The Santa Speedo Run is a fun event that supports the Play Ball Foundation. Hundreds of people gather in the New England winter to “run” slightly less than a mile wearing either a Speedo or other holiday garb. Pre-game and post-game factor into the event - everyone gets the nerve up to run, and then spends time boasting about how difficult it was. So you can join the run, and support a great cause while having a hilarious time with your crew.
$10,000
What is Santa Speedo?
The Santa Speedo Run occurs every year the Saturday before the Holiday break. Hundreds of runners raise money to support the work of the Play Ball Foundation to increase sports opportunities for middle school students in under resourced communities in Massachusetts. Play Ball creates school-based middle school sports leagues for over 2,000 students in Boston, Lawrence, and Holyoke.
WHY
WHEN & WHERE
Saturday
Dec 12, 2020
1:00pm EST
$100,000
$25,000
$40,000
$55,000
$70,000
$85,000
WHO
Anyone 21+ who wants to be a part of the effort
TO REGISTER AND FUNDRAISE
WHERE
This being 2020, the run will be done in small groups across Greater Boston. In these days of COVID, we will be doing the Run from a multitude of places, socially distanced. Historically, the SSR has launched from a bar in the Back Bay. In 2019, the Back Bay Social Club was the host of the kick off. The run started and ended at the corner of Gloucester Street and Boylston Street in Boston. The course is an approximate 1-mile jog down Boylston Street to Berkeley Street, then up Newbury Street back to Gloucester Street. Pre and post-run festivities were held at Back Bay Social Club.
How It All Began
It began as a whim. At 2:23PM on Saturday, December 16th, 2000, five men wearing nothing but Santa hats, Santa beards and Speedos ran past the crowd of holiday shoppers on Newbury Street, Boston’s high-end shopping district. They didn’t know what to expect. The short-term response was encouraging: the crowd of holiday shoppers erupted into earth-shattering applause, screaming and cheering for them. The longer term effect was miraculous: a twenty year tradition that has raised nearly $2 million for various local children’s nonprofits.
What do I wear?
- Speedo's are the traditional garb of the event, but are not necessary
-
Festive holiday gear is strongly encouraged -
Sneakers -
Santa hat, beard, and other holiday flair at your discretion
How does the virtual part work?
There will be small group sites (3 or fewer) throughout the area.
What is the cost and fundraising goals?
Anything else I need to know?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
In the years since that first run, the number of runners has increased exponentially from the original five to over 500 annual participants at its height, and has supported multiple non profits. In 2012, the SSRun became aligned to the individual cause of raising money for Play Ball.
SOCIALIZE + PROMOTE
The more people who know about the Santa Speedo Run, the better! The easiest form of getting involved is simply following and socializing with us on social media.
@santaspeedorun
