Utah's first Urban Iditarod mimics events held this weekend in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago, where ridiculously costumed humans run their tails off along four miles of asphalt trails. The multicity event coincides with the Alaskan race, which officially begins today in Willow.

"The Portland Iditarod is crazy and lots of fun so we thought it might work in Salt Lake City, too. And if we don't get into trouble, I'll give you my last name when we have another race next year," said Laurie, who organized the Salt Lake event.

Laurie, who moved to Salt Lake Valley to ski, sent out a few fliers and e-mailed acquaintances to help celebrate the Iditarod, where more than 60 dog sled teams race across 1,000 miles of frozen tundra.

For the inaugural Salt Lake City event, six teams showed up at Trolley Square then moved on to Bar Deluxe, Duffy's Tavern, Port O'Call, Lumpy's and Bar-X-Inn.

The final call was at Desert Edge Brewery, where about 30 rowdy participants were awarded dog biscuits and chew sticks.

A few motorists honked and waved as teams and shopping carts clattered along to the next tavern, but most drivers just gawked.

One group dressed up in sheets - yes, bedsheets - with accompanying monikers Holy Sheet, Knee-Deep-in-Sheet and Hot Sheet.

"Our team doesn't have a name," said Nathan Woods, aka Dirty-Piece-of-Sheet. "Maybe you could call us Piles of Sheet."

Team Utah! showed up in tight-fitting basketball uniforms and big-hair wigs, which members explained made them 1970s style players.

"Is that what we are?" asked Ken Moore, who was recruited while visiting from Washington.

Said Erick Nielsen while resting on a bar stool at Duffy's: "There's enough crazy people in Salt Lake that there'll be a bigger turnout next year."