Runners leave McPhereson Library to begin this year’s Undie Run. –Provided (photo)
On Sept. 19, UVic students stripped down to just their underwear and shoes to run around Ring Road and through campus buildings for the UVic Undie Run. They braved the not-so-warm weather to raise awareness for early detection and prevention of cancers that are below the belt, such as prostate cancer. Organized since 2011 by the UVic chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon and Youth Against Cancer, a campus club, the run was intended to bring students together to fight for a cause.
“The Undie Run itself is not an original idea that came from us,” said Roy Nam, an organizer of the event. “It was an initiative that started from the Canadian Cancer Society. We adapted it and made the UVic Undie Run.”
The run started at 12:30 p.m., followed by subsequent runs every hour until 4 p.m. to allow students with busy academic schedules to contribute. From the starting line at McPherson Library, the course continued halfway down Ring Road and into the Student Union Building. To Nam and his fellow organizer, Matt Power, the run is about catching the eye of the public.
“We do half of Ring Road [because it’s] the area where there’s a lot of traffic so people can see us,” said Nam. Both he and Power hope that, along with cancer awareness, this yearly event brings students together.
“Throughout the year, we found that it would be nice to have a charity event that kind of raises school spirit and for all students from first year to fourth year to get together and raise awareness and fundraise for a good cause, especially in the beginning of the year,” said Nam.
Runners were also entered to win many different prizes, such as gift cards for pizza, water bottles, pens, bags, movie tickets, merchandise from Frontrunners, and Rockstar energy drinks. In the past, the event has raised $1 000 yearly on average, but donations were up considerably this year. After factoring in last-minute donations, Nam said the final amount raised was $2 888.
