jeff colgan (left) and karl sponholtz (right) with jay cavey
photo credit // anthony meade
Second annual event, Saturday, Dec. 1
Chicago, IL -
Halloween and Christmas converge on Saturday, December 1, when the second annual Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run comes to Boystown, bringing with it hoards of swimsuit-clad runners jogging a mile through the chilly streets of Chicago's gayborhood.
The Santa Speedo Run started in Boston in 2000 and thereafter migrated west to the Windy City, where the mainstream event raises money for the Chicago Diabetes Project. Last year, Karl Sponholtz and his partner Jeff Colgan adopted the idea in an effort to create an event that would directly benefit the LGBT community here in Chicago. The decision was instinctual, as Sponholtz told ChicagoPride.com, "gay men and speedos go together like Lady Gaga and an outrageous wig!"
Chicago's first Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run was held on Dec. 10, 2011 - a brisk 28 degree winter afternoon - in Andersonville.
"Last year was planned only two weeks prior to the run and we hoped to raise a few hundred dollars with some friends," Sponholtz continued. "Instead, over 150 people arrived to raise nearly $3,000 on one of the coldest days of the year - that's a success!"
This year's sign-ups are already exceeding last year's numbers, so the duo decided to move the event from Andersonville, where sponsor bar Sofo Tap was filled to capacity last year, down to Sidetrack in Boystown. They expect over 300 to attend the event, which will once again raise money for Vital Bridges, a program of Heartland Health Outreach that strives to help people throughout metropolitan Chicago who are impacted by HIV/AIDS through programs such as food distribution, nutrition counseling and housing coordination.
There is a $25 fundraising minimum to participate in the event, which consists of running one mile in the cold, clad in nothing but a santa hat, running shoes and a speedo, or some other holiday-themed costume.
"In addition to our sexy Santas in speedos, we're expecting even more creative and outrageous holiday-themed costumes," Sponholtz said. "We'd love to see teams sign up this year -- maybe one team can dress as Santa's reindeer? We expect to truly live up to the name, Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run!"
There will be a prize for the top fundraiser as well as a Christmas raffle. DS Tequila has generously offered half-price food for all participants on the day of the run and a myriad of other local businesses, like Taverna 750, Burke's Public House, Windy City Sweets and Sagin, LLC, have donated to the raffle.
Those who aren't up for a scantily-clad run through the heart of Boystown are encouraged to become an official Santa Warmer, cheering runners on and waiting at the finish line with mittens and coats. The event promises plenty of fun, drinking and singing of Christmas carols, including "Jingle Balls," which Sponholtz calls their "tour de force."
"There's nothing better than being a part of something that will continue to grow over the years -- we remember when Market Days was only a few blocks long and attended by a few hundred people.," Sponholtz said. "We promise to keep adding to the fun every year and have even bigger plans for the future, but we need everyone's support now! This event will always directly give back to our community, and we are proud to host it."
Sign-ups start at noon at Sidetrack, 3349 Halsted St., with the run itself scheduled to take place at 2:00 p.m. For more information, or to see pictures from last year's event, check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Most-Fabulous-Santa-Speedo-Run/300941586597281 and RSVP to their Facebook event: facebook.com/events/441368779253779.
(Event details on CalendarQ)
The Santa Speedo Run started in Boston in 2000 and thereafter migrated west to the Windy City, where the mainstream event raises money for the Chicago Diabetes Project. Last year, Karl Sponholtz and his partner Jeff Colgan adopted the idea in an effort to create an event that would directly benefit the LGBT community here in Chicago. The decision was instinctual, as Sponholtz told ChicagoPride.com, "gay men and speedos go together like Lady Gaga and an outrageous wig!"
Chicago's first Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run was held on Dec. 10, 2011 - a brisk 28 degree winter afternoon - in Andersonville.
"Last year was planned only two weeks prior to the run and we hoped to raise a few hundred dollars with some friends," Sponholtz continued. "Instead, over 150 people arrived to raise nearly $3,000 on one of the coldest days of the year - that's a success!"
This year's sign-ups are already exceeding last year's numbers, so the duo decided to move the event from Andersonville, where sponsor bar Sofo Tap was filled to capacity last year, down to Sidetrack in Boystown. They expect over 300 to attend the event, which will once again raise money for Vital Bridges, a program of Heartland Health Outreach that strives to help people throughout metropolitan Chicago who are impacted by HIV/AIDS through programs such as food distribution, nutrition counseling and housing coordination.
There is a $25 fundraising minimum to participate in the event, which consists of running one mile in the cold, clad in nothing but a santa hat, running shoes and a speedo, or some other holiday-themed costume.
"In addition to our sexy Santas in speedos, we're expecting even more creative and outrageous holiday-themed costumes," Sponholtz said. "We'd love to see teams sign up this year -- maybe one team can dress as Santa's reindeer? We expect to truly live up to the name, Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run!"
There will be a prize for the top fundraiser as well as a Christmas raffle. DS Tequila has generously offered half-price food for all participants on the day of the run and a myriad of other local businesses, like Taverna 750, Burke's Public House, Windy City Sweets and Sagin, LLC, have donated to the raffle.
Those who aren't up for a scantily-clad run through the heart of Boystown are encouraged to become an official Santa Warmer, cheering runners on and waiting at the finish line with mittens and coats. The event promises plenty of fun, drinking and singing of Christmas carols, including "Jingle Balls," which Sponholtz calls their "tour de force."
"There's nothing better than being a part of something that will continue to grow over the years -- we remember when Market Days was only a few blocks long and attended by a few hundred people.," Sponholtz said. "We promise to keep adding to the fun every year and have even bigger plans for the future, but we need everyone's support now! This event will always directly give back to our community, and we are proud to host it."
Sign-ups start at noon at Sidetrack, 3349 Halsted St., with the run itself scheduled to take place at 2:00 p.m. For more information, or to see pictures from last year's event, check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Most-Fabulous-Santa-Speedo-Run/300941586597281 and RSVP to their Facebook event: facebook.com/events/441368779253779.
(Event details on CalendarQ)
