March 29, 2024
Annapolis, US 52 F

2012 Santa Speedo Run Draws Record Crowd

By noon, the music of Sly 45 was wafting over West Street from a giant white tent in the parking lot of Stan & Joe’s Saloon.  By 1:30pm, more than 500 people ran out and took to the streets for the 5th Annual Santa Speedo Run. There were 400 pre-registered and plenty of walk-up runners.

Runners in some form of santa speedo garb paid $25 for the fun run which was about a mile from Stan & Joe’s down to Susan Campbell Park and back.  Spectators stood and applauded and cheered as the runners made their way through Historic Annapolis. The best faces were on the unsuspecting tourists or the wedding party that was posing for photos on picturesque Main Street.

After the 15 minute run, the Santas crowded the sidewalk and West Street for a group photo and then retreated into the heated tent to party with local favorite, The Rovers.

Yes, it’s another silly Annapolis but with a good heart. For $5 and an unwrapped toy, supporters, passersby, and spectators could come into the tent and hob nob with the Santas, eat some Stan & Joe’s cooking, drink some frosty beverages, and jam out with The Rovers and Sly 45.

The toys are to make Christmas a little brighter for some children in our own community and will be distributed via several local charities including local fire departments, We Care And Friends, and the Wellness House.

Eddie McGowan, bass and bagpipe player for The Rovers, has organized this for five years. “My mother-in-law turned me onto this from an event she saw in Boston, and we just ran with it. What started out with a few dozen has grown into this.”

In a year marred with sadness, it is events like these that allow us to take a break, laugh a little, and put a sile on a child’s face on Christmas morning, and for that we say thank you!

To view all of the photos (all 650 of them) please visit our online gallery. Feel free to download them and use them as you want.

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