Like many children, Anna Villanyi enjoyed racing grocery carts through store aisles. At age 12, their grandfather gave them a cart of their own. Years later, that same cart is being put to use as Villanyi joins the CHIditarod, an annual shopping cart race in Chicago aimed at fighting food insecurity.
“It feels really special and powerful. It’s weird, full-circle stuff,” Villanyi said. “My child self would be very proud of where I am.”
Villanyi will compete alongside teammates Jenny Domine, Kim Kochevar, Caroline Byrne and Ronan Rock. Teams are given maps with routes through Ukrainian Village and West Town that include stops at local bars. The event encourages participants to wear costumes and decorate their carts while raising money and collecting donations for food pantries.
CHIditarod spokesperson Alysha Balog described the event as “fighting hunger in the silliest way possible.” She explained that teams are expected to “dress up, cause chaos, do good” by fundraising and donating food and toiletries during the race.
“The race is just magic,” said Domine. “It ticks all the boxes for creative people who want to do good things in the world.”
According to organizers, this year’s CHIditarod will have its largest turnout since before the COVID-19 pandemic with 71 teams competing. Each team must donate at least 69 pounds of food or pay an equivalent amount to participate. Leading up to the event, many teams also engage in fundraising efforts; proceeds go toward grants for organizations addressing food insecurity in northern Illinois.
The CHIditarod was inspired by both Alaska’s Iditarod sled dog race and New York City’s Idiotarod shopping cart race. Co-founder Devin Breen launched Chicago’s version in 2006 with help from other organizers. Since then, CHIditarod has granted $707,350 and donated over 303,000 pounds of food to local nonprofits.
“To be able to come through for the people who need it most in the moment they need it most with something that we collectively all built together … that feels amazing,” Breen said.
Teams often create elaborate themes for their carts—past examples include a 20-foot-long hot dog cart and a double-decker design made from paddle boats.
“It’s like a playground where you get to interact with these art pieces that are games and weird caricatures,” Balog said.
This year, Villanyi’s team is building a bee-themed cart topped with a working pinball machine. They plan on dressing as different types of bees on race day.
Villanyi noted there is “powerful synergy between bees as a theme and food security,” referencing pollinators’ role in global crop production. The team hopes their knowledge impresses judges awarding prizes such as “Best in Show” or “Rookie of the Year”—honors they have received previously.
Competition rules allow teams to bribe judges or sabotage rivals—as long as no one is endangered or forced out of competition—which Breen called “the Chicago way.” Sabotage methods can include fake checkpoints but cannot involve locked devices or property damage.
“I am a really firm believer in maintaining a spirit of mischief in the event and having it still feel somewhat edgy,” Breen said.
While her team prepares strategies for bribery and sabotage this year, Domine emphasized camaraderie over victory: “I love these people… The creative process is so fun.”
Domine added she looks forward to seeing how others react: “I hope people really have fun… I want people to be really surprised and delighted.”
