Published November 10, 2014 09:11AM
Ironman Arizona Underpants Run Set For Thursday
Triathletes, fans, and Tempe residents will take to the Ironman Arizona course days before the race—sans pants.
The original Underpants Run takes place in Kona before the Ironman World Championship each year. Photo: John David Becker
Proceeds will benefit Tempe charities.
Triathletes, fans, and Tempe residents will take to the Ironman Arizona course days before the race—sans pants.
The Tempe Underpants Run will take place at 6 p.m.. on Thursday, Nov. 13 underneath the Mill Avenue Bridge on the north shore of Tempe Town Lake. The 10-dollar entry fee for the two-mile fun run, modeled after the famed Kona Underpants Run, will raise money for two local charities, Best Buddies Arizona and the Carlos Nunez Scholarship Fund.
The Carlos Nunez Scholarship Fund was established in 2005 by Dr. Carlos Nunez, an engineering professor at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Ariz. While tying initial fundraising efforts to his first race at Ironman Arizona, Nunez raised $21,500 for student scholarships in just four weeks. Over the years, he has completed a total of 13 Ironman triathlons, each one to raise awareness and funds for student scholarships. As Nunez battles end-stage cancer, friends and family are continuing his tradition of generosity. Proceeds from the Ironman Arizona Underpants Run and Slowtwitch Party will help provide grants and scholarships for higher education through the Nunez Fund.
Best Buddies Arizona is a volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Proceeds from the Tempe Underpants Run will help the organization buy specialized race wheelchairs for local athletes with disabilities to participate in running and triathlon events.
For more information about the Tempe Underpants Run, visit the event page on Facebook or call event organizers Tribe Multisport at 480-421-9442.