There was a lot of nudity at the Nearly Naked Mile
Props to them for bearing the chilly weather
This Saturday I walked in to the library thinking it was a normal day in Iowa City, haunted by the demons of last night, cloaked in the gloom of March weather and hangovers. Three or so painful hours later, I walked out, ready to go take a nap on my futon.
Just outside of the south entrance I was suddenly overwhelmed by loud music and a lot of very under dressed people. I had stumbled upon the finish line of the infamous Nearly Naked Mile.
When I asked Tom Kirkwood (above) if he ran the mile or the 5k he insisted:
“I ran the 5k. The mile is just a warm up.”
He’s 72.
The Nearly Naked Mile (emphasis on nearly) has been going on for eight years now in Iowa City, sponsored by S.T.A.T (Students Today Alumni Tomorrow).
The only requirement to register is that you bring at least one item of clothing to donate to the Johnson County United Action for Youth; the idea being that the clothes you wear to the race are the ones that you strip out of and donate before you actually run.
Even once the pre-registration had passed, the Nearly Naked Mile accepted walk ins the day of the race.
Right to left: Claire Carlson (Freshman, Business Management), Ted Paulsen (Freshman, Chemical Engineering), Sam Werner (Freshman, Actuarial Scene) Emilee Benedict (Freshman, Biology), and Haley Roudabusch (Freshman, Elementary Education) pose after fishing the 5k
Freshman Claire Carlson said:
“I want to do it again next year, but wear a fun costume.”
Classic freshman move, Claire: prizes are actually awarded for the best individual and group costumes (peep my boy Tom photobombing)! I left the race feeling guilty that I’d been complaining about sitting in the warm library with snacks and coffee while all these brave souls were out running in the 30 degree weather, sporting speedos and smiles, AND donating to a good cause.
Adam Wilkinson, a Freshman Bio Med major, was more on my page when he insisted that he only ran the mile.
“I’m fat which was good for warmth but not so much for speed.”
He joked as he took of his sweatpants to give us the full effect of his outfit.
It’s always a good day when nudity, exercise, and charity collide.
Thank you to the Nearly Naked Mile for making that dream a reality.