Students bare all in Mile

"Nakedness coming through!"

That's what an unidentified person shouted while running in the annual Naked Mile, which brought more than 10,000 students and spectators to the streets of Ann Arbor on April 21.

To commemorate the last day of classes, students participated in the Naked Mile tradition by running unclothed around the University campus. The first set of runners started out at 10:30 p.m. The run ended around midnight.

ADRIANA YUGOVICH/Daily Disrobed students strut their stuff on the steps of Angell Hall on April 21 to celebrate the last day of classes, after running in the annual Naked Mile.

For many first-year students, this year's race was their introduction to the celebration of nakedness. Many students said they preferred to watch the event rather than run.

"It brings everybody together," said Colleen Cavanaugh, an LSA first-year student. "It's a great tradition."

Spectators came from afar to view the festival of nudity, which started at the Rock and ended at the Cube. Runners stumbled, many of them drunk, down South University St. and past the Diag. A chorus of unclothed students took part in a sing-a-long on the steps of the Museum of Art before a massive crowd.

Not everyone in attendance was amused by the naked revelry.

"I think it's one of the silliest things I've seen in my life," said Jill Perigo, an Ann Arbor resident.

Some participants described the experience as unique.

"It was ... the biggest rush ever," said Holly Armstrong, a Kinesiology senior.

Nursing senior Jen Fitzgerald said she was excited about running exposed through the streets of Ann Arbor.

"We're born naked, let's graduate naked," Fitzgerald said.

Some students said they chose not to run because of spectators taping the event with video cameras.

"I think (the atmosphere) is crazy," said Karen Sachs, an Arts first-year student. "I don't like the other people - the old perverted men with cameras."

Sachs said she observed many runners defending themselves against camera-wielding spectators.

"The people running were squirting (with water guns) ... the men with cameras," Sachs said.

Sarah Heuser, a SAPAC Training and Education Program coordinator, said sexual assaults at the Naked Mile were reported to SAPAC, but said the night went as well as could be expected.

"There definitely were sexual assaults reported," Heuser said. "Whoever runs in the naked mile, I hope they have the information to make an informed choice."

Many University members anticipated inappropriate behavior, but some spectators said safety was not a concern.

"I think it's funny, more or less ... harmless," said Jill Bruder, an LSA first-year student. "I think too much is being made of the harmful effects."

LSA sophomore Crystal Watson said the event was spirited but somewhat unsafe.

"You have to be out of your mind," Watson said. "It's a little bit dangerous."

A limited amount of Naked Mile t-shirts were provided for runners at the end of the race.

Some students said they spontaneously joined the run.

"We just kind of jumped in," said Marcus Stewart, an Engineering junior. "There's nothing like it."

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