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Photos: Holly Bennett
Hundreds of hard bodies–including several pro triathletes and a certain Olympian/Ironman-in-training–took to the Boulder streets in droves on Thursday night, strutting their stuff at the first annual Boulder Underpants Run. Organizer and race day emcee Michael Lovato had this to say about the impetus for gathering a sweaty, skivvy-clad crowd together in light-hearted mockery of the triathlete’s tendency to underdress in public:
“I have been a part of the original Kona Underpants Run for many years, and I felt like Boulder was just the town for an event like that. With a new Ironman in town [Ironman Boulder is slated for Sunday], we felt it was a good opportunity to establish two great traditions: racing 140.6 and running 1.9 in your skivvies. Both are important goals, both with different reasons for taking part. We hope folks can blow off some steam, have some fun, and raise money for a good cause.”
The event, which started and finished in front of Boulder Running Company, raised funds via means of a suggested 10-dollar donation per athlete. The money will go toward two local organizations, Valmont.25, an initiative to develop a dedicated public use athletic track in Boulder and Boulder’s EXPAND program for people with disabilities.