Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run returns to Boystown, Saturday Dec. 3
Fri. December 2, 2016 7:54 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
jeff colgan and karl sponholtz, 2013
photo credit // anthony meade
Chicago, IL -
This Saturday, Dec. 3, the streets of Boystown will once again be filled with scantily-clad Santas, randy reindeer and other holiday hunks running through the chilly streets of Chicago's gayborhood as the Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run for a sixth year.
Karl Sponholtz and his partner Jeff Colgan adapted the event from similar runs held around the country (the Windy City branch raises money for the Chicago Diabetes Project) in an effort to create a fun winter event that would bring the Chicago LGBT community together to directly benefit local nonprofits.
The first event was held in December of 2011 in Andersonville and, after only two weeks of planning, 50 runners (both male and female) and 150 supporters came out on a brisk 28 degree day to raise $3,000 for Vital Bridges.
After the tremendous success of their first year, which including packing sponsor bar Sofo Tap to capacity, the duo decided to move Most Fabulous Santa Speedo run to Sidetrack in Boystown. Year two more than doubled participation to attract 150 runners and nearly 350 supporters who gathered for a day of caroling, entertainment and door prizes.
As in years past, there will be a $25 minimum to run and every dollar goes directly to charity. This year's beneficiary is Center on Halsted's Youth Housing Initiative.
After sign-in and registration, the whole group will join together for a chorus of "Jingle Balls" -- Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run's yearly anthem. The runners then split into two groups (team "naughty" runs clockwise while team "nice" goes counterclockwise) and head out to run one mile along Halsted, Belmont, Broadway and Addison, clad only their holiday attire.
Costumes in the past have ranged from simply speedos or bikinis, Santa hats and running shoes to garland-laced harnesses, red peek-a-boo union suits, reindeers in drag, strategically placed bows and more.
Not interested in being a runner? Join the throngs of supporters and official Santa Warmers cheering the runners on and waiting for them at the finish line with mittens and coats. After the chilly jaunt through Boystown, all participants and supporters regroup back at Sidetrack for an afternoon of awards, entertainment and prizes.
Registration begins promptly at noon, with "Jingle Balls" slotted for 1:30 p.m. and the run itself starting at 2 p.m. The awards, entertainment and door prizes, hosted by Debbie Fox, begins at 2: 30 p.m.
Karl Sponholtz and his partner Jeff Colgan adapted the event from similar runs held around the country (the Windy City branch raises money for the Chicago Diabetes Project) in an effort to create a fun winter event that would bring the Chicago LGBT community together to directly benefit local nonprofits.
The first event was held in December of 2011 in Andersonville and, after only two weeks of planning, 50 runners (both male and female) and 150 supporters came out on a brisk 28 degree day to raise $3,000 for Vital Bridges.
After the tremendous success of their first year, which including packing sponsor bar Sofo Tap to capacity, the duo decided to move Most Fabulous Santa Speedo run to Sidetrack in Boystown. Year two more than doubled participation to attract 150 runners and nearly 350 supporters who gathered for a day of caroling, entertainment and door prizes.
As in years past, there will be a $25 minimum to run and every dollar goes directly to charity. This year's beneficiary is Center on Halsted's Youth Housing Initiative.
After sign-in and registration, the whole group will join together for a chorus of "Jingle Balls" -- Most Fabulous Santa Speedo Run's yearly anthem. The runners then split into two groups (team "naughty" runs clockwise while team "nice" goes counterclockwise) and head out to run one mile along Halsted, Belmont, Broadway and Addison, clad only their holiday attire.
Costumes in the past have ranged from simply speedos or bikinis, Santa hats and running shoes to garland-laced harnesses, red peek-a-boo union suits, reindeers in drag, strategically placed bows and more.
Not interested in being a runner? Join the throngs of supporters and official Santa Warmers cheering the runners on and waiting for them at the finish line with mittens and coats. After the chilly jaunt through Boystown, all participants and supporters regroup back at Sidetrack for an afternoon of awards, entertainment and prizes.
Registration begins promptly at noon, with "Jingle Balls" slotted for 1:30 p.m. and the run itself starting at 2 p.m. The awards, entertainment and door prizes, hosted by Debbie Fox, begins at 2: 30 p.m.