In many ways, the 5 km I ran on Saturday was like any other race: the tall, thin boys jumped fast ahead. The spectators rang the ccowbells.

But the audience was naked.

 

This is because the race was part of the Optional 5K Bouncing Buns clothing at Sunny Rest Resort, a nudist resort in Palmerton, Pennsylvania.

 

"Many of us stop doing unconventional things, especially as we get older," said Ron Horn, race director and co-owner of Pretzel City Sports, which started the race.

 

I ran a few races in Pretzel City clothing (or "textiles", as they are called naked runners), but the nude competition never attracted me, especially when there were another million races to run.

 

But this year it caught my attention in part, because almost all other races were canceled because of the coronavirus. In this pandemic season, when we cover our faces in public, why not reveal the rest? What a fun way to experience some freedom in times of fear, pain, limitation and frustration.

 

But I hesitated. I went to the "extra" pools in Las Vegas, so nudity wasn't that important. But running empty? He seemed so uncomfortable.

 

And yet: I kept getting emails about this race, a year later flooded with bad news that came very close to my house. In March, four members of my family fell ill with Covid-19. In June, my brother was in the hospital for a few weeks after a driver overturned him while riding his bicycle.

 

I spent five months trying to find glimmers of joy in small, simple things, like the sight of a bird in a tree I planted last year or the feeling of my dog's very soft ear. But the idea of ​​something big, extravagant, which would get me out of my discouragement, had a certain appeal.

 

Running is great, especially naked in the opinion of the runners. It is a great way for them to reveal quarantine stress and to enjoy this pandemic summer. It is a more specific running way, but who enjoys, is free to try, pulling the trigger of adrenaline and self confidence.