Society Continues Death Spiral, As Runners Speed Naked Through Detroit Streets

This morning, a thousand people stripped to their underwear and ran near-naked through the streets of downtown Detroit.

I don’t know how I missed this event last year, but the Cupid Undie Run is apparently big stuff, not only here in Michigan but in cities across America.   This isn’t Ann Arbor’s “Naked Mile,” in which a bunch of drunk fraternity boys run through a college town under cover of night, as overwhelmed police look the other way.  This is US–American citizens, old and young, male and female, “putting the hilarity in charity” and making fools of themselves on a cold winter morning in Detroit.

The Detroit News reports:

The Detroit event was one of 34 across the country and in Australia.

On Saturday, the fun run took underwear clad participants on a roughly mile-long track around Grand Circus Park and Comerica Park.

Before and after the race, runners gathered inside the Fillmore theater for drinks and dancing.

And don’t bother with them ol’ clothes, folks.  The Cupid’s Undie Run website says,

Arrive early and stay late… and feel free to remain pants-less the entire time!

The event is a Valentine’s fundraiser for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.  Dan Gilbert, founder and Chairman of Quicken Loans, has a child with neurofibromatosis, and he was instrumental in getting the run to come to Detroit for the first time last year.  This year, he pledged matching funds up to $1,000 in pledges for each runner in Detroit and Cleveland who raises at least $500.

OK, so a good time was had by all.  I’ve got to venture an opinion, though:

THIS IS A CHEAP, DENIGRATING STUNT which signals the further deterioration of American culture.  You need funds?  Find some respectable way to reach your goal.

KEEP IT CLASSY, AMERICA.