It's too late for this go-round, but maybe 2011...

As of this writing, there is just over a week left until the 2009 World Beard and Moustache Championships, to be held this year in Anchorage, Alaska.

Yes, seriously. How could you not dig something with categories like Verdi, Dali, Alaskan Whaler (new this year), and two varieties of Imperial (moustache and partial beard)? Just get a load of this excerpt from the "Wild West (moustache) page:

Germany's Günter Rosin appears nearly unstoppable in this category, which he has won three out of the last four times. He also holds countless German and European championships in the same category. Rosin's moustache is perfect. He dresses impeccably. Rumor has it he studies the stage lighting before the competition to find the perfect location to stand and smile at the judges.

But lest you think it's all happy wax and shiny trimmers, the controversy surrounding the 2003 award in the musketeer category shows that there is energetic competition and a healthy evolution taking place.

Screw horse racing. This is truly the sport of kings.