The concept for the race began in 1969 when Ferndale artist Hobart Brown decided to make his son's tricycle into a mobile sculpture.

This led to a bet over who could build the best (or weirdest) human powered sculpture. Five contestents battled for the glory with Bob Brown, a Eureka metal sculptor, winning the race in his ten-foot turtle.

Now, the Race runs from Arcata to Ferndale over the three days of Memorial Day weekend each year. The route is roughly 38 miles of road, water, sand and mud!

Over the years the Race has drawn national and international attention, brought thousand of visitors and participants to the region and has been estimated to bring in over 2 million dollars of revenue to Humboldt County annually.

Run entirely on donated effort, this year's race will call on over 100 volunteers to organize and run the race.

The cost of the event is born by donations, sponsors and advertising.