The organizers of the Nearly Naked Mile held an afterparty for students who participated with food, energy shots and Celsius drinks, and a DJ set up. Students gathered in the yard of the Koenig Alumni center to dance and hang out on Friday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
On Thursday, Sept. 29, the University of Colorado Boulder’s Herd hosted their 15th annual Nearly Naked Mile to support local community organizations. This year’s event featured Clothes To Kids of Denver, a non-profit that helps Denver youth in need, and Pig & Pearl Second Hand Thrift, a Boulder-based shop that offers a monthly match giving program for rescue organizations.
“We try to reach out to five organizations for this event,” said Sophie Nied, a volunteer with The Herd. “We have partnered with Clothes to Kids of Denver the most, but we still try to contact unfamiliar organizations each year.”
Staff for the Nearly Naked Mile greeted students and helped them register for the event upon entry to the Koenig Alumni Center. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
Nearly Naked Mile staff checked students in with their BuffOne cards and provided them with wristbands for food and drinks after their runs. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
The annual Nearly Naked Mile began 15 years ago with the mission of “taking your clothes off and giving them to someone else,” according to Nied.
Through this event, the Herd hopes to encourage students to become more involved with on-campus events, while also engaging with the community.
For this year’s Nearly Naked Mile, the doors opened at 6:30 p.m. at the Koenig Alumni Center. To participate, students had to donate at least five articles of clothing, and in return, they received a free complimentary fanny pack. The donated clothing would be given to the Herd’s two partner organizations after the event.
After entry to the Koenig Alumni center’s yard, students walked towards tables where staff accepted charity clothing donations. Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
Students stretched just moments before the start of the mile long run through CU Boulder’s campus on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
Then, students lined up for the race. Many of the participants, who had just finished chugging their energy drinks, seemed ready to run.
Then, at exactly 7 p.m., the race began. After a climactic countdown, they took off and carved their way through the fence surrounding the start line, racing each other to get over the Varsity Lake Bridge.
Stripped down to their undergarments, they took a liberating one-mile run through campus. The run continued past Folsom Field, circled Farrand Field, then proceeded down 18th Street and finished with a final sprint back to Koenig Alumni Center.
CU Boulder’s buffalo mascot, Chip, poses with students participating in the Nearly Naked Mile on the night of Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
Students used markers and face painting supplies provided by the organizers of the Nearly Naked Mile on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
Once they reached the finish line, students were greeted with applause, followed by a glass of water. After all of students had returned to Koenig, the after-party began. Students celebrated their one-mile victory for charity by dancing to live music and socializing with fellow Buffs.
The party included a live DJ set, food catered by Boss Lady Pizza and pop-up stands, where volunteers handed out Celsius and Red Bull drinks, immunity shots, glow sticks and body paint.
“If I was still in my college years I would have loved participating in this event” said Diane Burns, the front house manager of Boss Lady Pizza, who was attending the event for the first time. “I went back to the store and was telling everyone about it. The event definitely shook up a lot of interest.”
Students gathered at the start line in the yard of the Koenig Alumni Center moments before the start on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
Students cheered as they finished their run for the Nearly Naked Mile through CU Boulder’s Campus on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
“This is such a great event to get students involved,” Burns continued. “Given the COVID-19 cancellations in the past, it was nice to see people dancing and having fun in their outfits.”
The Nearly Naked Mile is certainly a unique tradition at CU Boulder, which makes for a fun and memorable night for students and community members alike.
“We only do this event in Boulder,” Nied said. “We always have such a great turnout, and the people here make the event even better.”
Students dance in the Koenig Alumni Center’s yard after finishing the Nearly Naked Mile on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. The scene was showered with glow-stick necklaces, bright and colorful undergarments and body paint. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
A student stood amongst others dancing during the after party of the Nearly Naked Mile on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. (Io Hartman/CU Independent)
Contact CU Independent Assistant Arts Editor Lauren Schaffler at lauren.schaffler@colorado.edu.
Contact CU Independent Head Visuals Editor Io Hartman at io.hartman@colorado.edu.
