Sep 12, 2019

Get Out and Strut Your Stuff

What started out in 1998 in Kona, Hawaii as a protest against wearing Speedos in inappropriate places (stores, restaurants, etc.) has morphed into a popular fund raising event across the country.

From Florida to New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago and even along the Danube in Serbia, brave souls are dropping their drawers and stepping out in just their underwear, raising money for a variety of causes.

What a great way to show off the cool undies you bought recently!

The Cupid Undie Runs are probably the best known, besides the highly raucous and rowdy runs on campus’s around the country, and are usually in February (get it? Cupid, hearts, February?) The runs benefit Cupid’s Charity, which is on a mission to find a cure for neurofibromatosis (NF), a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and affects 1 in every 3,000 births.

Movember, which started in 2003 in Australia after group of lads challenged each other to grow a moustache for November, may have had a frivolous start but has grown into a worldwide movement highlighting men’s health. According to Movember’s official site, “Movember (a portmanteau of the Australian-English diminutive word for moustache, "mo", and "November"), is an annual event involving the growing of moustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues. It is best known for its campaign on prostate cancer, but has expanded its work to include testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention.

Last year, the group hosted an Undie Run in Vancouver, Canada. As yet, there don’t appear to be any planned for the US, but what a great opportunity to get involved and start an event locally.

Smaller events are popping up around the country, like the one in Des Moines, IA to benefit the Children’s Cancer Connection

And some runs are protests! It is reported that the Guinness Book of World Records considers the Undie Run that took place on September 24, 2011, in Salt Lake City, Utah, to have had a record number of participants. There were 2,270 participants in that Undie Run, which was held to protest Utah's conservative laws.

Obviously, there have to be rules for an event like this, so here they are! But mostly it’s common sense.

Wear comfortable walking/running undies! No thongs or g-strings! Remember, there’ll be under PG-13-rated observers along the route!
Pick undies that won't chafe those tender bits.
Have a safe place to leave your outerwear – maybe a chicken friend who doesn’t want to bare it (almost) all!
Try to plan where you’ll keep your ID/phone/etc. while you’re out running the streets. A baggie into your undies? Gross, but it works. Stuffing into your socks? That works. Fanny packs are always hilarious, too.
Do NOT be naked. All those bits and bobs need control and support.
Follow the safe route set up by the organizers.
Before and after the run, enjoy the party that usually happens.
Watch out for your fellow Undie Runners.

Of course, you can always organize your own Undie Run. Pick your favorite charity and ask for their packet that gives instructions on throwing a fund raiser.

Here are some suggestions about what to wear for your Undie Run