Speedo-clad Santas sprint for a good cause
It was quite a scene on Lark Street in downtown Albany Saturday afternoon as hundreds brave the cold sporting only the bare-minimum at the 14th annual Santa Speedo Sprint.
But this race is much more than a fun holiday event.
Hosted by the Albany Society for the Advancement of Philanthropy, the 800-meter dash raises money for the Albany Damien Center and the HIV/AIDS Program at Albany Medical Center.
"Today there continues to be so much stigma around being HIV infected or having AIDS and to see so many people come out and truly show that they love us is truly incredible,”said Perry Junjulis, Executive Director at Albany Damien Center.
Junjulis said that this event helps the lives of hundreds in the Capital Region suffering from HIV/AIDS.
Organizers of the event said that this annual sprint continues to grow each year.
"Fourteen years ago we had 35 people run and eight people watch. Now, we have 300 people run and over a thousand people watch,” said Jim Larson, Race Director.
According to Larson, the Albany Santa Speedo Sprint raises about $20,000 each year.
“Over the last 13 years, we've raised over $220,000 that stays here in the local community for the Albany Damien Center and Albany Med HIV/AIDS Program,” said Larson.
