This weekend I took off my pants and ran down 12th Avenue in the 35 degree, sunny New York winter weather. Not because this whacky winter has finally pushed me over the edge, but in the name of charity!

Cupid’s Undie Run NYC 2019

Cupid’s Undie Run isn’t all about freezing (and showing) your ass off! This half-naked event is about accelerating the discovery of a cure for neurofibromatosis. 100% of the net proceeds of this charity event go straight to Neurofibromatosis research.

Now, everyone with an internet connection knows words like “neurofibromatosis” make the average person click away almost as fast pictures of people in their underwear make the average person click. And that is the genius behind Cupid’s Undie Run concept.

How do you get people to take part in a charity run in the middle of winter? Cupid’s Undie Run cracked the code: Make a challenge that’s as ridiculous and fun as possible. We’ll run with it.

So what is participating in Cupid’s Undie Run actually like?

My fella and I arrived at Stage 48, the venue far west from Time’s Square, wearing totally normal clothes. No one would have suspected that underneath it all we had on matching lighting bolt underwear! We made our way inside, checked in, and headed upstairs to the “Clothes Check”. Did it make me think of that episode of Sex and the City where Stanford (Carrie’s gay best friend) goes to an underwear club? Yes. But the vibe was lighthearted and fun rather than awkward and sexual!

It’s like the No Pants Subway Ride, but for a good cause!

Once we disrobed down to our underwear, we headed to the dance floor. Cupid’s Undie Run starts with a dance party to warm every one up and normalize the whole undie thing.

Surrounding the dance floor was the protein bars and drinks that you’d expect at any charity race, but also a bar. It’s a dance party and fun run, which makes for a great winter combo. The run is only a mile, so we opted for celebratory warm up shots before.

Was it super awkward hanging out and dancing in your underwear??

Not really! No more so than a pool party! Everyone was in their underwear, so it might have felt more awkward if we had been wearing pants! The event was about having fun, not judging peoples butts. PLUS the lighting was very forgiving!

There is most every possible interpretation of “Undie Wearing” at Cupid’s Undie Run and it’s all welcome. Rock undies in whatever way that makes you feel comfortable!

Boxers! Briefs! Boy shorts! Bikini cut!

Lingerie of sorts, but no thongs. (Who would ever call a thong “undies”?

Undies over leggings!

Classic long underwear that features a flap in the back!

We danced enough to get a little sweaty and stretch out. Then right at 2PM we counted down to COLD! 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, the doors opened, freezing air flooded in, and we sprinted out into the sunshine.

Wasn’t it WAY TOO COLD to run outside in February in your undies!?

It was only a mile! Yes, it was cold, but it was exhilarating! Adrenaline was pumping! My legs did get really pink, so that was weird, but we weren’t outside more than 10 minutes.

The most awkward part was dealing with 12th Avenue traffic!

Doesn’t my boyfriend have a cute butt?

SORRY! I KNOW I SAID THIS WASN’T ABOUT JUDGING PEOPLE’S BUTTS!

BUTT, come on!

I know, I know, we’re disgustingly adorable in our matching MeUndies, I’m sorry!

OKAY BACK TO THE IMPORTANT BUSINESS OF RUNNING TO CURE NF!

Look at all these dedicated, happy runners! No one looks frostbitten at all!

This fun run was absolutely exhilarating and so much fun. Now I can say I’ve run a mile in the Naked Cowboy’s shoes. It’s the kind of thing you’ll want to tell your kids about someday, “When I was your age, we ran a mile down 12th Avenue! In our underpants! In February! (Almost) in the snow! And that’s why none of your friends have neurofibromatosis, missy!”

Cupid’s Undie Run has events all over the country. NYC was in the first weekend, so you’ll have to wait until next year to run here. But if you’re near any of these other cities, there’s still plenty of time to sign up and get your undies on for a good cause!

ATLANTA, GA • 2/16/2019
BOSTON, MA • 2/16/2019
CHEYENNE, WY • 2/16/2019
CHICAGO, IL • 2/16/2019
CLEVELAND, OH • 2/16/2019
DALLAS, TX • 2/16/2019
DAYTON, OH • 2/16/2019
DENVER, CO • 2/23/2019
GREENVILLE, SC • 2/16/2019
JACKSONVILLE, FL • 2/16/2019
PHOENIX, AZ • 2/16/2019
PITTSBURGH, PA • 2/16/2019
VIRGINIA BEACH, VA • 2/23/2019
WILMINGTON, DE • 2/16/2019

I first heard about this event from my blogger friend @Single_CLE. If you’d like to hear another first hand account of Cupid’s Undie Run, check out her blog about participating in the Cleveland run.

For more information about the charity and this event, visit cupids.org

Finally: I’ve done pretty much zero fundraising, so I’m embarrassed to share my page, but if you’d like an opportunity to donate, please do! https://my.cupids.org/Marylane. Thanks and thanks for reading!