Speedo Sprinters Bare It All for Great ‘Claus’

Mild but rainy conditions are expected for Saturday's annual Santa Speedo Sprint in Albany. While temperatures are expected to be relatively comfortable for those who plan to be scantily clad, rainy and slick conditions could force runners to dodge puddles as they make their way down Lark Street.

I love this event and I get a great view of the finish line from my condo in Center Square.  Hundreds of runners participate every year in the annual Albany Santa Speedo Sprint; a concrete and cobblestone version of a polar plunge.

The 14th annual event will begin registration at Lionheart Pub from 11 a.m.-1:45 p.m. The actual sprint, about 800 yards or 1/2 a mile, starts 2 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS program at Albany Medical Center.

Sprinters can wear just about anything they want and while die-hards and purists wear  just speedos, I've seen shark costumes, full on Santa costumes, Christmas trees, even three-piece suits.