Fri. December 6, 2024
The annual Santa Speedo Run Northalsted comes frolicking through Lakeview on Saturday, December 7, when 200-plus will run the 1-mile course through the Chicago neighborhood commonly called Boystown, clad in nothing more than Santa hats, speedos and other holiday attire.
Eye-candy is plentiful.
“We are very excited for the 13th annual Santa Speedo Run Northalsted. This year has been another record-breaking event, and the community has really come together to make something special happen,” said Sidetrack general manager Brad Balof.
Sign-in starts at 12noon Saturday at Sidetrack and participants step off at 2 p.m.
Awards will be presented at 2:30 p.m., with entertainment and door prizes.
The event’s after-party is from 4-8 p.m., at Sidetrack – and the popular Chicago video bar is open until 3 a.m.
“This event is special in that it raises as much, or more, than many black-tie gala type events while still being a fun and flirty gay ‘ol time,” Balof said.
The Santa Speedo Run Northalsted has been a Chicago staple since 2021, and a major annual fundraiser for the Center on Halsted.
This year’s fundraising goal for the event is $150,000.
“Sidetrack has been hosting the race for more than 10 years and is thrilled to help raise funds for the Center on Halsted,” Balof said.
The husband duo of Karl Sponholtz and Jeff Colgan started the run with a simple goal: to create a fun charity event that directly involves and benefits members of the LGBTQ community. “This event will always be approached in the spirit with which Jeff and Karl created it,” Balof said.
David Roberts is, once again, the top fundraiser, having raised more than $17,000.
The Santa Speedo Run Northalsted “is always so much fun,” Balof said. “Every year tops the last. I remember a year when the runners coming up Belmont Avenue encountered a wedding party on the steps of the church. Somewhere, there’s a set of wedding photos with the happy straight couple posing with a bunch of gay guys in holiday speedos.”
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