DES MOINES, Iowa — More than 35,000 people watched from the Iowa State Capitol Complex as 50 unique soapbox carts aimed for first during the Red Bull Soapbox Race Iowa.

The race was last held in Iowa in 2022, and this year the obstacle-filled course presented an even larger challenge with a taller starting ramp meant to increase speeds, more obstacles, and intersections that tested carts’ navigation abilities.

Some of the themed carts during the race included tractors that honored the farming industry, a giant toilet paper roll, a cart that threw out wood chips, and a cart themed after the Mystery Machine from Scooby Doo.

The teams were judged based on a score of one-third speed, one-third creativity, and one-third showmanship. The race lasted more than three and a half hours and finally came to a close when the winner finished the race in under 26 seconds.

“Rolling Fish Heads” from Hillard, Ohio, took home first place after a less than 26-second finish and hitting 17 miles per hour going down the starting ramp. They won a skydiving trip with the Red Bull Air Force.

“We were hoping to place in today’s race because the team worked so hard on our cart.  Watching the girls fly down the course and sidestep every obstacle was so impressive and brave,” John Bryner and Nick Gookin of the Rolling Rish Heads told event organizers.

The Ames, Iowa, “Vi-Kings of the Hill” took home second place and won a karting trip with Red Bull athlete Andrew Carlson. While “Creed the Soapbox Halftime Show” from Des Moines took home third place and won an iFly session.

“Tenderloin to Go” from Cedar Falls/Waterloo won the People’s Choice Award and the Long-Distance Jump Award. Finally, the It’s Not Crazy, It’s Casey’s Award went to “So You’re Telling There’s a Chance” cart from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The next race will be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Utah State Capitol Grounds on June 14th.