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Running nude
Think you can run faster without the burden of clothing? You can find out at the Bare Buns 5K Run at Star Ranch in McDade.
The nude race kicks off at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 18. Typically, it attracts between 80 and 125 runners.
“The majority of them run in the nude,” says Debra Leverington, office manager at the family-oriented nudist park, which opened in 1957. “Usually all the men do. The heavier-chested women usually wear a sports bra. Some run barefoot, but most wear tennis shoes.”
Wondering where to put your race number? On your hat if you’re wearing one, on a string around your neck if you’re not, or directly on your shoulder, with a marker.
The cross-country course runs through the Star Ranch grounds in Bastrop County, east of Austin. There’s also a 1K fun run for kids 17 and under. Registration is $25 and includes gate fees and a race T-shirt. You can sign up between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. race day on site.
Not everyone who does the race is a year-round nudist. “For some, it’s the one time of the year they get nude,” Leverington says.
Star Ranch is a member of the American Association for Nude Recreation. It’s got swimming pools, tennis and volleyball courts and playgrounds. You can dance, hike, play shuffleboard, darts, billiards or bingo, all sans apparel. Cabins are available for rental.
“It’s not a swingers club, it’s not an alternative lifestyle club,” Leverington says. “We are a family-oriented clothing-free club … We do encourage people to be nude, because we don’t want to encourage voyeurism.”
While nudity is encouraged, it’s not required. “We’re nudists, but we’re common-sense nudists. If it’s cold, by all means wear clothes. Or if you have medical reasons, like skin cancer, wear clothes.”
The park does sexual predator and criminal background checks on everyone who walks through the gate, she says.
For more information, call 866-705-5978 or go to www.starranch.net.
Would you run nude?
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By Bob Abrahams
April 10, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this
It seems ironic that one of the things you get for your registration fee is a T-shirt. (Perhaps they could have caps instead next time.)
By Rooster
April 10, 2009 10:30 PM | Link to this
That’s pretty funny. I will admit that I have been known to go streaking around the house with my 4 year old after our “man shower”, but I don’t think I could keep at it for another 4.99k
Rooster
By 2201East
April 11, 2009 2:00 AM | Link to this
Of course I would. why would you have to ask? I would by say if a person hasn’t seen a naked man or woman by this point in their lives say 18 and above, they certainly should have! Besides, one of the nicest things about meeting people in the nude. It’s hard to be a snob. Nudity is a great equalizer.
By Robert
April 11, 2009 5:57 PM | Link to this
I live near Sacramento, another city full of runners. Laguna del Sol, just south of Sacrmento used to run a 5k/10k around their lakes each year….that was my introduction to running nude…with about 60 guys and 40 girls.
For everyone who is used to running in shorts, t-shirts, etc…running nude is a revelation. The feeling of freedom, the moving air over parts that usually aren’t out there…is amazing. I get to Laguna about 8 times every year…mostly just to get some nude running in.
Guys…don’t worry about the banging around…human males have run nude for a few million years. It’s all designed to be OK.
Girls…big chests are helped by a good bra. Smaller women seem fine without one.
Shoes/socks/a hat/sunscreen…thats all thats needed. Pamela…go run the race..nude. You only live once…go for the experience.
By gil cottrell
April 12, 2009 12:26 AM | Link to this
The best place to run in the nude would be the beach. San Onofre would be the perfect beach here in California and I would love to run and do it when there;'s not a lot of clothed people around. Hey, we don’t want to offend anyone yet the ones usually offended and make trouble over it go out of there way to go complain about the nudes even though they have to go off the beaten path to find us! It’ not like we are running in front of their house! Hell, I’d like to run in front of MY house. That would be a blast and I’m not embarrassed, I just don’t want to get arrested for something so benign!
By Jo Mulholland
April 13, 2009 1:35 AM | Link to this
Good fun!! They’re sure to enjoy. Life is short! Wish it was from Hyde Park to Bondi Beach, in Sydney!
By Pete
April 13, 2009 5:43 AM | Link to this
We have a few nude runs here in the UK, including British Naturism’s ‘Fun Run’, but I’m afraid fun and run don’t go together in vocabulary. Now if we’re talking freehiking I’m your man, and there is a lot of that around in the US, UK and Australia. There is nothing better than communing with nature dressed as nature intended. A 5K nude walk in open countryside is just what the doctor ordered for de-stressing.
By *****
April 20, 2009 2:51 PM | Link to this
I had the pleasure of running in this years race. We had about 60 runners show up. That number was lower then expected due to the heavy rains earlier in the day which left the course a bit on the muddy side. Otherwise everything went of without a hitch, and a stitch. :-) Be adventerous, do something nude once in awhile.
By Sue Butts
May 1, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this
My husband & I are race directors, B.A.R.E.~Butts A’runnin Race Enterprises, for clothing optional races held entirely on nudist resorts across the East Coast. Check us out at www.nudist5k.com for some great upcoming B.A.R.E. recreational events. What a great way to enjoy your running life!
By Howard
May 11, 2009 1:01 AM | Link to this
I have run in several of the naked 5k events handled through Butts-a-Runnin. They do a great job…. it is a great way to enjoy the day, whether you walk or run the course…. looking forward to running in my 11th one this coming weekend… H