And, MUSH! The Urban Iditarod is Coming

Sometimes, I find myself in the awkward position of having to explain certain things to my sedate suburban mom. "Why on earth," she asks, "would you and your friends dress yourselves up like a dog team, hitch yourselves to a shopping cart and run through the streets barking?"

To which I have no answer besides the obvious one (well, obvious to me). "Because it sounds AWESOME! Duh, Mom!"

Registration is now open for Portland's 8th Annual Urban Iditarod on Saturday, March 14. Dog teams and their shopping carts will navigate the frozen wastes of Portland's urban landscape with only a few hundred or so other barking fools for company. The $50 team entry fee covers several checkpoints for liquid refreshment, as well as entry to the Apres Ski Party at the Grand Cafe. Fuzzy dog ears and gray leg warmers are not included.

More details and registration forms here. Or, check out the Urban Iditarod's MySpace.