Kinetic Baltimore

We could not have asked for a nicer day, this past Saturday, for the running of the 8th annual, 15-mile Kinetic Sculpture Race, sponsored by the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. Other than my sinuses being runnier than an expired tub of Ricotta cheese (I love global warming) and a camera malfunction, it was a perfect day.

This year's race had 30 entrants, some returning seasoned veterans like sculptor David Hess and his Team Platypus, last year's East Coast Mediocre Champion, the most coveted prize of the day, Fifi the coifed pink poodle, Bumpo the elephant, and Frog.

After the traditional blessing of the feet, the race departed from AVAM on time, with police motorcycle escort (thank you, BCPD) and a rousing send-off from the lovely Milkmaids, shown here with museum founder Rebecca Hoffberger. (Ed. note: Two of the maidens had distinct Adam’s apples.) Midway through a gymnastic routine, I noticed another glaring attribute, no less lovely, however.

The biggest challenge of the day was the water loop. The wind gusts were so strong at times, everyone had some difficulty making the loop; however, several racers could not complete this part of the race. Bumpo the elephant was literally blown away but later rescued in time to face the sand trap and nefarious mud pit at Patterson Park.

This year’s coveted Mediocre Award went to Hunk-A-Hunk-A Burnin Love and its two Elvis impersonator pilots. For more coverage of the race, visit Tom Jones at Kinetic Baltimore. Tom has covered this race from the beginning and is the authority. Also, the Baltimore Sun, and if you're traveling to Lebanon, a Lebanese TV crew was on hand yesterday. My photos are posted on Flickr. Please excuse the quality. Someone spilled a drink on my camera recently and my settings are not working properly: to the shop with you!