Cinciditarod participants race shopping carts around Cincinnati - WFXG FOX54 Augusta - Your News One Hour Earlier

As mushers prepare their sleds for the start of the Alaskan Iditarod, Cincinnatians prepare for their own Iditarod-inspired race.

The Cinciditarod was held Saturday afternoon at Fountain Square. Coined after the grueling 1,100 mile sled dog race, the Cincinnati version is a little less intensive.

Instead of sleds, competitors raced in hand-decorated shopping carts. Participants had to push or pull the carts for the entire race.

Teams of five raced their carts around downtown Cincinnati. Team members were required to be physically attached to the cart at all times.

Prizes were awarded for the teams with the best times, best cart, best costumes and best pre-race team performance.

The event was inspired by similar races in San Francisco, New York and Chicago.