Nicole Pecha, center, of Whitewater, strips off a layer of clothing during the Nearly Naked 5K event held Dec. 7. At each mile marker, participants – both runners and walkers – took off a layer of clothing to be donated to The Clothes Closet in Whitewater. (Tom Ganser Photo)
By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
On Dec. 7, more than 100 runners and walkers from throughout Wisconsin, Illinois and even one from Iowa found a great way to take advantage of a December Sunday without a Packer game by participating in a Nearly Naked 5K race.
Scott Rupke, of Whitewater, was the top finisher and Julie Cassens, of Galt, Ill., finished second overall and first in the women’s division. Nicole Pecha, of Whitewater, was the top local finisher, coming in 13th place for women.
To put a (very) different spin on a 5K race, at each of three mile markers along the route, runners stripped off a layer of clothes as donations to the Whitewater Community Clothes Closet.
According to Bruce Masterson, the race coordinator, the Whitewater Community Clothes Closet will also receive a portion of the proceeds from the event that was produced by Plan Ahead Events of South Central Wisconsin along with 5KEvents.org.
To avoid any mishaps and make it clear that streaking wasn’t permitted, information about the Nearly Naked 5K advised: “Running nude in ANY fashion will not be permitted and subject to local enforcement.”
At the end of the race, each runner receive a finisher’s medal, a uniquely monogrammed plush robe in which to warm up, and, for those 21 and older, a ticket for a Bloody Mary (those under 21 received a free non-alcoholic drink ticket) at Randy’s Funhunters Brewery and Restaurant.
Sponsors for the Nearly Naked 5K event included: Binning & Dickens, Commercial Bank, Culvers, Dales Bootery, DLK Enterprises, First Citizens State Bank, Harrison, Williams and McDonnell, LLP, Jessica’s Restaurant, Ketterhagen Ford, Kwik Trip Stores, McCulloch’s Pharmacy & Gifts, Michael Harenza/Edward Jones, Randy’s Fun Hunters Brewery, Sentry Foods Whitewater, Tincher Realty, Tito’s Homemade Vodka, Whitewater Manufacturing, Wirtz Beverage Wisconsin, Zingg Motors, Plan Ahead Events and 5KEvents.org.
