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Pomp and panties: San Francisco runners strip down to their underwear to raise money for AIDS group

People dressed in underwear and Santa costumes rung across the street during a underwear fun run.
Runners take off from the starting point outside the Lookout bar for Santa Skivvies 2023: Holiday Underwear Run Through the Castro, benefiting San Francisco AIDS Foundation in San Francisco on Sunday. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
By Stephanie K. Baer

Dressed in flashy red undies, Santa hats and almost nothing else, hundreds walked, strutted and ran through San Francisco’s Castro District on Sunday for a holiday-themed fun run.

The annual Santa Skivvies Run benefits the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, which provides STI/HIV testing and treatment, PrEP navigation, mental health support and other services in the community.

The event also featured a Santa drag show, awards for the top fundraisers and a photo booth with St. Nick himself. Participants got to take home a pair of special Santa Skivvies Run underwear after finishing the one-mile course.

People dressed in underwear and Santa costumes rung across the street during a underwear fun run.
Participants run through the Castro in their skivvies on Sunday. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
A person wears a gold necklace that reads that reads HoHoHo
A participant shows off their holiday-themed bling at the Santa Skivvies Run. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
A person dressed in a Santa's outfit talks with people before an underwear fun run
A drag performer entertains Santa Skivvies runners and other onlookers. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Two People dressed in underwear kiss Santa Claus.
Participants take photos at the selfie booth with Santa Claus. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Shirtless men with red scarves and black felt snowmen buttons post for a photo
Team Frosty Feet poses for a photo at Santa’s Village before the run. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
People dressed in underwear and Santa costumes rung across the street during a underwear fun run.
Participants make their way down Castro Street. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
Two men wearing glasses talk to each other as a shirtless man in a Santa hat looks on
State Sen. Scott Wiener talks with Supervisor Rafael Mandelman at Santa’s Village. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
People dressed in underwear are presented at trophy following an underwear fun fun in San Francisco.
Team Twunk Ho Ho Ho accepts an award for being a top fundraiser. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard
People dressed in underwear drink cocktails and socialize.
Team Frosty Feet celebrates over drinks after finishing the run. | Source: Camille Cohen for The Standard

Stephanie K. Baer can be reached at sbaer@sfstandard.com

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