The Amazing Swipe

Dude! They stole our idea!

OK, so we were inspired ourselves by the cheesy early 80s movie "Midnight Madness," as well as Franklin Avenue's Patron Reality Show, CBS' "The Amazing Race."

But methinks the folks behind something held last weekend called "Race/LA" may have gotten a few ideas from Mike's Birthday Race 2003 and Mike & Maria's Halloween Housewarming Race 2004.

The L.A. Times' Calendar section has a rather lengthy write up about the rival Los Angeles-centric race, which was held last weekend.

Dreamed up by "42-year-old graphic designer John Hennessy," the race hit several spots we covered last year in Mike's Birthday Race: The La Brea Tar Pits. Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

And holy crap. This race sent their teams to ride the Travel Town train in Griffith Park.

Not only did we kick off our 2003 competition there, but it was highlighted -- complete with photos -- in the November 2003 Los Angeles magazine article about Mike's Birthday Race!

In other words, mealsothinks the Race/LA peeps stumbled upon that story last year.

Meanwhile, the similarities continued this year. We forced teams to down an entire Spam Musubi at the Grand Central Market. They had teams pick up chilies at the market.

Their race hit 17 stops -- just like our two races. But theirs only took teams 35 miles around L.A. Our race, in comparison, this year spanned all the way out to San Pedro, with racers clocking at least 77 miles. Oh, it's ON, baby!

Even the prizes were similar: Last time out we gave out Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gift cards, among other prizes; this year, Borders' gift certificates were included. What did "Race/LA" give out? "Credits at Borders and Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf."

Am I jealous of the LATimes coverage?

OK, you got me. Although, like I mentioned, Los Angeles magazine did a nice profile of last year's race.

If it's any consolation, the Birthday and Halloween/Housewarming Races got the support of "The Amazing Race" itself, and "TAR5" winners Chip and Kim McAllister even made an appearance at our after party. (Host Phil Keoghan made it to our 2003 race.)

Whatchoo got, Race/LA? Hmm? (Although, I gotta give them credit -- they charged their participants. I guess we're either more altruistic, just stupid!)

Check out full coverage of Mike & Maria's Halloween Housewarming Race here, including the latest photos.

And yes, in case you were wondering, the original Mike & Maria race returns for a third edition next year! (Hey, that's what babysitters are for!)