Triathletes blow off steam in their underpants
Posted Oct 08, 2009 6:10 PM
KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii -Two days before the Ironman World Championship, hundreds of athletes showed off some of their best stuff.
The Underpants Run started as a way to poke fun at European triathletes strolling around town in their Speedos. The 12th annual charitable event has grown into a much anticipated pre-race spectacle on the Big Island.
Thursday morning, 400 athletes trooped along a mile of the famous race course, dressed in their finest undergarments.
Paul Huddle is a retired triathlete and Underpants Run organizer. He says the world championship is an important race for the athletes, and the charity event "is just a fun way to release some of the pre-race tension."
The event raised more than $5,000 for local charities, including West Hawaii Special Olympics.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
2009-10-08 18:45:26