posted by Chris Barber
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The Santa Speedo Run is not exactly serious running, but it was a seriously fun event!  The 1st Annual Atlanta Santa Speedo Run was held this past weekend in the Atlanta neighborhood of Virginia Highland.  The Santa Speedo Run is a one mile run where participants are asked to wear a speedo plus some sort of holiday flair.  Thankfully, runners are also asked to not wear thongs.  The Santa Speedo Run began in Boston in 2000 and has been run for the past 10 years raising money for different charities in the Boston area.  The Santa Speedo Run expanded to Atlanta for the first time this year.  Over the years in Boston, the Santa Speedo Run has attracted thousands to run for charity…in speedos!

The Santa Speedo Run started on December 16th, 2000, when 5 intrepid men ran down the streets of Boston in nothing but speedos and grey Santa beards.  They  ran down Newbury Street passing holiday shoppers who applauded as these five men passed by blaring a boom box with Muppet Christmas Carols.  The event has grown from 5 men to about 500 men and women runners!

This year was the first event held outside of Boston.  The Atlanta Santa Speedo Run started at Darkhorse Tavern in the Virginia Highland neighborhood.  Runners and spectators started arriving around 12:45 to have a couple of “gain confidence” drinks before the race.  The tavern was lively with runners preparing to run in the 30 degree, drizzling weather and spectators excited to see the costumes.  By 1:30 pm the Darkhorse Tavern was packed to capacity and filled with excitement.

The runners lined up on the sidewalk before the start of the “race.”  Spectators could see all of the different costumes as runners started one by one turning the corner.  From here they ran a one-mile, down and back course; giving spectators opportunities to watch the runners pass by multiple times.

Over $40,000 dollars was raised at the Atlanta event which benefited the CHRIS Kids Inc. charity whose mission is to heal children, strengthen families, and build a community through their core values of Creativity, Honor, Respect, Integrity, and Safety.  The Santa Speedo Run Boston has raised over $420,000 dollars for various charities.

The Santa Speedo Run was an exciting event for both runners and spectators alike.  You don’t always have to be serious about your running, but you should be serious about something.

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