Hermit Crab Race

Hermit crabs dressed as Greek gods, World Cup players and newlyweds were the stars of Virginia’s ninth annual Mid-Atlantic Hermit Crab Challenge in Virginia Beach. Organizers of the event, which featured several races followed by the Miss Curvaceous Crustacean Beauty Pageant, said 182 hermit crabs in costumes and decorated shells participated Saturday. Ernest Mihalopoulos of Pittsburgh had the top crab, named Dr. Zeus. Sarah Katz, 10, of Rockville, Virginia, won the beauty contest with a hermit crab disguised as a blue-shelled chef at a Crab Cakes restaurant.