Madison Fathers Take Chariot Race Title

The Red Bull Chariot Race in Madison concluded with a win for a group of local residents rather than the university students who typically dominate the field. On October 17, a team of four men named Fast and Fatherly crossed the finish line first on Langdon Street, securing the event's primary reward.

The competition began with 24 teams, which were paired into 12 head-to-head matchups. The race started outside Memorial Union and required competitors to complete a Red Bull Puzzle at the Lake Street turnaround before switching positions for the return leg. Judging criteria included the physical construction of the vehicles, the creativity of the design, and a pre-race skit. Each team received $200 in funding from Red Bull to cover initial building costs.

Fast and Fatherly consisted of three new fathers and one man who described himself as a soon-to-be dad. The group met through a church organization and none of the members were current students. Their vehicle was constructed to resemble a baby crib and decorated with toys. Sam Peterson, a team member who raced wearing a baby carrier with a doll, noted that the event proved more difficult than anticipated. His teammate Micah Palmer, who dressed as a baby, expressed hope that their children would learn from the experience. The fathers stated they intend to use their prize money for a family vacation.

The team collected $1,500 and 60 cases of Red Bull. The second-place finish went to a group called The Eagle Has Landed, which performed a patriotic skit featuring a choreographed lift. Joe Jaroski, a senior on the Wisconsin cheer team, spent hours preparing the lift with Erin Kelly. The group Grouchiator Maximus took third place, finishing ahead of Minion Mayos, who had roughly 30 supporters dressed in yellow costumes watching from the sidelines. The runners-up also received invitations to unique Red Bull-sponsored events.

Aaron Colton, a professional motorcycle stunt performer and Red Bull athlete, served as one of three judges. He stated that creativity accounted for more than half of the final score and identified the puzzle as a great equalizer for teams with varying preparation time. The other judges were Kayla Ruedebusch, a foil athlete and content creator, and Jay Wanserski, a bar owner. Ruedebusch noted that the creative elements distinguished this race from others.

The event marked the fifth stop on a nine-city Red Bull tour. Jada Cerniglia, a former UW-Madison volleyball player, and Milwaukee comedian Tommy Violet hosted the event for the first time. Colton had previously judged the race in two other locations. The crowd included prospective students, local residents, and family members of the competitors.