sense still reigns supreme. Misleading others with false directions, for example, is cool, as is distracting competitors via surprise flashings. Shock tactics, like sleeping with a rival team member's spouse and then telling them on race day to throw their game, is morally questionable but not grounds for disqualification. Causing physical injury to rival teams will result in disqualification and public shaming.
Is the Ottawa IDIOTAROD weather-dependent?
No, you weenie, we're Canadians. Which means that come rain or hail or sleet or plague of locusts, we will be out there in our giant cloth diapers, feathered top-hats, and Garry Shider wigs, getting' our cart on.
Have a burning question that wasn't addressed above? Drop us a line, and we'll do our best not to laugh at you.
