Competitors gathered on Manning Street last Saturday to construct wooden carts and race them down the road in teams of two.
Kyle Johns | Campus Rec

Off-campus house Egypt took gold in a chariot race on Manning Street after Student Activities Board’s Taste of Manning on Saturday. 

“The Manning Street Chariot Race was an extremely successful event where four teams spent an hour constructing wooden chariots,” Bock said. “Then, they raced the chariots down the street with a large crowd lined along each side of the road cheering them on.”

Competitors constructed chariots with materials provided by Campus Rec. The event followed the Student Activities Board Taste of Manning event. 

Senior Caleb Greene constructed the winning chariot by himself without the use of any power tools, according to Campus Rec event organizer and junior Ethan Bock.

Member of the winning team senior Luke Hollister attributed his team’s success to their name. 

“We are Egypt, so it almost goes without saying that we would win the chariot race,” Hollister said.

Campus Rec member and sophomore Sophie Schlegel said the inaugural event presented unique planning challenges.

“The planning for this event was more difficult than usual when we were considering how the logistics would work and what sort of supplies we would buy,” Schlegel said. “Ultimately, we were able to be creative about construction materials, logistics, and set up. It led to a fun and enjoyable experience.”

Students constructed their chariots with rolling platforms, wood, duct tape, and nails. Campus Rec kept the rules simple: teams building the chariot could be as large as students desired, but only one person could steer the chariot while one person rode the chariot in the race. 

Bock said the four teams faced a daunting race heading downhill.

“The race was very exciting as two chariots were exceptionally quick, one chariot almost flipped at the very start, and the final chariot broke into pieces halfway down the hill,” Bock said. “Overall, the competitors and spectators enjoyed the event, and Campus Rec plans on doing it again next year.”

Greene ran with the chariot in the race in addition to constructing it on his own by hand. 

“There are no pacts between lions and men,” Greene cheered after winning.