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Hundreds participate in annual naked mile run

Cold weather didn't deter hundreds of students from running in the annual Naked Mile through campus on the last day of classes.

The anual run was lead by the University's crew team to celebrate the end of the winter term.
"It's definitely something you have to do your senior year," said LSA senior and runner Drew Dullen.

This year's race began at 11:15 p.m. with the crew team leading the way. The runners started at the intersection of South University and Washtenaw streets and ended at the Cube in Regents' Plaza.

"I think if you run it later there's harassment, but we (running earlier) got stuck in the front with all the cameras," said crew member and SNRE sophomore Carrie Brecht.

On-duty Ann Arbor Police Lieutenant Don Leach said many people do not realize the danger of the race.

"There are a lot of people here that have been drinking and the traffic in the street is dangerous for the crowds of people," Leach said.

Running naked in the streets is illegal and violators are subject to 90 days in prison or a $500 fine. Leach said police officers are less worried about indecent exposure and more concerned about safety issues during the race.

"There's not much we can do about this; we just don't want people hit by cars," Leach said.

As a precautionary measure, both the University's Department of Public Safety and the Ann Arbor police provided extra supervision of the area surrounding the runners' path.

The risks, however, did not worry this year's participants.

"I'm doing it just to do it - flaunting certain social conventions," said graduate music student Ron Sweedlund.

Some of the observers did not approve of the race.

"I'm not embarrassed of my body, but I would just not want to run; it seems demeaning," said LSA sophomore Mindy Cook.