Cupid's Undie Run

What better way to spend a Sunday lunch than running around in your undies.  I for one couldn't think of a better way so I signed up for Cupid's Undie Run 2018.  Although much effort was expended I couldn't convince any of my friends or colleagues to join me.  Not even the lure of supporting such a great cause as trying to end neurofibromatosis could convince them, so it seems, I was on my own.

I rocked up at Nobby's SLSC right on time and was quite surprised to be the only bloke in just undies.  Now, there were plenty of guys in drag or some kind of costume but no others in just undies so the normally very confident me was somewhat nervous.  A quick call to my bestie Johny got my head in the game and confidence restored, thanks mate!  Mind you, there were plenty of ladies trotting around in next to nothing so we were all in the same boat.

A few minutes later we were all lined up out the front of the SLSC for a very camp warm up session of aerobics.  Our gay instructor was perfectly dressed with tight, hot-pink pants and pink leg warmers.  He had everyone in stitches trying to keep up with his dance moves and did a fabulous job of warming everyone up.

After our warm up we gathered across by the start of the breakwall for the race.  Admittedly, this wasn't a serious 2km race but I heard my coach, Melissa, in my head saying "everyone is dead to you, run!" so that's exactly what I did.

I took off as quickly as I could partly because the concrete was bloody hot on bare feet but also because I didn't think there were too many serious runners so I was in with a chance of winning.  Making my way out the breakwall I was holding a 3:30 pace in my little red undies and bare feet.  Quite hilariously, people just looked at me with either a smirk or a giggle. One guy asked if I lost a bet!

Turning around at about the kilometre mark I had a chance to see how I was tracking.  So far I was way in front so I slowed a bit to around 4:00 to try and catch my breath.  I passed all the other undie runners on the way back and we all just laughed and cheered each other on. 

Crossing the finish line I was totally spent.  A reporter for the Newcastle Herald was waiting for a quick interview, which was awesome.  I later found out I made page 6 of the paper!  Step aside Kardashians, there's a new celebrity in town!

I spent the rest of the event chatting with our gay aerobics instructor (legend of a bloke) and many other runners.  Met some great people and had some great chats.  Everyone was on such a high and it just felt great to be supporting such a worthy cause.

I will certainly be back next year!

Race day stats: