Cupid’s Undie Run Begins 2nd Decade in D.C. (photos)

For the 11th time, hundreds of hardy individuals jogged along city streets wearing nothing but their underwear to raise money for charity at Cupid’s Undie Run in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Feb. 8.

Before and after the “brief” 1.6-mile run through downtown, participants were able to loosen up at Penn Social in Penn Quarter. Temperatures, which hovered in the low 40s, served as an added inducement for runners to put in some of their peronal best times. Top finisher Erik Prince from D.C. completed the course in 9.45 minutes.

Cupid’s Undie Run, which started as a local event in the District on Valentine’s Day weekend in 2010, has now expanded to 40 U.S. cities over four weekends, plus another 15 locations in Australia. Organizers are looking to expand into Canada next season.

All of the proceeds support the Children’s Tumor Foundation’s fight against neurofibromatosis, also known as NF, which affects the nervous systems of small children. The genetic disease, which can cause blindness, deafness, learning disabilities and severe chronic pain, affects one in every 3,000 children.

Brendan Hanrahan, Bobby Gill and Chad Leathers came up with the idea for the run, which was first held on Capitol Hill. Leathers’s brother Drew was affected by NF, and the founders wanted to do something to raise money for research on the disorder. They expected about 100 racers that first year, but more than 600 showed up, raising $10,000. In 2012, Cupid’s Charity became a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit; since its inception, $18.9 million has been raised.

Hanrahan was back in D.C. for the 2020 run. He was joined by race directors Ashley Casper and Anna L. The 2020 D.C. event raised more than $121,000, an increase of close to 10 percent over a year ago.

Those interested in learning more about and donating to the Children’s Tumor Foundation should click here.

View Jeff Malet’s photos from the 2020 Cupid’s Undie Run in D.C. by clicking on the photo icons below.

tagscharityCupid's Undie RunfundraiserrunrunningunderwearValentine's Day